[Immediate start] Youth Worker (12 month) - Highbridge Elementary

Youth Workers lead groups of students daily in activities including sports, social-emotional learning, enrichment, and academic support programming in our elementary (REAL Kids) and middle school (DreamBuilders/DREAM University) after school and summer program in East Harlem and the South Bronx.

Youth Workers will have the opportunity to participate in professional development, in addition to receiving regular feedback and support. This is an excellent opportunity to build your youth development and teaching skills while working with a passionate and supportive team. Successful Youth Workers have the opportunity to apply for the DREAM Teaching Fellowship, through which they can earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and become full-time teachers at DREAM.

• During the School Year: Lead a group of up to 18-20 youth in daily after-school activities including sports, social-emotional learning, enrichment and academic support; Support with homework completion and other academic enrichment;

• During the Summer: Lead a group of up to 28 youth in daily summer camp activities including sports, social-emotional learning, enrichment and academics; Support the Summer Teacher, helping to implement daily literacy and math activities; Support Athletics Coaches in coaching sports teams;

• Facilitate or co-facilitate lessons to help youth build their social and emotional skills;

• Collaborate with team to plan & facilitate various enrichment activities;

• Model and encourage positive participation in all daily activities, with a focus on team building;

• Model professionalism through consistent attendance, timeliness and preparation;

• Supervise and manage youth behavior at all times using positive youth development strategies;

• Participate in regular professional development and tactical training in addition to formal feedback and coaching;

• Implement all health and safety protocols as required;

• Use a restorative approach to manage student behaviors;

• Other duties as assigned.

• 18 years of age or older by the start date, required;

• High school diploma or equivalent, required;

• Ability to work during all scheduled hours, required;

• Ability to work in person at the school or program site, required;

• Experience working successfully with groups of school-age children in a classroom or other youth development setting, strongly preferred;

• Experience with behavior management, including positive youth development, preferred;

• Exhibits high energy, warmth, enthusiasm and patience in working with youth;

• Ability to quickly problem-solve in the moment;

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team setting;

• Ability to communicate effectively with families;

• Comfort with technology and ability to use common platforms, including Google Suite (Gmail and Gchat);

• Eagerness to grow professionally, including openness to receiving and implementing feedback;

• Flexibility: willing and able to shift tasks and priorities as needed;

• Belief in the importance of social emotional competency and advocacy for self and others;

• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• Start date: August 25, 2026

• This schedule for this position is different in the school year versus the summer. Please see below for days and hours.

• School Year Schedule (late August to early/mid June): Monday-Thursday, 3-6pm and Fridays, 12-4pm, when after school is in session

• Summer Schedule (late June to late July/early August): Monday-Friday, 8am-5:15pm

• Dates and hours are subject to change.

• DREAM offers the following benefits to our part-time employees:
• 403(b) retirement plan, with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment (12-month continuous period) in which you work a minimum of 1,000 hours;
• Disability benefits;
• Referral bonuses;
• Access to our Employee Discount Program, offering savings on travel, entertainment, retail, and more;
• High-performing part-time staff have the opportunity to apply for the DREAM Teaching Fellowship, through which they can earn a Bachelors or Masters degree and become full-time teachers at DREAM.
• Through our partnership with SUNY Empire State University, eligible Youth Workers can earn academic credit for completing DREAM’s paid Summer Extended Learning and Enrichment Institute, supporting faster degree completion.