Youthlink Activity Specialist - Service Learning (New South Bronx Center)

Who we are: The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization and has been a vibrant and vital institution, serving as an effective, critical bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL operates diverse programs for children as young as 2 years old to young adults, including Head Start, after-school programs, summer day camps, evening teen centers, college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. A cornerstone of our youth development strategy includes offering competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages.

About the Role

Service Learning Specialists develop and facilitate meaningful experiences that connect high school youth to their communities through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership development. Specialists design projects combining community service with reflection, skill-building, and youth voice, helping participants understand civic responsibility while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They cultivate partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, and local stakeholders to create engaging service opportunities addressing community needs. The Youthlink Activity Specialist will report to the Teen Supervisor and be supported by the Youthlink Director.

Responsibilities

• Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate service-learning projects, volunteer opportunities, and civic engagement activities that promote leadership, community involvement, and positive youth development.
• Implement professionally developed curricula.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and community stakeholders to identify meaningful service opportunities and coordinate youth participation.
• Facilitate reflection activities before, during, and after service experiences, monitor participant engagement and outcomes, maintain required documentation, and ensure all service activities are conducted safely and in alignment with program goals.
• Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs 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.
• Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed.
• Interact with caretakers and keep open lines of communication.

Requirements

• Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
• Able to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services, Youth Development, Public Administration, Community Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred. College coursework in the above subjects will also be considered.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with high school-aged youth in youth development, education, volunteer management, community engagement, civic education, or service-learning programs.
• Experience planning and coordinating volunteer projects, community service initiatives, or civic engagement activities with youth.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.
• Open to learning and growing; all staff will learn mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills and integrate them into programming.

Pay

The range for this role is $20-25.75 an hour, where the finalist falls in this range will be based on skills and experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Employee assistance program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement savings options.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• Training and professional development opportunities.

Schedule

Start Date: September 7th, 2026

Location: New South Bronx Center - Bronx, NY