Assistant Program Director

Job Description – Assistant Director

OUR MISSION: Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future.

OUR VISION: We envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success.

PROGRAM DESIGN: Roads to Success (RTS) provides youth development programs including after-school, summer, enrichment, workforce development, and other opportunities serving young people throughout New York City. RTS incorporates the Circle of Courage framework—Belonging, Independence, Mastery, and Generosity—to create safe, supportive, and engaging environments where young people can thrive.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Assistant Director supports the Program Director in the daily leadership, coordination, and operation of an assigned RTS program site. The position plays a key role in ensuring high-quality programming, effective staff deployment, youth safety, accurate attendance and documentation, family engagement, and consistent implementation of organizational expectations.

The Assistant Director is a member of the site leadership team and serves as the designated site leader in the absence of the Program Director. While the position has no formally assigned direct reports, the Assistant Director provides day-to-day supervision, direction, coaching, and operational oversight to Activity Specialists and/or Group Leaders and other assigned frontline program staff.

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE

Reports To: Program Director

Direct Reports: None

Site Supervisory Responsibility: Activity Specialists and/or Group Leaders

Employment Status: Part-Time – 30 Hours Per Week

Classification: Class A – Onsite Essential (Program Staff)

Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 30 hours per week; schedule based on assigned program operations

Work Arrangement: Five (5) days onsite at assigned program site

Location: Manhattan & Bronx locations

Compensation: $26.00–$30.00 per hour

RESPONSIBILITIES

Site Leadership & Program Operations

• Support the Program Director with daily coordination and operation of the assigned program site.
• Serve as the designated site leader when the Program Director is absent or unavailable.
• Support implementation of daily schedules, staff assignments, activities, transitions, meals, attendance, and dismissal procedures.
• Maintain a safe, organized, welcoming, and youth-centered program environment.
• Address routine program issues and immediately escalate significant operational, staffing, safety, or youth-related concerns.
• Assist with program opening, closing, special events, family activities, and seasonal programming.

Staff Supervision & Support

• Provide daily direction, coaching, and operational supervision to Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and other assigned program staff.
• Reinforce expectations related to professionalism, attendance, active supervision, youth engagement, communication, and program quality.
• Observe staff performance and provide real-time coaching and feedback.
• Support staff meetings, team check-ins, training, onboarding, and professional development.
• Communicate staff performance, attendance, conduct, or development concerns to the Program Director.
• Support implementation of performance improvement or corrective expectations established by the Program Director and Human Resources.
• Model professional conduct, teamwork, accountability, and positive youth development practices.

Program Quality & Youth Development

• Support implementation of engaging, developmentally appropriate, and youth-centered programming.
• Review and support staff implementation of lesson plans, activities, enrichment experiences, and program schedules.
• Promote youth voice, leadership, belonging, positive relationships, and social-emotional development.
• Observe activities and provide staff with feedback to strengthen program quality.
• Assist with behavior support and implementation of positive youth development strategies.
• Ensure programming reflects RTS' mission, values, and Circle of Courage framework.

Youth Safety & Active Supervision

• Reinforce active supervision expectations and ensure participants are appropriately supervised throughout program operations.
• Support accurate participant accountability during arrival, activities, transitions, trips, and dismissal.
• Respond appropriately to incidents, injuries, behavioral concerns, emergencies, and other safety matters.
• Ensure incidents are promptly communicated to the Program Director and documented in accordance with RTS procedures.
• Maintain awareness of emergency procedures, participant medical alerts, authorized dismissal information, and other critical safety information.
• Reinforce professional boundaries, mandated reporting responsibilities, and youth protection expectations.

Attendance, Enrollment & Documentation

• Support daily participant attendance procedures and ensure attendance information is complete and accurate.
• Assist with enrollment, recruitment, retention, and family outreach activities.
• Monitor attendance patterns and communicate concerns to the Program Director.
• Maintain participant rosters, dismissal records, program files, and other required site documentation.
• Support timely completion and submission of required program information and reports.

Compliance Support

• Support the Program Director in implementing applicable RTS, funder, school, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure staff follow established program policies, procedures, safety protocols, and documentation expectations.
• Maintain required program materials, records, postings, and documentation as assigned.
• Support preparation for site visits, monitoring reviews, audits, and inspections.
• Assist with implementation of corrective actions or operational improvements identified by site or organizational leadership.
• Immediately communicate potential compliance or safety concerns to the Program Director.

Family & School Engagement

• Support positive relationships with youth, families, school staff, and community partners.
• Communicate professionally with families regarding routine program activities, schedules, attendance, and participant needs.
• Assist with family orientations, meetings, events, and engagement activities.
• Support positive relationships with school administration, teachers, custodial staff, and other school personnel.
• Refer significant family or school partner concerns to the Program Director.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Attend required staff meetings, supervision sessions, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and program team to achieve site goals and maintain program quality.
• Implement RTS policies, procedures, and organizational expectations.
• Assume appropriate site leadership responsibilities during the Program Director's absence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, Human Services, Recreation, Psychology, or a related field preferred. Relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience working in youth development, after-school programming, education, summer programming, or a related environment.
• Previous experience serving in a lead, supervisory, or program coordination capacity strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direction and coaching to frontline youth development staff.
• Knowledge of positive youth development, behavior management, active supervision, and youth safety practices.
• Experience working in NYC Public Schools or government-funded youth programs preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and assume responsibility for program operations in the absence of the Program Director.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and program/data systems preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is designated Class A – Onsite Essential (Program Staff) and requires onsite presence five (5) days per week at the assigned program site.
• This position is scheduled for approximately 30 hours per week, based on program and school operating schedules.
• Must be comfortable working in NYC Public School buildings and community-based youth program environments.
• The Assistant Director must be available to assume site leadership responsibilities when the Program Director is absent or unavailable.
• Work schedules may vary during school holidays, summer programming, special events, trips, or other program activities.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on program needs.
• Must be able to actively supervise program spaces, navigate stairs and facilities, and lift or carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds as needed.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Site Leadership: Demonstrates the judgment and confidence necessary to support daily operations and lead the program in the Program Director's absence.
• Staff Guidance: Provides clear direction, coaching, feedback, and accountability to frontline program staff.
• Youth Development: Creates safe, engaging, supportive, and youth-centered environments.
• Operational Excellence: Maintains strong attention to program schedules, safety, attendance, documentation, and daily execution.
• Communication & Collaboration: Works effectively with youth, staff, families, school partners, and organizational leadership.
• Judgment & Accountability: Addresses routine challenges independently and appropriately escalates significant concerns.
• Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrates cultural competency and commitment to equity, inclusion, youth voice, and positive youth development.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Roads to Success is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome and valued and where equity and inclusion strengthen our ability to serve young people.

DISCLAIMER

This job description provides a general overview of the position and its essential functions and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Responsibilities may change based on organizational, programmatic, contractual, regulatory, or operational needs.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employment with Roads to Success is at will. Either the employee or Roads to Success may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing contained in this job description creates or should be construed as creating a contract of employment.