El Puente Independence Towers Senior Group Leader

Job Details Job Location: EPEPICLC - Brooklyn, NY 11249Position Type: Part TimeSalary Range: $25.00 - $25.00 HourlyThe Opportunity El Puente is seeking an experienced, energetic, and community-centered Senior Cornerstone Group Leader who is passionate about youth development and ready to take on a leadership role within our after-school program. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting both young people and fellow staff members. The Senior Cornerstone Group Leader serves as a lead mentor for youth while providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, and support to Group Leaders. This role helps ensure high-quality programming, consistent implementation of curriculum, and a safe, welcoming environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Working closely with the Program Director and Assistant Program Director, the Senior Group Leader helps maintain smooth daily operations, models best practices in youth engagement, and contributes to a collaborative team culture that reflects El Puente's mission and values. About El Puente Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered human rights organization rooted in Brooklyn, New York and Puerto Rico, using the arts, education, and environmental justice as tools to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice. For over four decades, El Puente has been building community-led movements grounded in self-determination, where young people, families, and communities are not only participants, but leaders shaping the future of their neighborhoods and beyond. Through a holistic leadership and membership model, the organization creates spaces where culture, identity, and activism intersect. El Puente's work spans Youth Leadership Centers across Brooklyn, a nationally recognized public high school, environmental justice initiatives, and organizing efforts that place community voice at the center of change. From local neighborhoods to global conversations, the organization continues to stand at the forefront of movements for equity, climate justice, and human rights. At its core, El Puente is deeply relational, intergenerational, and community-rooted. The work is dynamic and responsive, grounded in the lived experiences of the communities it serves. As a staff member, the Senior Cornerstone Group Leader is expected to uphold and embody the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization. The Role The Senior Cornerstone Group Leader plays a key leadership role in delivering a high-quality after-school and summer program for youth in grades K–8. Reporting to the designated program leadership team, this position is responsible for leading a cohort of participants while supporting the supervision, coaching, and development of Group Leaders. The Senior Group Leader will receive training, support and supervision that helps ensure program quality and the implementation of projects and activities that support participants’ development and critical thinking skills. This position will also support daily operations and assist with administrative responsibilities. This role is ideal for an experienced youth development professional who enjoys mentoring others, creating engaging learning environments, and leading by example. Key Responsibilities Youth Development and Program Leadership Build meaningful, supportive relationships with youth in grades K–8. Foster participants' academic, social-emotional, and leadership development. Develop and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and enrichment activities. Lead recreational, leadership, and team-building activities. Promote a structured, positive, and inclusive learning environment. Model positive youth development practices and restorative approaches to behavior management. Staff Leadership and Coaching Provide day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and support to Group Leaders. Assist with onboarding and training new staff members. Ensure lesson plans and activities are implemented consistently across groups. Work closely with (TBD supervisor) to support staff development through feedback and collaboration. Support classroom management strategies and assist with behavioral interventions when needed. Serve as a role model by demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and strong youth engagement practices. Program Operations and Administration Assist with participant records, and required documentation. When needed, prepare and submit incident reports, behavior documentation, supply requests, and other required reports in a timely manner. Help coordinate daily schedules, activity transitions, field trips, and special events. Ensure classrooms and shared spaces remain organized, clean, safe, and welcoming. Monitor program materials and supplies and communicate inventory needs. Support compliance with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), Department of Education (DOE), and organizational policies. Team Collaboration Collaborate closely with the designated program leadership team to maintain high-quality programming. Participate in Senior Group Leader training and development sessions as required, in addition other staff meetings. Contribute ideas to strengthen program quality, participant engagement, and family involvement. Build positive relationships with school personnel, families, community partners, and fellow staff. Qualifications Key Qualifications Successful candidates will demonstrate strong leadership skills, experience working with youth, and a strong interest in developing additional skills in program development, quality and staff training. Required Qualifications High school diploma or GED. Minimum of two 2 years of experience working with children or youth in after-school, educational, recreation, or community-based programs. Ability to successfully complete all required background checks and fingerprinting. Strong classroom management and conflict-resolution skills. Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership abilities. Preferred Qualifications Associate's degree or college coursework in Education, Youth Development, Human Services, Social Work, or a related field. Experience supervising or mentoring staff, interns, or volunteers. Experience developing enrichment programming. Knowledge of positive youth development and social-emotional learning practices. Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency. Demonstrated commitment to El Puente's mission, values, and community-centered approach. Compensation This is a part time role working approximately 25 hrs/week, starting at $25.00 per hour September 10th 2026 through June 18th 2027 El Puente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities it serves. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Latinx, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and other historically underrepresented communities. We value lived experience, community leadership, multilingualism, and cultural knowledge as essential assets in advancing our mission of youth leadership, justice, and community transformation. #J-18808-Ljbffr EL PUENTE DE WILLIAMSBURG INC