Program Director Cornerstone - Seth Low

About the role

Founded in 1866, Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) empowers children and families to reach their full potential, strengthen families, and foster self-sufficiency in adults. With programs in over 30 locations, BCS serves more than 20,000 individuals a year. The Cornerstone Program Director reports to the Deputy Director for BCS Cornerstone programs and is based at 137 Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. The position is full‑time (35 hours per week).

Program Description: Cornerstone Programs provide academic, learning spaces and recreational opportunities to children, teens and adults in NYCHA community centers. The program runs weekdays 8:00 am–10:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am–5:00 pm, with extended hours during summer and school holidays. Learning Labs offer an 8 am–3 pm service for K‑8 students on non‑school days. Sites are located in Brownsville, Fort Greene, Sunset Park and Coney Island.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent supervision and management for all aspects of high‑quality program services delivery to clients from vulnerable populations in accordance with funder and regulatory requirements, best practices, and BCS policies and Core Values.
• Serve as a role model to all stakeholders.
• Supervise and provide coverage for direct reports: Assistant Directors, Group Leaders, Youth Leaders, Office Manager, Activity Specialists; provide on‑site coverage for staff when needed.
• Oversee day‑to‑day activities/events of the center.
• Develop educational and recreational summer and school‑year programming in accordance with DYCD, DOE and DOH/SACC guidelines.
• Ensure programs are effective and designed to achieve measurable goals aligned with BCS mission and DYCD contractual obligations.
• Maintain direct contact and reporting to DYCD Program Manager; oversee DYCD Site/Audit visits and attend DYCD Director meetings.
• Oversee and monitor the DYCD Cornerstone Database to ensure contract compliance reporting, enrollment numbers, and participation rates; pull weekly ROP/ADA and enrollment reports for review with program staff and the Deputy Director.
• Recruit, engage, and monitor all co‑locator and sub‑contractor relationships for the Cornerstone site.
• Plan, implement, and support recruitment, enrollment, retention, and referral efforts to meet contractual requirements.
• Coordinate and attend all Resident Association meetings.
• Develop, coordinate, and ensure compliance with all Youth Council meetings.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment, adhering to budget mandates.
• Handle recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, performance evaluations, and payroll for all Cornerstone center staff.
• Manage crisis intervention, address mental health and medical issues, and work with participants who have histories of trauma.
• Develop and implement staff professional development workshops responsive to youth and community needs.
• Participate in cross‑agency working groups and committees; attend training seminars, division staff meetings, and community meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or Elementary Education with strong management experience (5 years or more) required.
• MSW, MPA, MPH or equivalent Master’s Degree preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, supervisory, and team‑building skills, including the ability to motivate, align staff efforts to changing priorities, set goals, delegate responsibilities, and manage staff performance to ensure effective service delivery in accordance with organizational goals and program contracts.
• Experience with community‑based services for youth, children, and families, including advocating with participants in NYCHA housing developments.
• Proven ability to manage a professional staff and interact with the community using a strength‑based perspective.
• Hands‑on strategic thinker, planner, and problem solver, prepared to lead and direct staff through change and program development.
• Comfortable communicating with service recipients and their families, and equally comfortable training staff, presenting before elected officials, public agency administrators, and community members.
• BCS and Turning Point require that all employees entering the workplace be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 unless an exemption is granted as a medical or religious accommodation.

Pay

Salary Range: $72,000 - $75,000

Schedule

Full‑time, 35 hours per week. Program hours: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays; Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended hours during summer and school holidays.