Activity Specialist

Activity Specialist - 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 Activity Specialist / Instructor is responsible for planning and leading engaging, skill-based activities for participants in a specific content area such as STEAM, literacy, art, dance, music, nutrition, organized sports, academic support, wellness, cultural enrichment, or other enrichment areas. This role supports high-quality programming by bringing specialized knowledge, creativity, and instructional skill to activities that are safe, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with IHDF's mission, DYCD COMPASS requirements, and NYS OCFS SACC regulations.

The Activity Specialist / Instructor works collaboratively with the Program Director, Content Specialist /

Program Coordinator, Group Leaders, Youth Workers, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and other program staff to implement meaningful activities that promote participant engagement, learning, confidence, teamwork, and positive youth development.

Level of Work: Part-time; weekly hours subject to program needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Activity Planning and Instruction

• Plan and lead structured, age-appropriate activities in an assigned content area (e.g., STEAM, literacy, arts, dance, music, nutrition, sports, wellness, cultural enrichment) for children under 13.
• Prepare lesson plans, materials, and supplies, adapting activities to participants' needs, interests, and abilities.
• Align activities with required COMPASS content areas, DYCD expectations, and IHDF's whole-child approach. Program Implementation and Participant Engagement
• Lead activities safely and inclusively, providing clear instructions and positive behavior management.
• Encourage participation, creativity, and positive peer interaction, supporting participants with varying needs.
• Foster an environment where Dreamer Scholars feel safe, respected, and motivated to participate.

Collaboration and Staff Support

• Work with the Program Director, Content Specialist, Group Leaders, Youth Workers, and AmeriCorps members to ensure smooth implementation of the activity.
• Guide Group Leaders and Youth Workers on supporting activities; communicate plans, needs, and concerns to leadership.
• Participate in staff meetings and professional development, contributing to a positive, youth-centered team culture. Safety, Compliance, and Program Quality
• Conduct all activities in accordance with IHDF policies, DYCD COMPASS requirements, NYS OCFS SACC regulations, and site procedures.
• Maintain appropriate supervision and promptly report safety concerns, incidents, or participant needs.
• Support accurate documentation, clean and organized program spaces, and ongoing quality improvement efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Experience and demonstrated skill in a specific activity area such as art, dance, music, nutrition, organized sports, literacy, STEAM, academic support, wellness, or another relevant field.
• Experience planning and leading structured activities for children under age 13.
• Teaching, facilitation, coaching, or instructional experience preferred.
• Professionals with expertise in their field, or college/graduate students working toward specialization in the relevant content area, are encouraged to apply.
• Prior experience working in an after-school, summer camp, school-based, nonprofit, DYCD-funded, COMPASS, SACC-licensed, or youth development program preferred.

Required Credentials, Clearances, Certifications, and Trainings

• NYS State Central Register clearance, fingerprint clearance, and NYS Sex Offender Registry check required.
• CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter Training, Elijah's Law/anaphylaxis training, and any additional DYCD, OCFS, SACC, or IHDF required training may be required.
• Participation in required professional development, staff meetings, and training sessions is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge, experience, and skills in the assigned content area.
• Ability to plan and facilitate engaging, structured, and developmentally appropriate activities for children.
• Strong communication, group facilitation, classroom/group management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use positive behavior support strategies and create an inclusive learning environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with program staff and follow program expectations, safety procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Commitment to youth development, cultural responsiveness, inclusion, participant safety, and high-quality programming.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements necessary to perform this job

Strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to stand, sit, walk,bend, move throughout program spaces; lift or carry light program materials; conduct oral presentations; read, write, and communicate effectively. Physical requirements may vary depending on assigned activity area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Activity Specialist / Instructor reports to the Program Director and may receive guidance from the Content Specialist / Program Coordinator. This role works collaboratively with Group Leaders, Youth Workers, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, interns, and other program staff.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

IHDF offers competitive compensation based on the organization's compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. The hourly rate is $19.23.

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