The El Puente Williamsburg Leadership Center is a membership-based after-school youth and community development program that focuses on arts for social change, academic enrichment, and holistic leadership development for youth ages 13-19. El Puente runs several leadership centers and conducts advocacy, organizing and health and wellness activities for the community. This program focuses on the integration of a human rights consciousness and artistic development that allows its members to experience their creative potential while learning about social responsibility.
The Williamsburg Leadership Center is a membership program. El Puente’s membership model requires youth to commit to active participation within a structure designed to meet their varied developmental needs. Membership is the foundation of our mentoring and youth development programs, a process rooted in the organization’s mission to nurture and inspire leadership for peace and justice. The Assistant Director works with the Program Coordinator to oversee the facilitation of the Membership Process.
THE POSITION
As a staff member of El Puente, the Assistant Director is expected to uphold and work within the mission, philosophy and principles of the organization. The Assistant Director will report to the Program Director who oversees the Williamsburg Leadership Center and the Green Light District, El Puente’s 10-year community sustainability initiative. Therefore this Assistant Director will have a substantial role in developing and implementing program at WLC, with the guidance and support of the Program Director, and in partnership with the Education Coordinator, Program Coordinator, and facilitators.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Development and Leadership
● Work with Program Director to develop and implement year-round community center programming: afterschool program (ages 13-19) and summer arts and leadership programs (ages 13-19) that reflect El Puente’s Mission and 12 Principles, fulfill contractual objectives, and are structured, age-appropriate, and project-based.
● Supervise, support, and provide regular feedback and assessment to two full time staff members (Program Coordinator and Education Coordinator) and approximately 10 part-time staff members, including facilitators and administrative staff.
● Along with the Program Director, work with staff to develop curricula for activities, workshops and community service projects related to the El Puente model of youth mentoring and leadership development, in areas such as health and wellness, academic enrichment, engagement in the arts, and social justice issues.
● Work with the Program Director to develop, schedule and/or facilitate professional development activities for staff.
● Co-lead the development and integration of El Puente’s Membership model for youth leadership development with the Program Coordinator.
● Work with the Education Coordinator to develop and maintain a comprehensive academic support program that includes tutoring, test prep (Regents, SAT, specialized exams), and college and career preparation.
Recruitment and External Relations
● Co-lead the design and implementation of a multi-faceted strategy for participant recruitment and outreach, to include: developing and maintaining partnerships with principals and staff at local schools; street and community outreach.
● Assist Program Director in developing and maintaining partnerships with local community, civic and cultural organizations who could potentially provide resources to the program.
● Work with the Program Director and staff from other El Puente Leadership Centers to develop and facilitate special activities and workshops.
Administration and Operations
● Work with the Program Coordinator to oversee and create administrative systems that meet the needs of the program (including participant filing systems, data entry, attendance records, contact lists).
● Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, organizational and funder policies/protocols.
● Share in rotating administrator-on-duty (AOD) responsibilities with three other staff, including overseeing program day-to-day operations, communications and safety practices, building operations, and close-out of building at the end of programming.
● Coordinate staff scheduling and make program adjustments, arrange for coverage or personally fill in when staff members are absent.
● Manage administrative correspondence (regular reports to funders, etc.) on behalf of the program.
● Attend all appropriate staff and team meetings, workshops, and events.
QUALIFICATIONS:
● Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience
● Minimum 2 years experience in a lead or supervisory role of a youth program (after-school, summer camp, etc.) with a focus on high school students
● Experience with using formal youth mentoring models/curricula
● Demonstrated experience in and commitment to community outreach, youth and community development, social justice issues and community organizing
● Experience designing and facilitating community service/development projects
● Experience working with a diverse staff and a diverse youth and family population
● Strong management, supervisory and facilitation skills
● Strong interpersonal skills and (spoken and written) communication skills
● Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to handle multiple tasks independently, or with a team.
● Computer skills, especially in MS Word, Excel and experience with and/or the ability to learn online database systems.
● Spanish proficiency preferred
HOW TO APPLY
Please send cover letter, resume, and two professional references to Sarita Daftary, sdaftary@elpuente.us, with the subject line “Assistant Director.”
