Community School Director

Salary: $67,000 Annually

The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities.

To help fulfill our mission, we cultivate a culture of learning, leading, and collaboration to enhance community impact. Through our talented staff and “LEAP” career framework (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth), we are committed to a people-first approach that fosters trust, inclusion, growth, and development for all.

The Harlem YMCA is seeking a Community School Director who will be responsible for the implementation, integration, alignment, and coordination of the community school strategy at PS175 Henry H. Garrett. They will ensure that the Community School program meets all school, Department of Health, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations. Working collaboratively with the principal and school leadership team, the Community School Director will provide oversight to the strategy, systems, supervision, and structure of the program. They will plan, organize, and implement structured programming and services for both students and families. The Community School Director will ensure a high level of quality, communication, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement a menu of needs-driven, high-quality programs and services in adherence with the community school model, including, but not limited to, expanded learning and enrichment opportunities, mental health services, parent/family engagement, adult education, and interventions targeted to chronically absent students.
• Develop and grow community partnerships while creating and tracking a resource referral system for youth and families.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants by understanding, maintaining, and ensuring that staff and participants follow Risk Management and safety procedures.
• Ensure the alignment and integration of all programming with the principal’s vision and school day curriculum to the fullest extent possible.
• Hire, train, and supervise full-time and part-time staff and volunteers by monitoring performance, providing support, coaching, and recognition, and holding staff accountable for performance expectations.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff and participants and promotes a positive school spirit.
• Support the planning of all community school activities, ensure that all Y program expectations are executed, and coordinate the use of branch facilities for program activities and events, when possible.
• Coordinate needs and resource assessment activities on an ongoing basis, employing a variety of strategies and including a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
• Represent the initiative in various public forums as needed and participate in advocacy activities to promote community schools or the YMCA.
• Actively participate in the School Safety Team and Attendance Team meetings, as well as convene the Community School Leadership Team discussions, to identify needs, set priorities, and coordinate the strategy.
• Develop and implement an orientation session, in collaboration with the school, for families before the first day of programming, which includes safety procedures, ground rules, and other necessary information. Maintain positive relationships and communication with guardians and community members throughout the year.
• Maintain accurate program documentation (attendance, sign-in/out forms, behavior reports, incident reports, and accident reports, as appropriate).
• Authorize weekly staff schedules and manage payroll expenses by regularly reviewing and approving hours worked in ADP. Manage and track volunteer hours.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of and participation in the Community School. Support the research/evaluation of the community school by supervising, and coordinating the collection of, and entry of data, timely submission of reports, and responses to other requests for information.
• Understand and communicate the school’s mission, the YMCA’s core values, and the goals of the Community School model to staff, participants, and caregivers. Ensure that all communication is reflective of the collaborative partnership of the school and the YMCA.
• In collaboration with the school administration, Parent Coordinator, and Guidance Counselors, respond to all member and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
• Participate in capacity-building activities, including initiative-wide and site-based training, networking meetings, special events, and study visits, and – with the principal – ensure that participation of other site-based staff as needed or required. Support the development and facilitation of required training.
• Report all incidents in accordance with the Y policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all Department of Health, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a program area related to working with youth. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience managing a high-volume youth programming and supervising staff.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Access, Adobe PageMaker, and Photoshop preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and comfortable working with diverse youth and adults.

Benefits:

The YMCA of Greater New York offers a variety of benefits to its staff members, including retirement benefits, medical, paid time off, free YMCA membership, and more! Benefit eligibility is determined by an individual’s employment status (i.e., full-time or part-time), tenure, and/or the number of hours scheduled to work.

How to Apply:

If you would like to be a member of our dynamic team, please complete our online application and submit your résumé and a thoughtful cover letter that explains your interest in the role and our organization.