Elementary Program Director; PS Roy Wilkins School

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization that has served as a bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL offers programs for children as young as 2 years old to young adults, including Head Start, after‑school programs, summer day camps, Play streets, evening teen centers, college readiness, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs.

A cornerstone of our youth development strategy is competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages.

• Candidates must be dedicated to learning and implementing Best Practices in the field of youth development.
• Candidates must be able to support programming that happens during the day, evenings, and weekends.
• Candidates must support the ideas and opportunities of the youth, staff, and community.
• Candidates must possess excellent communication and listening skills.
• Candidates must work together as a team to support PAL’s programming throughout the entire City.

• Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well‑being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
• Manage all aspects of PAL Elementary School After school Programming, including oversight of mental health support, inclusion coordination, and resources for youth with special or mental health needs.
• Recruit, hire, and supervise part‑time Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, Administrative Assistants, and Content Specialists.
• Ensure the program aligns with PAL’s strategic objectives, policies, SACC regulations, and contractual obligations of government and private funding sources.
• Develop a strong Youth Development culture, conduct observations, and coach staff on SEL, mental health, and inclusion policies.
• Coordinate with the Principal, Director, Regional Director, SYEP Director, and Head Quarters staff to enhance creative programming opportunities unique to the Site.
• Collect, analyze, and use program data to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong reciprocal partnerships with NYPD, NYCPS school partner, DYCD, DOH, and other community partners aligned with PAL’s mission.
• Plan and coordinate citywide programs, activities, and special events.
• Assist in developing future funding grants and requests for proposals.
• Provide mediation and troubleshooting for on‑site issues.
• Respond appropriately when time‑sensitive mental health services are needed, such as suicide prevention, grief, or loss due to death or incarceration of a family member.

What You Bring:

• Associate’s in child development, education, physical education, recreation, or a related field with two years of direct experience working with youth under 13; OR a NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential with 2 years of experience with youth under 13; OR a SACC Credential with 2 years of experience; OR two years in college with 18 credits in a relevant field plus two years of direct experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of successful supervisory experience providing services to youth, including at least three years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Open to learning and growing; all staff will receive training in mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion.
• Knowledge of DYCD Connect preferred;
  Microsoft Office skills required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively; bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.
• Able to travel to any PAL location in the 5 Boroughs for training.

Monday to Friday, 10:00‑6:00 pm with weekends and nights as needed.

The salary for this role is $68,000‑70,000 annually.

PAL…