Program Specialist

Program Specialist

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Senior Director

Location: Queens, NY (4 days onsite-1 day remote)

Salary Range: $75,000-$80,000

About AAFSC

For over 30 years, the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) has proudly served immigrants and refugees. We help children stay safe, families remain together, and newcomers navigate life in New York City. While our doors are open to all, AAFSC has expertise in serving Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim, and South Asian communities.

Job Summary

The Respect and Responsibility (R&R) Program is a community-based, non-mandated initiative developed under New York City's Interrupting Violence at Home framework. Administered by the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) in partnership with the NYC Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA), R&R is a cornerstone of the City's efforts to prevent and address intimate partner violence.

This innovative program provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed, strengths-based intervention services to individuals 21+ who have caused harm or are at risk of causing harm in their relationships. Through a combination of individual assessments, group-based programming, and supportive services, R&R seeks to interrupt cycles of abuse, foster accountability, and promote long-term behavioral change. Participants are guided in developing healthy relationship skills rooted in equity, respect, and consent.

The Program Specialist (PS) will play a key role in delivering direct services to participants through group facilitation, individualized support, and community outreach. The ideal candidate will be deeply invested in restorative justice principles and skilled in engaging individuals in a non-judgmental, transformative process.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and engagement activities to educate communities about the R&R program, build partnerships with community stakeholders, and directly engage prospective participants. Minimum of (2) community outreach events required per month for the first year with the possibility to increase.
• Conduct groups with fluency in English and Arabic, Bangla, Spanish and/or Urdu, ensuring nuanced understanding and participant comfort.
• In collaboration with the senior program Counselor and Program Director, assist in facilitating a quarterly 12-session group intervention using the Respect and Responsibilities curriculum. A minimum of (4) cohorts must be conducted annually, each engaging 10–15 participants in each group for a total of 40-60 participants annually.
• Create a structured, safe, and confidential environment that is sensitive to cultural norms surrounding shame, honor, and family privacy while firmly promoting accountability, wellness and change.
• Conduct trauma-informed, strengths-based individual assessments with participants to identify service needs, risks, and resiliency factors that inform personalized support.
• Support participant recruitment efforts to meet quarterly and annual goals including, but not limited to, follow up calls, intake scheduling, and retention strategies.
• Provide case management to program participants including but not limited to providing information and filing-support regarding public assistance and other government entitlements, housing/shelter applications and transfers, short term financial assistance, food pantries and clothing donation sites.
• Identify and provide referrals as needed.
• In coordination with the Program Director and Senior Counselor, provide ongoing case management and group facilitation services that support behavioral change, accountability, and connection to additional resources.
• Develop and maintain an in-house data collection system in collaboration with ENDGBV to support real-time evaluation of program outcomes and inform service delivery improvements.
• Collaborate with ENDGBV to align services with broader citywide goals and protocols, ensuring participant safety, confidentiality, and high-quality service delivery.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including attendance, assessments, case notes, and data reporting as required.
• Uphold confidentiality policies, mandatory reporting protocols, and best practices for working with individuals who have caused harm in a non-punitive, accountability focused framework.
• Participate in regular supervision, training, and peer learning opportunities to ensure consistent, values-driven, and reflective practice.
• Assist in developing informational materials and presentations about the program and our work.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in AAFSC and FJC meetings and internal and external trainings.
• Remain updated on technical and professional knowledge by attending educational workshops, joining professional associations, and building networks with fellow professionals.
• Adhere to all program, agency, and citywide confidentiality and mandatory reporting policies and communicate these policies clearly to participants.
• Prioritize victim/survivor safety.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, or a related field, with relevant professional experience required; Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• An understanding of the dynamics and complexities of domestic and gender-based violence, power and control dynamics, the complex systems that impact survivors' and participants' lives, the effects of childhood and adult trauma on persons causing harm, and a demonstrated commitment to utilizing trauma-informed, client-centered engagement and intervention practices with participants.
• Demonstrated interest in restorative justice and experience working with diverse stakeholders on harm reduction and violence intervention strategies.
• Strong understanding of trauma, accountability, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in Arabic, Bangla, Spanish and/or Urdu preferred.
• Experience and creativity in navigating medical, legal, and social services systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and maintain a non-judgmental, empathetic approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft, Apricot or other case note management systems.
• Job contingent upon pre-employment background check.
• U.S. Work Authorization is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply