Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has worked with and provided free summer experiences to New York City children from low-income communities. More than 1.8 million children have been served through two core program areas, the Fresh Air Camps on Sharpe Reservation, and through visits to volunteer host families in states along the East Coast and into southern Canada. The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Today, thousands of boys and girls participate in Fresh Air programs each summer.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Fresh Air Fund made the heartbreaking decision to cancel its traditional camping and Friendly Towns (visiting host family) programs for Summer 2020. Still, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a fun and enriching summer to children from New York City’s low-income communities. As such, The Fresh Air Fund is planning four programming opportunities to keep the magic of summer alive: Fresh Air Everywhere (virtual programming); Fresh Air Summer Spaces (NYC-based programming); Fresh Air Youth Internships, Credentialing & Training (teen programming); and Fresh Air Family Wellness (family programming). All programming is free of charge.

Employment Opportunity: The Fresh Air Fund is recruiting Activity Specialists to work in our Summer Spaces programs. This is a 21-28 hour per week paid, seasonal position scheduled to begin in mid-July and end in late-August 2020.

Under the direct supervision of the Summer Spaces Site Coordinator, Activity Specialists work as part of a team in the energetic environment of The Fresh Air Fund’s Summer Spaces and are responsible for facilitating daily age-appropriate activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Set up, monitor, and breakdown all equipment and activities
• Ensure the safety of children and equipment
• Maintain the cleanliness of the play area facility
• Monitor for age-appropriate activity and behavior
• Plan and facilitate daily games and activities
• Ensure customer relations and satisfaction are among the top priorities of all staff

Education and/or Experience:
• High school diploma or higher
• Prior youth development activity facilitation experience preferred
• Certified in CPR/First Aid preferred but not mandatory
• Valid Driver’s License a plus

Language Skills:
• Ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals written in English
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence in English
• Ability to speak effectively with guests, co-workers, and groups
• Bilingual a plus

Physical demands and work environment: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• Sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk or hear
• Lift and/or move equipment/materials weighing 20+ pounds
• Exposure to wet, humid, and hot/very hot conditions

Employment Period: Through late August 2020
Hours per Week: 28-35 hours per week
Compensation: $20 per hour
Benefits: None

Interested candidates should apply at https://freshair.org/summer-2020-jobs/. No calls please.

The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.