Program Director - COMPASS After-School & Summer Program

P.S. 161 Juan Ponce De Leon School
628 Tinton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10455

Organization: Areté Education
Position Type: Full-Time (School Year and Summer Programming)
Schedule: Monday-Friday, approximately 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; evenings and weekends as needed
Location: On-Site, Bronx, NY
Salary Range: 75,000+ annually, commensurate with experience

Position Summary

The Program Director serves as the on-site leader and supervisor of the COMPASS after-school program, overseeing all aspects of program implementation, staff supervision, compliance, student engagement, and partnership development. The Program Director ensures the delivery of high-quality youth development programming while maintaining compliance with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) requirements and School-Age Child Care (SACC) regulations.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader with strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills who is passionate about supporting elementary-aged youth and fostering positive outcomes for students, families, and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Management

• Serve as the primary on-site supervisor responsible for the overall success of the COMPASS program.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate high-quality academic, enrichment, recreation, STEM, arts, wellness, and social-emotional learning activities.
• Establish and monitor program goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Ensure program quality, safety, and compliance with DYCD and SACC requirements.
• Lead annual program planning and support summer programming initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain organized program records, curriculum materials, and digital documentation.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff.
• Approve staff schedules, timesheets, and payroll submissions.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, coaching sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Provide guidance on classroom management, youth engagement, lesson planning, and instructional practices.
• Ensure proper staff-to-student ratios and coverage throughout program hours.

Student & Family Engagement

• Support student recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention efforts.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community partners.
• Coordinate family engagement events, student showcases, and special activities.

Compliance & Data Management

• Ensure accurate attendance tracking and reporting using required systems.
• Maintain all program documentation, staff files, certifications, and compliance records.
• Monitor health, safety, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness procedures.
• Submit reports and documentation required by Areté Education, DYCD, and school partners.

Partnership & Community Relations

• Serve as the liaison between Areté Education, P.S. 161 administration, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Participate in regular planning meetings with Areté leadership.
• Represent Areté Education at school events, meetings, trainings, and community functions.
• Collaborate across Areté teams to strengthen programming and identify growth opportunities.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following COMPASS Program Director requirements:

• Associate's degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field and two (2) years of direct experience working with children under age 13, including one (1) year in a supervisory role; or
• New York State Children's Program Administrator Credential and two (2) years of qualifying experience; or
• School-Age Child Care Credential (or equivalent recognized credential) and two (2) years of qualifying experience; or
• Two years of college with at least 18 credits in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field, plus two (2) years of qualifying experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in education, youth development, after-school, or community-based programming.
• Experience managing DYCD-funded programs and/or SACC-licensed sites strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and managing program operations.
• Knowledge of positive youth development and social-emotional learning practices.
• Experience with student data systems and program evaluation.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use findings to improve program outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth development.
• Ability to build productive relationships with students, families, school personnel, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and related technology platforms.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout school facilities and activity spaces.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to support classroom and activity-based programming through movement, bending, and standing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance offered
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement plan options

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume

Subject Line: Program Director - P.S. 161 COMPASS Program