Youthlink Activity Specialist - Life Skills (Polo Ground Cornerstone)

About the role

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization that has been serving as a bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. We are looking for Part Time Life Skills Activity Specialists who are responsible for facilitating high-quality social-emotional learning and wellness programming that supports the personal growth, resilience, and overall well-being of high school youth.

Responsibilities

The Youthlink Activity Specialist will report to the Teen Supervisor and be supported by the Youthlink Director. Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
• Facilitate stress management, wellness, and life skills workshops using NYC Department of Health-designed curriculum and other approved social-emotional learning resources to support youth resilience, coping skills, and overall well-being.
• Collaborate with program staff, school personnel, mental health professionals, and community partners to support youth wellness, maintain appropriate documentation, and ensure programming reflects the needs of participating teens.
• Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs to thrive.
• Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member.
• Provide referrals to appropriate mental health services as needed.
• Work cooperatively with Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and other Program and school staff.
• Build positive relationships with youth and caretakers and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication, and behavior.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be currently enrolled in college coursework in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Education, Public Health, or a related field. Minimum of two years of experience working with high school-aged youth in after-school, mentoring, educational, community-based, or youth development settings is preferred. Knowledge of adolescent development, social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, and youth wellness practices is also required.

• Experience facilitating workshops, group discussions, or activities focused on stress management, coping skills, wellness, or personal development is preferred.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese is preferred.
• Open to learning and growing, with all staff expected to integrate mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills into programming.

Commitment

The role requires a commitment of 15 hours per week (Tuesday to Saturday, 3 hours a day), with the ability to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training. The role also requires attendance at scheduled staff meetings, DOH coaching meetings, and professional development throughout the year.

Benefits

PAL offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance, flexible spending account options, an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, life insurance, retirement savings options, a generous paid time off policy, training and more!

Pay

The range for this role is $20-25.75 an hour, with the finalist's salary commensurate with skills and experience.

Schedule

The start date for the role is September 7th, 2026, and the location is Polo Ground Cornerstone - New York, NY.