Program Director - COMPASS Elementary Program, P.S. 146

JOB DESCRIPTION

Program Director - COMPASS Elementary Program, P.S. 146

BACKGROUND

The “I Have A Dream” Foundation (IHDF) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to motivate and empower children living in low-income communities to reach their educational and career potential. IHDF partners with families, schools, and communities to advance equitable outcomes through a long-term, culturally responsive, whole-child approach that includes mentoring, tutoring, cultural enrichment, family engagement, and post-secondary support.

Position Summary

The Program Director is the operational leader of the COMPASS Elementary Program at P.S. 146 and serves as the School-Age Child Care (SACC) License Site Director. This full-time role oversees day-to-day program operations, staff supervision, school partnership, enrollment, parent/caregiver engagement, DYCD Connect data management, compliance oversight, and SACC license maintenance in alignment with IHDF’s mission, DYCD COMPASS requirements, and NYS OCFS SACC regulations.

Level of Work: Full Time - Minimum of 40 hours per week (weekly hours subject to flexibility based on program needs).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management, Administration, and Compliance

• Plan, organize, oversee, and implement year-round after-school and summer programming that supports social-emotional development, cultural pride, academic enrichment, and educational success for Dreamer Scholars.
• Coordinate tutoring, mentoring, academic support, enrichment, recreation, STEM, arts, physical education, community service, and youth development activities aligned with school-day learning.
• Oversee daily site operations, including participant supervision, staff schedules, program schedules, safety procedures, enrollment, attendance tracking, participant files, and required documentation.
• Serve as the SACC License Site Director and ensure compliance with DYCD COMPASS requirements, NYS OCFS SACC regulations, NYS SACC Part 414 staff-to-participant ratios, and IHDF policies and procedures.
• Manage DYCD Connect data entry, reporting, compliance files, monitoring/audit readiness, corrective action follow-up, and required communication with IHDF leadership.
• Track and maintain staff clearances, required trainings, certifications, health and safety documentation, licensing materials, and required professional development.
• Manage the program budget in partnership with IHDF leadership and support grant-related reporting, data collection, and program evaluation.

Staff Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and support the Program Coordinator, Education Specialist, Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, interns, tutors, mentors, and other program staff as assigned.
• Support staff onboarding, training, performance feedback, professional development, and day-to-day deployment to ensure safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate, and compliant programming.
• Create and maintain a positive, inclusive, youth-centered team culture.

Youth Advocacy, Family Engagement, and Partnerships

• Provide individualized support for Dreamer Scholars and families, including referrals to community resources and maintenance of records related to grades, attendance, program participation, interventions, and family involvement.
• Build strong relationships with Dreamer Scholars, parents/caregivers, P.S. 146 leadership, faculty, staff, school-based partners, community agencies, and organizations that support IHDF and COMPASS programming.
• Serve as the primary school liaison; support a smooth transition between school-day and after-school programming; participate in parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, MSST meetings, and other school-based meetings as appropriate.
• Plan and implement parent/caregiver meetings, workshops, family engagement opportunities, and consistent communication regarding programming, resources, and opportunities, including translating messages into Spanish as needed.
• Provide regular reports to IHDF leadership and the IHDF Board of Directors, participate in organizational committees/trainings/meetings, and complete other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, human services, youth development, or a related field preferred; minimum of an Associate’s degree required, with 18 credits in Child Development, Elementary Education, or a related field, in accordance with SACC Program Director requirements.
• Minimum of four years of supervisory experience in after-school programming, youth services, education, or a related setting.
• Experience teaching, implementing, or managing programming for youth and families; supervising staff; and working with multicultural families and children.
• Prior nonprofit, school-based, after-school, DYCD-funded, SACC-licensed, or OCFS-regulated program experience preferred; experience conducting home visits preferred.

Required Credential, Clearances, Certifications, and Trainings

• SACC Program Director’s 30-hour certification required or must be completed within the required timeframe.
• NYS State Central Register clearance, fingerprint clearance, and NYS Sex Offender Registry check required.
• CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter Training, Medication Administration Training (MAT), Elijah’s Law/anaphylaxis training, and any additional DYCD, OCFS, or IHDF required training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership, supervision, staff development, group facilitation, organizational, oral/written communication, and computer skills.
• Ability to maintain regulatory, licensing, and funder compliance; manage accurate records; maintain confidentiality; exercise sound judgment; and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, school staff, community partners, and internal teams while creating safe, inclusive spaces for youth and families to learn and thrive.
• Reliable transportation, good driving record, and insurance required. Some evenings, weekends, and conference travel required.
• Physical and Cognitive Requirements necessary to perform this job
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, analytical, and cognitive skills; ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand or sit for long periods, walk up to 1/2 mile transporting supplies, conduct oral presentations, read, and communicate effectively.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Program Director reports to the Managing Director of New York Programs. Direct reports may include a Program Coordinator, Education Specialist, Activities Coordinator, Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, interns, and other paid staff.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (FLSA Status: Exempt)

IHDF offers a competitive salary based on the organization’s compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000 depending on qualifications. IHDF offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and insurance, mileage, paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays.

IHDF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

IHDF offers comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Mileage
• Paid time off
• Sick leave,
• Paid holidays