Site Director - School Programs, Full or Part Time

In 1887, John Ames Mitchell, editor of Life magazine, raised $800 to send 266 children from New York City to the Life Fresh Air Farm in Branchville, Connecticut. Since that first summer, thousands of children and teens have participated in our nature-based summer camp and after-school programs in New York and New Jersey.

Trail Blazers is a youth development organization that provides summer and school-year programs to children in Brooklyn and surrounding areas of New York and New Jersey. Our play-based programs are designed with social emotional learning at the forefront, and focus on environmental science, experiential learning, and outdoor adventures.

Summary of Position

Full Time Site Directors are leaders of two Trail Blazers programs with additional administrative responsibilities throughout the year. 

Part Time School Programs Site Directors lead a site for our school programs only; they are invited to apply for a summer site director position if they choose to do so, but that would be a separate contract. 

During the academic year, the Site Director oversees after school programming at one of Trail Blazers’ school locations. This entails staff supervision and training, program oversight, parent communication, and health/safety compliance. These responsibilities are combined with program prep as well as program and operation administration during the morning hours. During this time, the Site Director reports to the School Programs Director.

Essential Functions

• Oversee operations of a school or camp site site with an emphasis on play, challenge, and social emotional learning opportunities
• Lead a team that includes managers and front line staff, supporting their growth and holding them accountable for strong performance
• Act as the primary point of contact for parents, school or site administration, and program staff 
• Proactively develop positive and supportive relationships with campers, families, co-working team, leadership, and the school or camp community
• Identify staff performance issues and gaps in skill/knowledge, and create ongoing opportunities for training and coaching
• Ensure all health and safety protocols are being adhered to, and that all administrative tasks are completed in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with personnel, DOH, ACA, and SACC regulations

Job Specifications

• Education and/or work experience in education, child development, youth programming, social work, psychology, environmental science, or environmental education
• Experience in after school and camp programming
• Experience supervising and coaching others
• Knowledge of social emotional learning principles
• Knowledge of NYS SACC policies and compliance preferred
• Ability to motivate staff, identify opportunities for growth, and provide constructive feedback
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal
• CPR/First Aid Certification, or willingness to obtain
• Ability to travel to multiple locations throughout Brooklyn
• Ability to move safely around the office
• Ability to move safely over uneven terrain
• The ability to work outside in any weather
• The ability to run, bend, and change directions while moving

Compensation and Position Details

Full Time Site Directors: School Year

• This is a full time salaried position that is non-exempt September - April, exempt May - August
• Regular hours of work are Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm; adjusted hours may sometimes be required
• Salary: $50,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contribution available upon hire
• 403(b) savings account, 3 weeks paid vacation, and 7 days paid personal leave available after 90 day introductory period. Additional week vacation after 3 years of service.

Part Time Site Directors: School Year

• This is a part time, hourly position
• Total hours: 25 - 30/week
• Regular hours of work are Monday - Friday, 2pm - 6pm, additional hours scheduled during the week for meetings and trainings
• Pay rate: $22