COMPASS Afterschool Program Director

About Beam Center

Beam builds bold projects that show the power of creative cooperation. Our team is a mix of adaptable, curious makers and problem solvers, including artists, performers, teachers, fabricators, activists, and engineers.

We are a staff of 30-plus with diverse backgrounds, united by a commitment to hands-on creation, equity, and community. We work in person across New York City in classrooms, fabrication labs, and public spaces. More than 96 percent of the young people we serve identify as youth of color or newly immigrated, and our work is designed to support their creativity, and sense of belonging, and creating a pathway to future career-connected opportunities.

Program Overview

Beam Team COMPASS SONYC is a NYC middle school-based after-school program located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The extended day programming is designed to support middle school students through hands-on STEAM learning, leadership development, wellness activities, and creative exploration. The program fosters student agency, collaboration, and social-emotional growth while creating inclusive environments that support diverse learning needs. Through project-based learning, advisory structures, community partnerships, and career-connected experiences, students build confidence, technical skills, and a strong sense of belonging.

Job Overview

Reporting to the School Partnerships Director, The Beam Team COMPASS Program Director oversees onsite implementation of the COMPASS after-school program. This role manages all staffing, program administration and operations, and communication with school partners. A key element of this role is ensuring that Beam Center’s spirit, philosophy, and pedagogies are embedded across all aspects of the COMPASS SONYC program. Beam Center values trust in youth, collaborative creativity, and contributing to things greater than oneself. Applicants should familiarize themselves with Beam Center prior to applying for the role: (https://www.beamcenter.org/our-story). Their primary work site will be their assigned partner school, with occasional opportunities to work from Beam Center locations in Red Hook and on Governors Island. The Program Director supervises Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, and Youth Assistants to ensure the program delivers high-quality experiences that help youth build empathy, optimism, and a strong sense of community. They are a central bridge between Beam Center, our partner school, and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).

The ideal candidate is curious, proactive, and eager to learn. They should enjoy building new skills and sharing their knowledge with both colleagues and students.

Program Schedule

• This is a full time role that will work primarily on-site at Beam’s partner school from 10:00am - 6:00pm, and must be on-site during after school programming hours. Afterschool programming occurs between 2:00 - 6:30pm, Monday through Friday.
• This role will be expected to attend Beam Center all-staff meetings and events, as well as possible on-site meetings as needed.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Administration and Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the COMPASS after-school program at the assigned partner school site
• Ensure safe, organized, and high-quality program implementation that aligns with Beam Center and DYCD COMPASS expectations
• Build and maintain detailed schedules for staff, activities, and more than 100 student participants
• Oversee student recruitment, enrollment, attendance tracking, retention, and dismissal procedures
• Maintain accurate program documentation, compliance records, incident reports, and required DYCD reporting
• Coordinate daily operational logistics including meals, supplies, room usage, building access, and transitions in partnership with school administration
• Develop and carry out a site-specific crisis navigation plan in partnership with NYCPS social workers, school staff, and Beam leadership
• Serve as the site Inclusion Coordinator, helping ensure students, families, and staff have access to appropriate supports and accommodations

Staff Management and Supervision

• Supervise, support, and coach Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, and Youth Assistants in delivering engaging and inclusive programming
• Lead regular staff meetings, check-ins, and professional development opportunities focused on youth development, safety, and program quality
• Provide ongoing feedback, guidance, and problem-solving support to staff members throughout the school year
• Support staff in building positive classroom culture, effective behavior management strategies, and strong relationships with youth
• Monitor staff attendance, scheduling, and timekeeping processes
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented team culture grounded in Beam’s values of creativity, equity, and community
• Support youth staff in developing workplace readiness skills, professional communication, and leadership practices

Partner Communication and Relationship Building

• Partner closely with school partner principal, administrators, and staff and other CBOs in the building on all program and building use matters
• Serve as the primary point of contact for school administrators, teachers, custodial teams, families, community partners, and DYCD representatives at the site
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with school partners to support smooth program implementation and long-term partnership success
• Communicate proactively with Beam leadership and school staff regarding program updates, operational needs, challenges, and successes
• Coordinate with the DYCD Program Manager on program monitoring, evaluation, and compliance requirements
• Partner with community organizations, guest facilitators, and vendors to support program activities and special events
• Support family communication related to attendance, student wellness, program updates, and celebrations
• Help ensure Beam’s learning environment aligns with school expectations while maintaining a youth-centered, creative, and inclusive program culture

Program Quality Oversight

• Support continuous program improvement through observation, documentation, and collaboration with Beam leadership
• Monitor program climate, address emerging issues proactively, and elevate significant concerns to a Beam supervisor as needed
• Collaborate closely with the COMPASS Content Specialist to ensure Beam STEAM projects align with school partner priorities, student needs, and program goals

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is an organized, relationship-driven youth development professional with demonstrated experience leading teams, managing operations, and supporting inclusive, high-quality after-school learning environments in dynamic school settings.

Required Qualifications

The Program Director must have one of the following:

• At minimum, an associate’s degree in child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation or a related field and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work; or
• A School-Age Child Care Credential or other Office-recognized credential specific to the school-age developmental period and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proficiency in both English and Spanish
• Experience working in partnership with public schools or community-based organizations
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Clear, consistent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to supervise and support staff with patience, clarity, accountability, and attention to detail
• Comfort working in fast-paced environments and adapting to evolving program and school-site needs
• Strong relationship-building and collaborative problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment regarding when to independently resolve issues and when to elevate concerns to leadership
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, belonging, and youth-centered practice
• Comfort working with diverse groups of youth, families, educators, and community partners
• Position contingent on DOH and DOE fingerprint clearance

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Familiarity with NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) systems and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks and restorative practices
• Experience supervising early-career or youth staff
• Creative practice and technical skill in at least one area: electronics, physical computing, engineering, or fabrication (digital or non-digital)

Annual Salary range

• $68,000 - $72,000, commensurate with experience and skills

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)/Retirement Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: holiday, vacation, and sick time

Proficiency in both English and Spanish is required