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Director of Programs and Prevention Education (Download PDF)

2026-27 AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS GROUP LEADER (PART-TIME)

Immigrant Social Services, Inc. (ISS) seeks motivated, enthusiastic, creative, and reliable individuals with a strong commitment to youth development and/or out-of-school time education for the position of Afterschool Programs Group Leader to help deliver an engaging learning experience for participants (Pre-K through 8th Grade) in our afterschool programs.

ISS Afterschool Programs Group Leaders are an invaluable part of our team and work collaboratively with the program site team to create a youth-centered, interest-driven, enriched learning environment that allows students to pursue their curiosity and interests through meaningful learning experiences.

The ideal candidate is committed to nurturing children and youth through positive youth development and the whole-child approach. Previous experience working with children/youth in a group setting is required such as facilitating activities in schools, afterschools, camps, and/or museums.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsible for day-to-day guidance, care, and safety of a group of children/youth in an afterschool environment.
Help and support students with their homework.
Plan, develop, and implement enrichment activities and/or theme-based projects that are engaging, purposeful, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with our program. These will include existing ISS-developed curricula and lesson ideas as well as group leader-developed activities. Guidance and assessment will be provided.
Demonstrate confidence, assertiveness, and a willingness to speak in front of a group of children. This includes the ability to engage with students, deliver instructions clearly, and facilitate group activities effectively.
Build and maintain positive relationships with youth participants of diverse backgrounds and needs.
Assist in mentoring assistant group leaders who are gaining experience working with children and youth.
Proactively communicate regularly with program site leadership staff about any issues, including but not limited to behavioral challenges, scheduling, and curricula.
Attend professional development and training sessions, as well as designated meetings, as required.
Ensure that afterschool youth programs align with the organization’s mission, values, and approach.

Qualifications and Skills

Currently enrolled or some college; B.A./B.S. preferred.
Prior experience facilitating activities with children in a group setting is required.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong social-emotional competencies and behavior management skills.
Ability to problem solve and adapt quickly.
Willingness to receive feedback and be coached or trained.
Proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese) or Spanish, a plus.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to underserved immigrant and Asian American communities is a plus.

Location

Our afterschool programs operate at public school sites in the Lower East Side/Chinatown neighborhood.

Compensation

$17.00 – $19.00 per hour – commensurate with relevant experience and education.

This is a part-time/contract position for the 2026-27 school year that follows the NYC DOE academic calendar. Must be available during afterschool hours, Monday–Friday, 2:00 pm/2:30 pm – 5:45 pm/6:00 pm (start and end times depend on location). Flexible days, but five days a week is preferred.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to hr@issnyc.org with the subject line: Afterschool Programs Group Leader.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS SITE DIRECTOR (PART-TIME)

Immigrant Social Services, Inc. (ISS) seeks a part-time Afterschool Programs Site Director to collaborate with and strengthen our afterschool programs team through the overall development, implementation, and day-to-day management of our school site-based afterschool programs for Pre-K to 5th grade students.

About ISS Afterschool Programs: ISS operates afterschool programs at public school sites in Manhattan’s Lower East Side and Chinatown. We recognize that the out-of-school time space presents new opportunities for us to reimagine learning and achievement that address the realities of an immigrant population. Designed to cultivate curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and compassion within a framework centering the needs of immigrant students and their families, ISS afterschool program activities and curricular content integrate a range of areas including language arts & literacy, STEM, social studies, the arts, health & fitness, and social and emotional development.

Primary Responsibilities

Manage and supervise daily onsite program operations and implementation of quality learning experiences.
Ensure the execution of a cohesive and holistic afterschool programming curriculum and structure that align with the organization’s goals, are responsive to the needs of students, and meet contractual expectations and outcomes.
Lead and deliver afterschool programs and activities as needed.
Provide overall support and supervision for site staff; coordinate and facilitate check-ins, observations, and evaluations.
Work with programs staff to recruit, hire, train, and coach site-based staff.
Provide a high level of customer service and effectively communicate with parents/guardians, verbally and in writing.
Determine the ongoing needs and interests of students, parents/guardians, and schools, and assess program impact, including administering feedback surveys and program assessments.
Help ensure compliance with NYS OCFS SACC, DOHMH, DOE, and other regulatory requirements, and monitor the site for quality and risk management standards.

Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in education or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Master’s Degree or working towards a Master’s in education or a related field preferred.
Minimum of five years of relevant experience with elementary or middle school-age children in an educational setting. Candidates with prior experience in out-of-school time informal learning environments, such as afterschool programs with multiple or specialty activities, youth/community centers, and museums, are encouraged to apply.
At least two years of demonstrated experience in out-of-school time program management and operations.
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work cooperatively with staff and external partners/stakeholders who bring diverse perspectives, styles, and experiences.
A self-starter with the ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment, with strong organizational, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and crisis-management skills.
A commitment to a whole-child approach to education and positive youth development.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to the diverse and nuanced perspectives inherent in working with Asian American and immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-income families.
Working knowledge of the DOE/public school system; out-of-school time programs and networks; nonprofit organizations; curriculum design and implementation; program evaluation and assessment; Asian American studies; and community development.
Familiarity with grants and government contracts tracking and reporting, a plus.

Compensation

This is a part-time, academic year-based position at $23-$25 per hour, depending on education and experience. Must be available during program operations hours, Monday through Friday, 2:00 pm-6:00 pm, when NYC public schools are in session.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hr@issnyc.org with the subject line: Afterschool Programs Site Director.

Director of Programs and Prevention Education

(Download PDF)

Position Summary

The Director of Programs and Prevention Education provides strategic and hands-on leadership for ISS’s prevention and youth development programs. The Director will oversee a portfolio of culturally responsive prevention initiatives focused on youth development, substance use prevention, health navigation, community education and training, outreach, and family-centered programming. This work includes supporting programs that strengthen protective factors, respond to community needs, and help youth and families increase their awareness of risks related to substance use, problem gambling, and mental and overall wellbeing.

The ideal candidate brings a systems lens, deep community roots, and a commitment to prevention as a pathway to equity. The Director will provide leadership for Prevention Services staff development, program quality, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement in alignment with New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) standards, funder requirements, and community needs. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this new role will serve as a strategic thought partner in strengthening prevention programming, systems, and community impact.

Organizational Approach

Prevention begins long before a crisis. It lives in trusted relationships, connected families, strong communities, and opportunities for young people and families to thrive. We believe prevention is most effective when it reflects the values, experiences, and strengths of the communities it serves. In communities where conversations about behavioral health, substance use, and mental wellbeing may be shaped by stigma or cultural expectations, we see prevention as an opportunity to build trust, strengthen belonging, and expand access to support in ways that honor community strengths and lived experiences.

Leadership Approach

We believe effective leadership is relational, collaborative, and grounded in both vision and action. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys building: strengthening and growing programs, supporting staff growth, creating systems, and fostering partnerships.

Because ISS is a small and evolving organization, this role combines strategic leadership with thoughtful, hands-on engagement. The successful candidate will move fluidly between program strategy, staff development, community partnerships, and operational problem-solving, knowing when to personally lead an initiative and when to develop systems and capacity through others.

What Success Looks Like

In your first year, you’ll build strong relationships with staff and community partners, strengthen core program systems, and identify opportunities to deepen the impact and sustainability of ISS’s prevention work. Working closely with the Executive Director, and with an in-the-trenches approach, you’ll help guide the continued evolution of prevention programming. You will ensure existing services remain responsive to youth, families, and community needs and continue to have meaningful impact.

Leadership Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategic Vision

Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of culturally responsive, community- and school-based programs focused on prevention education, youth development, and behavioral health promotion.
Drive a holistic prevention approach that addresses the root causes of substance misuse and supports protective factors for youth and families, especially in Asian American and immigrant communities and other under-resourced communities.
Identify opportunities to deepen impact, strengthen promising practices, and evolve programming in response to community needs and emerging approaches in prevention, behavioral health, and youth services.

Contract, Compliance & Quality Oversight

Provide leadership in ensuring prevention programs meet NYS OASAS standards, government contract requirements, and organizational expectations.
Serve as the primary program liaison to government and private funders, ensuring successful contract implementation, reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.
Lead quality assurance, continuous quality improvement, and evaluation efforts to support high-quality prevention programming and achievement of program goals.
Partner with finance, development, and organizational leadership to support budgeting, grant reporting, audits, and long-term funding sustainability.

Evaluation, Learning & Program Improvement

Strengthen systems for program monitoring, data collection, evaluation, and performance measurement to inform decision-making and demonstrate program impact.
Use data, community feedback, and program outcomes to guide continuous improvement and strengthen prevention programming.
Lead the preparation of reports, presentations, and communications for funders, partners, and internal stakeholders.
Foster a culture of learning and accountability across the team by centering evaluation as a tool for growth, reflection, and shared responsibility.

Staff Supervision & Capacity Building

Supervise a small team of program staff; provide coaching, support, and accountability to promote quality implementation and professional growth.
Foster a strong team culture that values lived experience, collaboration, and a shared commitment to community wellbeing.
Ensure staff meet training and credentialing requirements, such as CPP and CASAC, and coordinate ongoing professional development aligned with prevention and program goals.
Assess staffing and organizational capacity needs and collaborate with the Executive Director on future hiring, role development, and team structure.

Community Engagement & Partnership Development

Cultivate and sustain strong partnerships with schools, community-based organizations, coalitions, faith leaders, and neighborhood stakeholders to advance prevention goals and community care.
Represent ISS in community partnerships, coalitions, and cross-agency collaborations while elevating community voice in shaping prevention priorities and program development.
Partner with staff and community stakeholders to strengthen a shared understanding of prevention as a culturally responsive approach to supporting youth, families, and community wellbeing.
Advocate for culturally intelligent prevention approaches by helping translate evidence-based prevention frameworks into strategies that resonate with Asian American and immigrant communities, reduce stigma, and strengthen community trust in prevention efforts.

Organizational Leadership & Development

Partner with the Executive Director and senior leadership to shape organizational strategy, guide organization-wide planning, and support long-term sustainability.
Contribute to proposal writing, grant reporting, and organizational planning while helping identify opportunities for sustainable funding and program growth.
Bring a prevention- and community-centered lens to cross-departmental initiatives and organization-wide decision-making.

Core Qualifications

NYS OASAS-recognized prevention credential such as CPP, CASAC, LMSW, or equivalent.
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, prevention, education, behavioral health, or human services settings, including program development, staff supervision, and organizational leadership.
Experience managing or overseeing government-funded programs, grants, or contracts, including familiarity with compliance, reporting, and accountability requirements.
Knowledge of prevention frameworks, such as the Strategic Prevention Framework, including risk and protective factors, evidence-based strategies, and environmental approaches.
Demonstrated ability to develop, strengthen, and evaluate community-based programs that respond to evolving needs.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with community partners and diverse populations through culturally responsive, community-centered approaches.
Strong project management, organizational, writing, and analytical skills.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaborative leadership abilities.

Additional Strengths

Experience working with and building relationships with Asian American, immigrant, multilingual, low-income, or other historically underserved communities.
Familiarity with NYC and NYS government funding systems and contracts, such as OASAS, DYCD, and DOHMH.
Experience with youth development, community education, family-centered programming, and prevention-focused outreach.
Experience integrating youth voice, racial equity, and community organizing into prevention or human services work.
Experience developing or facilitating group education, trainings, or community learning initiatives.
Bilingual or bicultural background relevant to the communities served is a plus, along with sensitivity to cultural issues and the needs of youth and parents from diverse backgrounds.
Naloxone, First Aid, and/or CPR certifications, or willingness to obtain certification.

To Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to hr@issnyc.org.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and/or fingerprinting, depending on the position, which will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment in adherence to NYC Fair Chance Act guidelines.