Group Leader

Job Description – Group LeaderOUR MISSIONOur mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future.OUR VISIONWe envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success.PROGRAM DESIGNRoads to Success (RTS) facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school programs,summer camps, retreats, conferences, and summer employment opportunities reachingthousands 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, developMastery, and practice Generosity within their communities. At the core of our programs are staffdevelopment strategies designed to help youth development professionals build meaningfulrelationships with the young people in their care, whom we call Our Future Leaders.PRIMARY FUNCTIONThe Group Leader is a frontline youth development professional responsible for the dailysupervision, engagement, safety, and development of participants within an assigned group.Reporting to the Program Director, the Group Leader creates a safe, structured, welcoming, andengaging program environment while supporting enrichment activities, academic support,recreation, transitions, meals, arrival, and dismissal. The Group Leader serves as a consistentpositive role model for participants and plays a critical role in building relationships, maintainingprogram expectations, and ensuring young people have a high-quality program experience.Group Leaders work collaboratively with Activity Specialists, Assistant Directors, ProgramDirectors, and other program staff to promote participant engagement, positive behavior, andsuccessful program implementation.ORGANIZATIONAL ROLEReports To: Program DirectorEmployment Type: Part-TimeSchedule: Up to 18 hours per week, Monday–Friday; schedule based on assigned program needsCompensation: $17.00–$19.75 per hourWork Classification: Class A: Onsite Essential (Program Staff) – 5 days onsite at assignedprogram site(s)Location: New York City; assigned RTS program siteRESPONSIBILITIESYouth Supervision & Safety• Maintain active supervision of participants at all times during assigned program periods.• Maintain awareness of participant locations, activities, and needs throughout the programday.• 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 siteleadership in accordance with RTS procedures.• Follow all emergency, incident response, and participant safety protocols.• Never leave participants unsupervised or transfer supervisory responsibility withoutappropriate 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, andvalued.• 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, andhealthy decision-making.• Recognize participant strengths and provide appropriate encouragement and positivereinforcement.• 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 developmentallyappropriate interventions.• Address conflicts between participants calmly, fairly, and consistently.• Work proactively to prevent behavioral concerns by maintaining participant engagementand structured routines.• Seek assistance from program leadership when behavioral concerns require additionalintervention.• 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, andyouth development activities.• Assist Activity Specialists and other instructional staff with activity implementation andgroup management.• Facilitate activities assigned by program leadership using established lesson plans orprogram materials.• Prepare activity spaces and materials before programming and support cleanup followingactivities.• Encourage active participation while appropriately supporting youth who may requireadditional assistance.• Adapt facilitation approaches based on participant needs and direction from programleadership.• Support special events, showcases, field trips, community activities, and other programinitiatives.Academic Support• Support participants during homework help, tutoring, literacy, or academic enrichmentperiods as assigned.• Encourage participants to remain focused, organized, and engaged during academicactivities.• Provide age-appropriate assistance while encouraging participants to developindependence and problem-solving skills.• Communicate academic concerns or patterns observed during programming to siteleadership when appropriate.Attendance, Arrival & Dismissal• Take and maintain accurate participant attendance as assigned.• Conduct headcounts and participant checks during transitions and throughout the programday.• Support safe and orderly participant arrival and dismissal.• Follow all authorized pickup and dismissal procedures.• Immediately communicate attendance discrepancies or dismissal concerns to programleadership.• 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 siteleadership.• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, professional development, orientation, andrequired 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 participantsupervision.• Contribute to a positive, respectful, accountable, and team-oriented workplace culture.Program Quality & Documentation• Maintain accurate attendance records, incident documentation, activity materials, andother assigned program records.• Follow established program schedules and operating procedures.• Support participant surveys, assessments, program observations, and other qualityimprovement activities as assigned.• Participate in coaching, observations, and performance feedback processes.• Maintain confidentiality regarding participants, families, staff, and organizationalinformation.• Follow RTS, school, funder, and regulatory requirements applicable to the assignedprogram.Professional Conduct• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and consistency.• Maintain professional communication with participants, families, colleagues, schoolpersonnel, and partners.• Maintain appropriate dress and conduct consistent with the program environment andorganizational expectations.• Use organizational technology, communications systems, and program resourcesappropriately.• 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 designatedprogram leadership in support of program and organizational priorities.QUALIFICATIONS• Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred, or currently pursuing a high schooldiploma where permitted by applicable program and regulatory requirements.• Youth Development Experience: Previous experience working with children oradolescents 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 whilemaintaining appropriate expectations and boundaries.• Supervision: Ability to actively supervise groups of children and maintain awareness ofparticipant safety and needs.• Behavior Management: Ability to use positive and developmentally appropriateapproaches 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 siteleadership.• Professionalism: Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, good judgment, and willingness tolearn.• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in an active and changing youth programenvironment.• Ability to complete all required background checks, clearances, trainings, certifications,and documentation required by RTS, school partners, funders, and applicable regulatoryagencies.WORKING CONDITIONS• This position is classified as Class A: Onsite Essential (Program Staff) and requires onsiteattendance five days per week at the assigned program site during scheduled workinghours.• Work is primarily performed in NYC public schools and/or community-based programlocations.• 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 orprogram areas, and participating in recreational activities for extended periods.• Must be able to navigate stairs and lift or carry program materials weighing up toapproximately 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.• May require participation in field trips, outdoor programming, special events, school holidayprogramming, or occasional evening or weekend activities based on program needs.CORE COMPETENCIESActive 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 participantneeds.Engagement & Facilitation• Encourages active participation in program activities.• Demonstrates energy, creativity, and enthusiasm.• Supports Activity Specialists and program staff in creating engaging experiences forparticipants.Collaboration & Communication• Works effectively as part of a program team.• Communicates participant and program concerns appropriately and promptly.• Receives feedback constructively and incorporates coaching into practice.Accountability & Professionalism• Arrives on time and prepared for assigned responsibilities.• Follows through on expectations and assigned tasks.• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and appropriateboundaries.Cultural Competency & Equity• Demonstrates respect for individuals from diverse cultural, racial, socioeconomic,linguistic, and other backgrounds.• Supports inclusive and culturally responsive program environments.• Treats participants, families, colleagues, and partners with dignity and respect.Adaptability & Growth• Responds appropriately to changing program circumstances.• Demonstrates willingness to learn new strategies and participate in professionaldevelopment.• Remains flexible while maintaining program expectations and participant safety.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERRoads to Success is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receiveconsideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disabilitystatus, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees feel welcomeand valued. We believe diversity and inclusion are essential to our success in serving youth.AT-WILL EMPLOYMENTEmployment with Roads to Success is at will, consistent with applicable New York State law. Eitherthe employee or Roads to Success may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with orwithout notice or cause, subject to applicable law.Nothing contained in this job description creates or should be interpreted as creating a contract ofemployment or guarantee of employment for any specific period.DISCLAIMERThis job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essentialfunctions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that may beassigned to the staff member. Specific duties and responsibilities may change from time to timebased on programmatic and organizational needs.The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, withor without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualifiedindividuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law, absent undue hardship. #J-18808-Ljbffr