Assistant Director, IS 190

Position Title

Assistant Director

Department 

SONYC

Site/Location

IS.190

Job Classification 

Non-Exempt

Full-Time  

Salary Range

$45,000

Reports To

Program Director

MISSION STATEMENT

East Side House cares for the individuals, families, and communities we serve by expanding opportunities to live more fulfilling lives through education, career, and supportive services.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/ Objective

East Side House (ESH), founded in 1891, is a 501(c) (3) organization that has served the South Bronx since 1963. The organization is dedicated to the community and focused on providing resources and opportunities. ESH has identified that education is the foundation for economic improvement and through its youth education and technology programs it teaches skills to allow its students and clients to become more self-sufficient and independent. As a community resource the organization also provides services to families and a growing senior population. In 2020 the organization began food distribution as an additional way to provide economic support to the community we serve. ESHs Youth After-School Academy, a literacy-focused after school program for students in grades 6 through 8 from high-poverty communities in Bronx, NY. ESH managed After School Programs offer students additional learning time in a fun, engaging, and safe environment. Students are offered a wide variety of activities including homework help, robotics, team sports, karate, dance, and music. Educational methods are used to build and reinforce the skills needed to reach New York State standards for promotion and graduation.

ESH’s SONYC Programs align with this mission by offering high-quality, year-round services within NYCHA community centers and school-based sites. These programs provide educational, recreational, cultural, and workforce readiness activities for youth, adults, and families.

Reporting to the Program Director, the Assistant Director plays a key role in the successful operation and implementation of program services. Working closely with the Program Director, this position ensures that each site is inclusive, welcoming, and responsive to the community's needs. The Assistant Director supports daily operations, staff supervision, community engagement, and the delivery of age-appropriate enrichment activities that promote academic success, leadership, and social-emotional development.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Assistant Director, will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Support the Program Director in the day-to-day oversight and coordination of all program operations, ensuring smooth delivery of services across youth, adult, and intergenerational components.
• Serve as the on-site lead during program hours, ensuring safety, structure, and engagement in alignment with ESH and DYCD standards.
• Assist with planning, scheduling, and supervising daily program activities and events,
• Monitor activity flow to ensure age-appropriate, culturally responsive, and community-centered programming.
• Ensure program spaces are clean, welcoming, and fully set up for scheduled activities, promptly address facility needs, or escalate to the Program Director.
• Supervise Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, and interns to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality programming.
• Provide daily coaching, feedback, and support to frontline staff, serving as the primary point of contact for staffing needs and issues.
• Assist in staff onboarding and orientation; model professional behavior and support ESH culture and expectations.
• Facilitate team huddles, debriefs, and staff check-ins in collaboration with the Program Director.
• Lead staff scheduling and ensure appropriate coverage for all sessions and activities.
• Foster a positive and inclusive environment where participants and families feel welcomed, supported, and heard.
• Support outreach and recruitment efforts to maintain enrollment goals and community involvement.
• Actively engage participants during program hours and provide support as needed for behavior management or conflict resolution.
• Assist with family engagement initiatives, community events, and advisory board/youth council coordination.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of attendance, incident reports, activity logs, and other required records.
• Support internal monitoring of DYCD Connect, CACFP logs, and daily compliance checklists.
• Communicate clearly with families, staff, and community partners as needed, and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with ESH departments, including HR, Finance, IT, and Facilities, to support operational needs.
• Support the preparation of calendars, flyers, and other program materials in collaboration with the Program Director.
• Serve as acting lead when the Program Director is off-site or unavailable.
• Support the coordination of quarterly beautification projects and agency-wide initiatives.
• Participate in agency trainings, team meetings, and strategic planning efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director or Senior Director.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Qualifications

To perform this position successfully, the Assistant Program Director must be able to fulfill all elements of the job description to the highest standard and work well with colleagues in a high-energy and collaborative work environment. Additional qualifications include:

Education / Experience

Associate's degree required; equivalent of 1+ years of experience in youth services or community programming accepted.

Familiarity with Bronx communities, local stakeholders, and available resources.

Experience in designing, planning, and implementing structured, outcome-based programming.

High proficiency in administrative tasks, including documentation, scheduling, and data entry.

Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and perform effectively under pressure.

Knowledge of the NYC public education system and best practices in positive youth development.

Strong written and verbal communication skills; highly organized and detail-oriented.

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.

Familiarity with DYCD regulations and experience using DYCD Connect or similar data systems strongly preferred.

Competencies

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Ability to supervise staff and support team performance.

Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with youth, families, staff, and community partners.

Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Commitment to positive youth development and community engagement.

Clearance

Employees must be cleared to work at ESH. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks and/or screenings.

Required Clearances

1. Clearance by the Department of Health (DOH)

1. Clearance by the Department of Education (DOE)

1. Clearance from the New York State Child Abuse Registry

1. Physical with TB screen

1. Must obtain NYC Department of Health fingerprint clearance and State Central Registry (SCR) clearance ($25 fee)

Required Trainings

1. Mandated Reporter Training, 2 hours - http://www.nysmandatedreporter.org/TrainingCourses.aspx

1. Health and Safety Training, 5 hours - https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is responsible for supervising and managing the performance of all designated employees assigned to the position within the department.

Physical Demands

This role may involve occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 pounds and routine use of standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expected Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position includes:

SONYC Programs: Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, aligned with school-based programming needs.

EEO Statement

East Side House (ESH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.