The Content Specialist plays a critical dual role in curriculum design and instructional leadership within our multisite COMPASS/SONYC Afterschool, Holiday Camp and Summer Camp programs. Operating in temporary housing/shelter settings across two locations in Queens (Elmhurst and Jamaica), the Content Specialist is primarily responsible for the program in the areas of curriculum design and implementation, staff development, incorporating FUSE values, and training. The Content Specialist supports the day-to-day operations of the program by working closely with the Program Director, engaging with participants and stakeholders, and ensuring all activities uphold safety standards and comply with funding guidelines. Together, our programs will serve a minimum of 70 youth.
This position requires an empathetic, highly organized, and adaptable leader dedicated to elevating program quality, stabilizing educational routines for vulnerable youth, and fostering a trauma-informed environment.
SCS is a multi-service settlement house located in Western Queens. Our Youth and Family Services departmentt (YFS) offers a full day Pre-Kindergarten, a variety of afterschool and community services for youth in grades K – 12, as well as high school and job and college readiness programming for high school youth.
Responsibilities
Content Selection, Design & Curricula Management
- Select, adapt, and manage comprehensive program content mapped directly to all mandated Required Content Areas under the COMPASS framework. Content areas include STEM, Literacy, Life Skills, Physical Enrichment/Health Living, Leadership, and College and Career Development. This includes meeting requirements like incorporating SEL curricula and utilizing DYCD’s Promote the Positive framework into required activities.
- Design robust, creative lesson plans and source formal curricula when existing materials require modification or development to meet group dynamics, including incorporating SCS’s shared values into daily lessons.
- Ensure all curricula and activities are culturally responsive, age-appropriate, engaging, and specifically structured to accommodate the unique socio-emotional needs of youth residing in a shelter setting.
- Collaborate with YFS leadership and other content specialists to ensure a consistent approach to curriculum, tools, practices, and events that incorporate FUSE values and other shared values.
- Collaborate with YFS leadership to develop outcome measurement tools and improve program performance.
Staff Supervision, Coaching & Professional Development
- Oversee, guide, and support the daily implementation of activities delivered by Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and Youth Workers.
- Conduct routine, structured field observations of program activities and staff to evaluate delivery efficacy, classroom management, and youth engagement.
- Provide effective supervision, constructive feedback, one-on-one coaching, and targeted technical training to program staff to elevate instructional quality and compliance.
- In the absence of the Program Director, serve as the primary contact for shelter staff and families as well as troubleshoot issues and maintain compliance with all regulations.
- Identify professional development gaps across the 6 to 8 instructional staff members and organize or facilitate training blocks aligned with standard youth development frameworks and SCS’s value statements.
- Coordinate with YFS leadership and other content specialists to develop and schedule program-wide/ YFS workshops and professional development
- Coordinate with vendors to ensure all staff receive a 1-hour mental health training per year and ensure staff are trained and aware of Crisis Navigation plans (last part is optional, see note below).
- The Content Specialist must complete a 1-hour self-paced training, provided by DYCD, through Changeuplearning.com on the following topics, strategies for accessibility and inclusion and universal design and complete a 2-hour training, provided by DYCD, on the following topics, mental health spectrum and mental health crises and the importance of implementing an organizational crisis navigation plan.
Multi-Site Operations & Camp Execution
- Maintain an active, visible pedagogical presence across both program sites in Elmhurst and Jamaica, Queens, dynamically splitting hours to satisfy program needs.
- Commit fully to the execution of 13 Holiday Camp days and the 7-week Summer Camp Programming blocks specifically held at the Belt campus, ensuring full operational coverage, field trip integration, and specialized summer curriculum management.
- Maintain structured programmatic data, observation logs, and staff development records across all sites to ensure audit readiness for up to 2 individual COMPASS/SONYC programs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
- Minimum of one year of formal experience in a supervisory or program oversight capacity. This must encompass direct staff supervision, training/coaching execution, and accountability for program content management/development. Familiarity with DYCD COMPASS/SONYC, SEL implementation, youth mental health referral processes, mandated reporting, disability inclusion, and trauma-informed youth development preferred.
- Native or professional bilingual fluency in Spanish is a requirement to interface effectively with youth and families in the shelter system.
- Setting Expertise: Proven experience working with vulnerable, high-risk, or transient populations (e.g., youth in temporary housing, foster care, or justice-involved settings) utilizing trauma-informed approaches is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated cultural competence concerning local communities.
- Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and Google Workspace
- Proficiency in the use of technology (i.e., laptops, computers, tablets).
- Mobility: Demonstrated ability and willingness to travel reliably and punctually between sites in Elmhurst and Jamaica, Queens.
Schedule & Operational Compliance
- In-Person Requirement: While Sunnyside Community Services does offer a hybrid schedule, this role is required to be in-person for all program days. Allowances for working from home can be made during school breaks, school holidays, and other non-program days at the discretion of the Senior Director.
- Holiday Camp and Summer Requirement: Mandatory full attendance and active program leadership during predetermined 13 holiday camps and the 7 weeks of summer camp operations.
- Role may shift based on programmatic needs or due to contractual changes; additional tasks may be assigned as needed.
Salary: $45,000 – $50,000 Annual Salary (commensurate with experience)
Classification: Exempt Overtime Eligible
Location: SCS Programs at Samaritan Village, Multi Site Supervision
Blvd, 79-00 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst NY 11373 and Belt, 153-90 Rockaway Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11434
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Holiday Camps and Summers at Belt location (35 working hours a week) *Schedule may vary at times and is at the discretion of the Senior Director**
Reports to: Director
SCS offers an Excellent Benefits Package:
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Flexible spending account and transit checks
- Employee Assistance Program
- Annually 26 PTO days of varying categories, 12 paid sick days, 10 paid holidays
- Life Insurance and long-term disability
How to Apply
If you would like to join our team, please forward a cover letter, and resume with subject line: “SV Content Specialist” to: Francis Sanchez, Senior Director, at Fsanchez@scsny.org.
All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy-related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre-employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). All are encouraged to apply.
Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore, and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs. We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.
Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well-being.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer