Program Coordinator/Lead Teacher

At Providence Center, we empower children and teens through education and enrichment programs. The Program Coordinator/Lead Teacher designs, manages, and leads high-quality youth development initiatives. During the school year, this role focuses on academic enrichment, recreation, and social-emotional learning in our after school program for K-8th grade students. During the summer, the coordinator shifts operations to design and oversee specialized programs tailored specifically to high school students in our Summer Leadership Academy, focusing on workforce readiness, life skills, and post-secondary planning. This position requires a dynamic leader who can seamlessly adapt engagement strategies across multiple age groups and seasonal structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Management: Oversee daily operations of the K-8 after-school program during the academic year, and pivot to manage summer initiatives for high school youth.
• Activity Design & Execution: Implement age-appropriate enrichment activities (STEM, arts, literacy) for K-8 students, and develop specialized workshops (work readiness, career exposure, life skills, financial literacy) for summer high schoolers.
• Staff Leadership & Coaching: Recruit, supervise, and mentor a team of part-time Teen Leaders, supporting a balance of high performance at work and academic excellence.
• Compliance & Administrative Operations: Maintain strict adherence to childcare licensing standards, manage student files, track daily attendance, and compile data required for grant reporting and quality improvement.
• Community & Family Partnerships: Build strong relationships with parents, school administrators, and community partners to support student recruitment, retention, and holistic success.

Role Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or a related field, or  

• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field plus 1 year of experience working with youth, or  

• High school diploma/GED plus 2 years of experience (2,500 hours) working with youth. 
• Clearances : Pennsylvania Child Abuse, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Check, FBI as required by DHS, National Sex Offender Registry, and any applicable out of state clearances

Soft Skills Required: 

• Demonstrated track record of excellent attendance and punctuality in previous child care, education, or youth development roles.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to build positive rapport with a diverse range of students, parents, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Noteworthy organizational and time-management skills, seeing projects and tasks through from start to final delivery.

• Problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and adapt to changing situations. 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Bilingual- English/Spanish (preferred) 

• Some experience in teaching or curriculum development, and in creating a fun and safe learning environment 

• Familiarity with systemic issues in education in urban environments

• Strong understanding of child development, trauma-informed practices, and behavior management

Benefits: 

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• Paid time off: 2 personal days, 5 sick days, 10 vacation days,12 holidays plus winter break (9 days between Christmas Eve-New Year's Day).

• Professional development
• Employer retirement contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer 

Location and Schedule: 

• In-person, Philadelphia, PA 19133 ; remote work available on non-program days
• 40 hours, Monday to Friday

ABOUT PROVIDENCE CENTER 
Providence Center is an independent nonprofit organization, founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in 1993 in response to the closing of St. Edward parish and school, where the Sisters had taught and worked for over one hundred years. From the beginning, when the Sisters went door-to-door asking neighbors what they needed, Providence Center has focused on addressing the pressing needs of our community. We are guided by the Sisters’ commitment to “meet the wants of the age”, and we carry out their legacy of being “a love full of action”. Our mission is to educate people to have the power and spirit to transform their lives and community. 

Providence Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Providence Center maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees and applicants for employment.