Education Specialist

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: RTS facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school, summer camps, retreats, conferences and summer employment opportunities reaching thousands of young people throughout NYC each year. RTS emphasizes the youth development practice of the Circle of Courage in all our programs; creating an environment of Belonging, where young people can build their Independence, find and develop their Mastery skill, and practice Generosity in their communities. At the core of our programs are staff training strategies that enable our young professionals to develop extraordinarily meaningful relationships with the young people in their care who we call Our Future Leaders because that is what they all are.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Education Specialist ensures that RTS youth development principles are reflected in the learning environment and programming. This role supports high-quality instruction across multiple sites by guiding curriculum alignment, modeling best practices, supporting lesson planning and classroom management, and fostering stronger connections between afterschool programming and the school day. The Education Specialist reports directly to the Master Education Specialist and works closely with Group Leaders, Activity Specialist, and the Program Leadership team to continuously improve the educational quality of program delivery.

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE:

Reports To: Master Education Specialist

Supervises: Academic Components and Educational Quality of Afterschool Programming

Schedule: Part-Time, 30 hours/week

Hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 PM across 2 program sites

Compensation: $30 – $32 per hour (based on experience and credentials)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Leadership and Program Alignment

• Ensure all structured activities/clubs are enriching, developmentally appropriate, and support skill development through learning experiences.

• Review and refine lesson plans monthly to ensure clear objectives, youth engagement strategies, and skill-building outcomes.

• Observe classroom activities/clubs and coach instructional staff through modeling lesson implementation, providing constructive feedback, and supporting the development of lesson plans.

• Serve as the Inclusion Coordinator by ensuring that all participants have equitable access to program opportunities and promoting an inclusive program environment by identifying participant needs, supporting appropriate accommodations, and ensuring that activities are accessible and engaging for all youth.

Staff Support and Professional Development

• Facilitate quarterly on-site and off-site professional development sessions based on staff needs and program goals.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to identify and onboard qualified instructional staff.
• Maintain observation logs and provide regular coaching sessions and real-time feedback to staff.
• Provide leadership staff with suggestions and resources to support youth with learning or behavioral challenges.
• Elevate concerns and challenges to leadership staff when they arise.

Curriculum Development and Enrichment

• Collaborate with the Master Education Specialist to create and refine curriculum resources across subject areas including Literacy, Arts, STEM, SEL, and enrichment. Design and adapt academic enrichment curricula that are engaging, culturally responsive, and aligned with youth interests and developmental needs.
• Participate in weekly individual and team check-ins with the Master Education Specialist to ensure instructional consistency and innovation.
• Support instructional staff in developing differentiated plans for youth with learning or behavioral needs.

Data and Continuous Quality Improvement

• Create and implement pre/post surveys, measuring skills development and participant satisfaction.
• Use data and performance observations to help support leadership in determining staff training focus areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position is based in New York City and requires travel to multiple program sites.
• Must be comfortable working in DOE school buildings and community-based locations.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or training.

COMPETENCIES

• Instructional Coaching: Supports and strengthens staff through mentorship, modeling, and structured feedback.
• Curriculum Planning: Collaborates with education team to co-create engaging, developmentally aligned curriculum.
• Collaboration: Foster strong relationships with and between leadership and instructional staff
• Cultural Responsiveness: Foster inclusive environments where all identities and learning styles are honored.
• Adaptability: Able to assist and support in responding to challenges as they arise.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer, and 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 law.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success in serving youth.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization.

The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Child Development, or related field required; NYS Teacher Certification a plus
• Minimum of 3 years of classroom experience, ideally in K–8 school settings.
• Experience designing and delivering engaging educational activities in formal or informal learning settings.
• Experience developing staff capacity through coaching, training, or professional development.
• Excellent communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with DYCD systems and expectations a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe and online tools such as Zoom.