Program Director, COMPASS (53111)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and day-to-day management of the school-based youth development program. The Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality programming, regulatory compliance, contract performance, staff development, fiscal stewardship, and meaningful engagement with youth, families, schools, and community stakeholders. The Program Director leads all aspects of program implementation to ensure participants experience safe, engaging, and impactful opportunities that support academic success, social-emotional growth, leadership development, and community connection. The Program Director is expected to exercise sound judgment, demonstrate initiative, and serve as the primary leader responsible for the overall success, quality, compliance, and sustainability of the program site.

Program Leadership, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Lead day-to-day implementation and oversight of a high-quality COMPASS afterschool program that responds to the needs of the school and overall community.
• Ensure programming provides a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where students grow academically, socially, and personally.
• Deliver enriching programming that balances academic support with physical activity, social-emotional learning, arts, STEM, and leadership development. Prioritize inclusive, culturally responsive experiences that reflect students identities and lived experiences.
• Plan engaging activities that extend learning beyond the classroom and organize community-building experiences such as family nights, Health & Resource Fairs, Family Days, and special events that strengthen family engagement.
• Oversee the full enrollment process from outreach and recruitment through registration and retention. Convene orientations and maintain ongoing communication with families to support participation.
• Regularly assess program effectiveness, participant experience, and operational systems using data, observations, stakeholder feedback, and staff reflection. Lead continuous improvement efforts that strengthen program quality, participant outcomes, staff effectiveness, and operational excellence.
• Serve as an engaged member of the Performance Improvement Committee, bringing site-based insights and contributing to continuous improvement efforts that enhance staff performance, program quality, and participant experiences.
• Ensure the safety and security of each participant by following all RiseBoro after-school protocols and procedures regarding safety, supervision, accident and incident reporting.

Operations, Compliance & Contract Management

• Track, verifiy, and analyze records regularly, reconcile discrepancies, and submit attendance-related reports in compliance with funder requirements.
• Ensure the successful execution of programmatic, administrative, data, and fiscal responsibilities in alignment with contractual requirements, agency standards, and funder expectations.
• Ensure the site meets all SACC, DOH, and DYCD requirements at all times. Maintain up to date staff certifications and documentation and submit all program staff information through proper channels to support with sustaining compliance.
• Lead the timely and accurate completion of workscopes, applications, attendance submissions, verification tools, and all required funder reports, recognizing that strong compliance systems support program quality, accountability, and contract success.
• Establish and maintain clear systems of communication, accountability, and follow-through to ensure deadlines are met, concerns are addressed, and next steps are documented and acted upon.
• Oversee consultant and subcontractor agreements related to program services, ensuring all required documentation, approvals, and funder authorizations are secured prior to the commencement of services.
• Complete quarterly RiseBoro Board of Directors reports and other required agency reporting.
• Perform any other task as deemed necessary by program leadership or VP of Education.
• Monitor site expenditures, submit purchase requests with appropriate documentation, track spending against budget allocations, and proactively address or escalate fiscal variances to ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
• Own site performance by monitoring progress toward enrollment, attendance, participation, quality assurance, and outcome goals, implementing corrective action plans when performance falls below expectations.
• Anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and proactively implement solutions that strengthen program operations, participant experiences, staff effectiveness, and overall site performance.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise site staff including Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, and Youth Workers, etc.
• Provide ongoing coaching through staff meetings and individual supervision, connecting staff to development opportunities that support retention and program quality.
• Collaborate with Operations and HR teams to ensure program staffing needs are met, and vacancies are filled in a timely manner
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels, manage scheduling, and ensure consistent coverage. Review and submit bi-weekly timesheets and maintain all personnel records.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and collaborative team culture that reflects RiseBoros values and commitment to youth development.

Inclusion, Mental Health & Specialized Supports

• Serve as the Inclusion Coordinator, partnering with participants, families, and staff to identify and access accommodations, resources, and supports, including those provided through DYCD, to address individual needs and promote meaningful participation, equitable access, and belonging.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Accommodation Plans, Student Behavioral Support Plans, and related documentation to ensure participant needs are addressed consistently and appropriately.
• Coordinate direct and indirect supports, including securing paraprofessional and bilingual staffing, facilitating referrals for assessments and mental health evaluations, and connecting families to community resources as appropriate.
• Communicate with DYCD and relevant stakeholders regarding specialized supports that extend beyond program capacity, including requests related to paraprofessionals, nursing services, transportation, and other accommodations.
• Oversee implementation of Mental Health Supports requirements, ensuring staff complete required trainings related to mental health awareness, engagement and de-escalation strategies, crisis response protocols, and available resources.
• Complete required trainings on mental health spectrum, crisis response and organizational crisis navigation
• Strengthen the programs capacity to respond to youth mental health needs by identifying professional development opportunities, including the New York State Youth Peer Advocate Credential, and supporting eligible staff in accessing them.
• Collaborate with local mental health and behavioral health providers to establish and maintain an annual referral plan, ensure staff understand referral procedures, coordinate communication with providers, and track de-identified referral data.
• Develop and implement a customized crisis navigation plan in partnership with Social Workers, mental health professionals, and community providers.

School & Site Partnerships

• Serve as RiseBoros primary representative at the school site and liaison to DYCD officials, maintaining strong relationships with school leadership, funders, and community partners to ensure alignment, responsiveness, and shared success.
• Serve as a key connector between families, the school, and RiseBoros broader resources. Build trusting relationships with caregivers to support student success and maintain regular contact with DYCD officials and school partners throughout the program year.

COMPETENCIES

• Must have at least two years of supervisory experience and three years of experience administering youth programs.
• Must be able to multi-task, meet set deadlines, and demonstrate strong organization, communication, and writing skills.
• Must be proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality youth development practice, participant success, and continuous improvement.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish is a plus
• Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to supporting communities who have experienced systemic oppression and bias (e.g. people of color, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, justice involved persons, etc.).

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required knowledge, and skills may be considered qualifying:

• An associate's degree in child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation or a related field and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work or;
• A New York State Children's Program Administrator Credential and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work or;
• A School-Age Child Care Credential or other Office-recognized credential specific to the school-age developmental period and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work or;
• Two years of college with 18 credits in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation or a related field; and two years of direct experience working with children less than 13 years of age, including at least one year in a supervisory capacity in a childcare program or related field of work.

It is the policy of RiseBoro to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. No individual will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, political or union affiliation, marital or partnership status, sex, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity, familial status, genetic information or predisposition or characteristic, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a veteran or member of the U.S. military and related obligations, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job placement, compensation, benefits, training and apprenticeship, employee development, promotion, demotion, discipline, transfer, lay-off and recall, and termination. RiseBoro makes reasonable accommodations based on religion and/or disability as required by law, and requests for accommodation are to be directed to the Human Resources Department.