Group Leader

Group Leader

Salary Range $17.00 - $19.75 Hourly Level Entry Position Type Part Time Education Level High School Category Education

Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. We envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success. Roads to Success (RTS) facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school programs, summer camps, retreats, conferences, and summer employment opportunities reaching thousands of young people throughout New York City each year. RTS emphasizes the youth development practice of the Circle of Courage throughout its programs, creating environments of Belonging, where young people can build their Independence, develop Mastery, and practice Generosity within their communities. At the core of our programs are staff development strategies designed to help youth development professionals build meaningful relationships with the young people in their care, whom we call Our Future Leaders.

The Group Leader is a frontline youth development professional responsible for the daily supervision, engagement, safety, and development of participants within an assigned group. Reporting to the Program Director, the Group Leader creates a safe, structured, welcoming, and engaging program environment while supporting enrichment activities, academic support, recreation, transitions, meals, arrival, and dismissal. The Group Leader serves as a consistent positive role model for participants and plays a critical role in building relationships, maintaining program expectations, and ensuring young people have a high-quality program experience. Group Leaders work collaboratively with Activity Specialists, Assistant Directors, Program Directors, and other program staff to promote participant engagement, positive behavior, and successful program implementation.

Organizational Role Reports To: Program Director Employment Type: Part-Time Schedule: Up to 18 hours per week, Monday–Friday; schedule based on assigned program needs Compensation: $17.00–$19.75 per hour Work Classification: Class A: Onsite Essential (Program Staff) – 5 days onsite at assigned program site(s) Location: New York City; assigned RTS program site

Responsibilities Youth Supervision & Safety • Maintain active supervision of participants at all times during assigned program periods. • Maintain awareness of participant locations, activities, and needs throughout the program day. • Ensure participants are appropriately accounted for during arrival, dismissal, transitions, activities, meals, trips, and other program components. • Follow established sign-in, attendance, transition, and dismissal procedures. • Maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios in accordance with program requirements. • Reinforce program expectations, safety procedures, and appropriate behavior. • Immediately report accidents, injuries, safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, behavioral incidents, or other concerns to the Program Director or designated site leadership in accordance with RTS procedures. • Follow all emergency, incident response, and participant safety protocols. • Never leave participants unsupervised or transfer supervisory responsibility without appropriate staff communication and coverage.

Youth Development & Engagement • Build positive, supportive, and professional relationships with program participants. • Create an environment where young people feel safe, welcomed, respected, included, and valued. • Support the implementation of the Circle of Courage principles of Belonging, Independence, Mastery, and Generosity. • Serve as a positive and consistent role model for participants. • Encourage youth voice, choice, leadership, teamwork, and positive peer relationships. • Support participants in developing social-emotional skills, confidence, responsibility, and healthy decision-making. • Recognize participant strengths and provide appropriate encouragement and positive reinforcement. • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants at all times. Group & Behavior Management • Establish and reinforce clear group expectations, routines, and behavioral standards. • Use positive behavior management, restorative practices, redirection, and developmentally appropriate interventions. • Address conflicts between participants calmly, fairly, and consistently. • Work proactively to prevent behavioral concerns by maintaining participant engagement and structured routines. • Seek assistance from program leadership when behavioral concerns require additional intervention. • Document behavioral incidents or participant concerns when required. • Support an inclusive environment that respects the individual needs, identities, backgrounds, and abilities of all participants. Program Activities & Facilitation • Lead and support age-appropriate recreational, enrichment, community-building, and youth development activities. • Assist Activity Specialists and other instructional staff with activity implementation and group management. • Facilitate activities assigned by program leadership using established lesson plans or program materials

Prepare activity spaces and materials before programming and support cleanup following activities. • Encourage active participation while appropriately supporting youth who may require additional assistance. • Adapt facilitation approaches based on participant needs and direction from program leadership. • Support special events, showcases, field trips, community activities, and other program initiatives. Academic Support • Support participants during homework help, tutoring, literacy, or academic enrichment periods as assigned. • Encourage participants to remain focused, organized, and engaged during academic activities. • Provide age-appropriate assistance while encouraging participants to develop independence and problem-solving skills. • Communicate academic concerns or patterns observed during programming to site leadership when appropriate. Attendance, Arrival & Dismissal • Take and maintain accurate participant attendance as assigned. • Conduct headcounts and participant checks during transitions and throughout the program day. • Support safe and orderly participant arrival and dismissal. • Follow all authorized pickup and dismissal procedures. • Immediately communicate attendance discrepancies or dismissal concerns to program leadership. • Ensure participants transition safely and efficiently between activities and program spaces.

Team Collaboration • Work collaboratively with the Program Director, Assistant Director, Activity Specialists, fellow Group Leaders, school personnel, and other program staff. • Communicate relevant participant information and program concerns to appropriate site leadership. • Participate in staff meetings, supervision, professional development, orientation, and required training. • Arrive prepared and ready to support the program at the scheduled start of each shift. • Receive and apply feedback and coaching provided by supervisors. • Assist colleagues as needed to maintain effective program operations and participant supervision. • Contribute to a positive, respectful, accountable, and team-oriented workplace culture.

Program Quality & Documentation • Maintain accurate attendance records, incident documentation, activity materials, and other assigned program records. • Follow established program schedules and operating procedures. • Support participant surveys, assessments, program observations, and other quality improvement activities as assigned. • Participate in coaching, observations, and performance feedback processes. • Maintain confidentiality regarding participants, families, staff, and organizational information. • Follow RTS, school, funder, and regulatory requirements applicable to the assigned program. Professional Conduct • Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and consistency. • Maintain professional communication with participants, families, colleagues, school personnel, and partners. • Maintain appropriate dress and conduct consistent with the program environment and organizational expectations. • Use organizational technology, communications systems, and program resources appropriately. • Follow all RTS policies, procedures, codes of conduct, and employee expectations. • Immediately elevate concerns that could affect participant safety, program quality, compliance, or organizational operations.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Director or designated program leadership in support of program and organizational priorities.

Qualifications • Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred, or currently pursuing a high school diploma where permitted by applicable program and regulatory requirements. • Youth Development Experience: Previous experience working with children or adolescents in after-school programs, summer camps, schools, recreation programs, community organizations, mentoring programs, childcare, or similar settings preferred. • Youth Engagement: Ability to engage young people in structured activities while maintaining appropriate expectations and boundaries. • Supervision: Ability to actively supervise groups of children and maintain awareness of participant safety and needs. • Behavior Management: Ability to use positive and developmentally appropriate approaches to participant behavior and conflict. • Communication: Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills. • Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with program staff and follow the direction of site leadership. • Professionalism: Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, good judgment, and willingness to learn. • Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in an active and changing youth program environment. • Ability to complete all required background checks, clearances, trainings, certifications, and documentation required by RTS, school partners, funders, and applicable regulatory agencies

Working Conditions • This position is classified as Class A: Onsite Essential (Program Staff) and requires onsite attendance five days per week at the assigned program site during scheduled working hours. • Work is primarily performed in NYC public schools and/or community-based program locations. • The role requires regular and sustained interaction with children and adolescents. • Employees must remain attentive and actively engaged while supervising participants. • The position may involve standing, walking, bending, sitting, moving between classrooms or program areas, and participating in recreational activities for extended periods. • Must be able to navigate stairs and lift or carry program materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. • May require participation in field trips, outdoor programming, special events, school holiday programming, or occasional evening or weekend activities based on program needs. Core Competencies Active Supervision & Safety • Maintains consistent awareness of participants and the program environment. • Follows established safety, attendance, transition, and dismissal procedures. • Recognizes and appropriately escalates safety or participant concerns. Youth-Centered Practice • Demonstrates enthusiasm and patience when working with young people. • Builds appropriate, supportive relationships with participants. • Creates an environment that promotes belonging, participation, and positive development. Group Management • Establishes clear expectations and routines. • Uses positive reinforcement and appropriate redirection. • Maintains structure while remaining supportive and responsive to individual participant needs. Engagement & Facilitation • Encourages active participation in program activities. • Demonstrates energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. • Supports Activity Specialists and program staff in creating engaging experiences for participants. Collaboration & Communication • Works