POSITION SUMMARY
For our After School programming, we are interested in Group Facilitators who will serve as a direct line staff member during programming hours. The Group Facilitator will be responsible for leading in one or more STEAM discipline areas, physical activities, or other activities that develop and strengthen academic, physical, and social skills. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing academic support, facilitating activities, and developing lessons that are aligned with our Creative Youth Development (CYD) framework.
The Group Leader will be supported by a team of education professionals including the Program Coordinator, the Associate Program Coordinator, the Education Specialist and Teaching Artists.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
SUPPORT
- Supervise young people transitioning from the school day into the after-school program; track attendance, oversee snack distribution, transitions to activities, and dismissal.
- Create and maintain a structured safe space (classroom/studio) that supports learning, growing, and supports social-emotional well-being.
- Log and report daily attendance, behavior, and incident reports.
- While working with a teaching artist, appropriately support their work and encourage young people to participate and engage in the activity.
- Perform additional duties as directed or as needed.
DEVELOP
- In coordination with the Education Specialist, develop engaging and age-appropriate lesson plans and instructional material for STEAM, civic engagement, physical recreation, arts & crafts, and literacy activities.
- Develop unit outline curriculum for activities like Civic Engagement in alignment with the unit framework created by the Education Leadership Team
- Actively participate and attend weekly/bi-weekly/monthly team meetings and one-on-one sessions.
- Build positive relationships with young people to establish positive connections and rapport.
FACILITATE
- Facilitate lessons in at least one or more of the following activities: STEAM, civic engagement, physical recreation, arts & crafts, and literacy activities that encourage growth and exploration.
- Model the principles of CYD in the classroom/studios and in the workplace.
QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma required; currently enrolled in college, preferably in education or youth development field.
- A minimum of 2 years of direct experience working with children under 13 years of age.
- Participation in our training and professional development workshops that focus on youth development, safety, mandated reporter, social-emotional learning, lesson planning and facilitation is required.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
- Eager to work in a fast-paced, arts and education-focused environment.
- Ability to work independently and work collaboratively with all levels of staff.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to be flexible and work under pressure—with a sense of humor.
- Highly motivated, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Integrity, professional discretion, and professionalism.
- Experience and/or willingness to work with children with educational or emotional special needs.
- Enjoy working with children with an understanding of youth development.
- Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
- Works in a classroom environment.
- Requires standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending
- Frequently stands and walks for long periods of time
- Frequently speaks, reads, and writes
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Pay ranges from $18.00 to $22.00 per hour.
- Must be available to work Monday to Friday between the hours of 2 PM and 6 PM.
- Casita Maria offers its part time employees the following benefits: paid safe and sick leave, short-term and long-term disability insurance,, Health and Dependent Care Savings Accounts, Commuter benefits, 403(b) Thrift plan and pension plan.
Casita Maria is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applications will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction or current employment status. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
About Us
Casita Maria is a youth, family and community serving organization in the Hunts Point/Longwood section of the South Bronx. We were established in East Harlem in 1934 by Claire and Elizabeth Sullivan and Sister Mary Imelda who observed waves of Spanish-speaking people pouring in from Puerto Rico and in desperate need of services.
While settlement houses were in place to address the needs of the poor, this population was made up of predominantly European immigrants. Seeing the disparity and isolation that Latinos were confronting, Claire, Elizabeth, and Sister Mary provided essential nutrition, housing, childcare, and educational support. What they could not know at the time is that they were championing social justice for what would become one of America’s most historically marginalized groups.
For the last 90 years, Casita Maria has expanded its population base to serve all people of color and continues to serve as an oasis, safe haven and gathering place for hope and enrichment through arts, culture, education and recreation.
