Program Assistant

Basic Function

The Program Assistant is a hands-on, direct-service position responsible for helping create a safe, engaging, and supportive after-school environment for elementary and middle school students. Working as part of the Learning Center team, the Program Assistant provides academic support, facilitates enrichment and youth development activities, assists with mentoring, and builds positive relationships with students.

The Program Assistant is expected to plan and facilitate age-appropriate lessons and activities that support U.S. Dream Academy's academic, skill-building, character-building, and dream-building programming. This position requires someone who understands how to engage young people, manage groups effectively, adapt activities to student needs, and contribute positively to a collaborative program environment.

The ideal candidate has experience in youth development and/or education, strong classroom or group-management skills, and the ability to develop engaging lesson plans and activities for elementary and middle school students.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Service and Program Delivery

• Work directly with elementary and middle school students during daily after-school programming.
• Plan, prepare, and facilitate age-appropriate lessons, activities, and enrichment experiences aligned with U.S. Dream Academy's program goals and curriculum.
• Develop lesson plans that include clear objectives, engaging activities, appropriate materials, and opportunities for student participation and learning.
• Adapt lessons and activities based on students' ages, abilities, interests, learning needs, and level of engagement.
• Provide homework assistance, academic support, and guidance with multimedia and other learning activities.
• Lead individual and group activities focused on academic enrichment, skill-building, character development, and dream-building.
• Use effective classroom and group-management strategies to maintain a positive, structured, and engaging learning environment.
• Encourage student participation and help students develop confidence, positive relationships, and appropriate social-emotional skills.
• Support smooth transitions between activities, program spaces, mentoring sessions, arrival, and dismissal.
• Provide active supervision and maintain awareness of student safety and well-being at all times.
• Assist with implementing pre- and post-academic assessments and other student learning activities.
• Attend and supervise students during field trips, special events, and off-site activities as assigned.

Student and Mentoring Support

• Build positive, appropriate, and supportive relationships with students.
• Assist students in preparing for virtual and in-person mentoring sessions and ensure they have the appropriate space, technology, and materials.
• Help maintain an environment that supports successful mentor-mentee interactions.
• Monitor student participation and communicate concerns regarding student engagement, behavior, academic needs, or well-being to appropriate program leadership.
• Support student recruitment, family engagement activities, and Learning Center events as needed.

Program Operations

• Maintain accurate daily attendance, sign-in/sign-out records, mentor session attendance, and other required program records.
• Assist with the collection and organization of student documentation, including registration materials, consent forms, report cards, school attendance information, assessments, and other required records.
• Prepare instructional materials, supplies, technology, and program spaces before activities.
• Help maintain organized, clean, and appropriately stocked student and program areas.
• Assist with preparing and distributing snacks and completing required food-service documentation.
• Monitor program technology and equipment, and promptly report any problems to the appropriate staff.
• Follow all established safety, emergency, student supervision, incident-reporting, and program procedures.
• Participate in required staff meetings, training sessions, and the annual National Staff Training.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the responsibilities and level of the position.

Job Requirements

• Strong interest in and commitment to working with children and youth.
• Knowledge of positive youth development practices and age-appropriate approaches for working with elementary and middle school students.
• Ability to develop, organize, and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and activities.
• Ability to establish clear learning objectives and select appropriate activities and materials to support those objectives.
• Strong classroom and group-management skills.
• Ability to engage students with different learning styles, interests, abilities, and needs.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with children and adults.
• Patience, consistency, flexibility, and the ability to respond appropriately to changing student and program needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a program team and receive and apply feedback and direction.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain accurate attendance, program, and student documentation.
• Sound judgment and the ability to recognize and appropriately communicate student, safety, or program concerns.
• Understanding of the challenges that may affect children and families in under-resourced communities, including the impact of parental incarceration and adverse childhood experiences.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree, coursework, or professional training in Education, Youth Development, Child Development, Human Services, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with elementary and/or middle school students in a school, after-school, summer, recreation, mentoring, tutoring, or similar youth-development environment preferred.
• Previous experience developing and implementing lesson plans or structured educational or enrichment activities required.
• Classroom, group-management, tutoring, teaching, or instructional experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with youth and families in under-resourced communities preferred.
• Current or retired educators and other experienced youth-development professionals are encouraged to apply.

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with elementary and middle school students using age-appropriate language and approaches.
• Ability to provide clear instructions, explain activities and expectations, and redirect student behavior in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to communicate professionally and appropriately with parents and caregivers, school personnel, mentors, volunteers, colleagues, and other program partners.
• Ability to listen effectively, respond appropriately to questions and concerns, and recognize when information or concerns should be referred to program leadership.
• Ability to accurately and promptly communicate student progress, participation, behavioral concerns, incidents, and other relevant information to appropriate staff.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow organizational policies, program procedures, lesson plans, safety requirements, and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare clear and accurate routine documentation, incident information, program records, and written correspondence as required.
• Ability to work collaboratively, receive feedback professionally, and communicate effectively as part of a team.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position works primarily in an active school-based and/or Learning Center environment and requires regular interaction with children, staff, families, volunteers, and other program participants.

The employee may be required to sit or stand for extended periods and participate in intermittent physical activity, including walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, kneeling, and stooping. The position may require lifting and moving program materials, supplies, or equipment weighing up to approximately 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.