After School Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Program Director – After-School Programs (Queens, NY)

The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC) is seeking a passionate and experienced Program Director to lead one of our after-school programs serving children and youth in Queens, NY . This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated leader who is committed to creating safe, enriching, and engaging environments where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

As the on-site leader, the Program Director is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and successful operation of a COMPASS, SONYC, or BEACON after-school program. The ideal candidate is an organized, collaborative professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for youth development.

SONYC / COMPASS: Must be available Monday to Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

BEACON: Must be available to work some nights and weekends.

What You'll Do

• Lead the day-to-day operations of a high-quality after-school program.
• Ensure full compliance with all DYCD, DOH, and OCFS regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate program staff while fostering a positive, team-oriented culture.
• Develop and implement engaging educational, recreational, enrichment, and leadership activities that support participants' academic, social, emotional, and personal growth.
• Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and service-learning principles into daily programming to promote positive youth development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school administrators, families, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor program quality, attendance, participant outcomes, and staff performance to ensure program excellence.
• Manage daily scheduling, supplies, and administrative responsibilities.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment where every participant feels safe, respected, and empowered.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or a closely related field and at least two (2) years of direct experience working with children under the age of 13, including one (1) year in a supervisory role within a childcare program or related setting.

OR

• New York State Children's Program Administrator Credential and at least two (2) years of direct experience working with children under the age of 13, including one (1) year in a supervisory role within a childcare program or related setting.

OR

• School Age Child Care Credential (SACC) or another credential recognized by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for the school-age developmental period and at least two (2) years of direct experience working with children under the age of 13, including one (1) year in a supervisory role within a childcare program or related setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing COMPASS, SONYC, BEACON, or other DYCD-funded programs.
• Strong knowledge of DYCD, DOH, and OCFS regulations and compliance standards.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supervising diverse teams and building positive staff culture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and DYCD reporting systems.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.