Afterschool Program Director

The PS 261 Afterschool Program is seeking a Program Director to oversee operations. The program serves approximately 260 students daily and offers diverse enrichment classes, including visual arts, music, theater, sports, and science. As a key figure in our team, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our students, providing high-quality enrichment and childcare for students in our racially and economically diverse school community.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading a similar program, a passion for working with children and families, excellent communication skills, and strong organizational abilities. Attention to detail and a proactive approach are key to success in this role.

This is a full-time, in-person position, Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with occasional late-night and weekend hours.

The anticipated start date for the position is May 1, 2025.

The PS 261 Afterschool Program is a 501(c)(3) organization and an equal-opportunity employer.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Afterschool Program Oversight:

• Manage all aspects of the Afterschool Program, including class scheduling, student enrollment, tuition collection, and financial aid.
• Ensure high-quality programming for students and families.
• Solicit and apply feedback to drive continuous program improvement.
• Collaborate with school leadership to develop engaging programs.
• Organize term showcases for families to view student progress.
• Coordinate with the Afterschool Committee on annual Musical production.

Team Leadership:

• Hire, train, and supervise counselors and staff. Provide ongoing feedback throughout each semester.
• Recruit, manage, and evaluate specialist instructors and external vendors.
• Supervise the Assistant Director and Program Coordinator.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Meet regularly with the school principal and administration on program matters. Prioritize urgent issues accordingly.
• Cultivate strong relationships with school leaders, staff, students, parents, and community partners.
• Foster alignment between school day and afterschool staff.
• Evaluate and balance the individual and collective needs of both students and parents.
• Communicate with parents about enrollment, schedules, tuition, and policies.
• Attend Afterschool Committee meetings, sharing program successes and challenges.
• Lead with perseverance, equity, optimism, and empathy in all aspects of the role.

Financial & Operational Management:

• Oversee payroll, ensuring accurate timesheet reviews.
• Monitor program spending, flag discrepancies, and ensure timely payments with the Afterschool Committee.
• Manage the site budget, including purchases, expenses, and modifications, with support from the Finance Department.

Safety & Compliance:

• Address harmful child behavior with intervention and coordinate a restorative action plan with families, afterschool staff, and school administration.
• Ensure policies are in place to protect children’s safety, including attendance and check-out protocols and staff training in first aid and CPR.
• Maintain compliance with all DOH and DOE regulations.
• Familiarity with Socio-Emotional and Trauma-Informed Practices.
• Plan and manage emergency drills (e.g., Code Blue, fire drills, lockdown drills, etc.)
• Familiarity with the custodial engineer role, understanding their responsibilities and limitations, and ensuring clear communication and coordination when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 years of experience minimum or more in school, after-school, or educational program leadership or administration, including staff management.
• At least two years of experience as a Program Supervisor in a childcare program.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate plans into action and exercise excellent judgment in decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills across generations: engaging with parents, staff, and students.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Proficiency in using one or more of the following types of software is required.
  • Class management software (i.e., Jackrabbit)
  • Email marketing software (i.e., Constant Contact)
  • Online payroll systems (i.e., Paychex Flex)
  • Online bookkeeping ledger (i.e., QuickBooks Online)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Afterschool Program Director role offers a competitive salary of $65,000- $80,000. Individual salary offers are determined using an equity lens, considering relevant experience, the scope of responsibilities, and comparable afterschool management positions in the NYC area. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 20 days of paid time off, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

APPLICATION

To apply for the Afterschool Program Director position, please email a cover letter and resume to afterschool.treasurer@ps261brooklyn.org. In the subject line of your email, please include 'Afterschool Program Director' to ensure your application is properly routed.