Youthlink Activity Specialist - Service Learning (Polo Grounds 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. 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, and college readiness programs.

Service Learning Specialists are responsible for developing and facilitating meaningful experiences that connect high school youth to their communities through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership development. 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 to thrive.
• Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed and 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

• 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.

Commitment

Able to work varying hours, 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.

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, where the finalist falls in this range will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Schedule

Start Date: September 7th, 2026. Location: Polo Grounds Cornerstone - New York, NY