Education Specialist

OUR MISSION: Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future. OUR VISION: We envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success. PROGRAM DESIGN: RTS facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school, summer camps, retreats, conferences and summer employment opportunities reaching thousands of young people throughout NYC each year. RTS emphasizes the youth development practice of the Circle of Courage in all our programs; creating an environment of Belonging, where young people can build their Independence, find and develop their Mastery skill, and practice Generosity in their communities. At the core of our programs are staff training strategies that enable our young professionals to develop extraordinarily meaningful relationships with the young people in their care who we call Our Future Leaders because that is what they all are.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Education Specialist ensures that RTS youth development principles are reflected in the learning environment and programming. This role supports high-quality instruction across multiple sites by guiding curriculum alignment, modeling best practices, supporting lesson planning and classroom management, and fostering stronger connections between afterschool programming and the school day. The Education Specialist reports directly to the Program Director and works closely with Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, Master Education Specialist, and the leadership team to continuously improve the educational quality of program delivery.

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE:

• Reports To: Program Director

Supervises: Academic Components and Educational Quality of Afterschool Programming

• Schedule: Part-Time, 27.5 hours/week

Hours: Monday–Friday, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM across 3–4 program sites Compensation: $30 – $32 per hour (based on experience and credentials)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Leadership and Program Alignment

• Ensure all structured activities are enriching, developmentally appropriate, and connected to school-day learning experiences.
• Review and refine lesson plans weekly to ensure clear objectives, youth engagement strategies, and skill-building outcomes.

Observe classroom activities and coach instructional staff through modeling, feedback, and planning support. Foster alignment between afterschool programming and school-day expectations through regular communication with school staff and administrators.

• Collaborate with the Master Education Specialist to implement instructional priorities and curriculum design across sites.

Staff Support and Professional Development

• Facilitate at least six hours of on-site professional development annually based on staff needs and program goals.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to identify and onboard instructional staff with strong educational skills.
• Maintain observation logs and provide regular coaching sessions and real-time feedback to frontline staff.
• Support staff in effective lesson delivery, classroom setup, and behavior management strategies.

Curriculum Development and Enrichment

• Collaborate with the Master Education Specialist to create and revise curriculum across subject areas including literacy, arts, STEM, SEL, and enrichment.
• Participate in ongoing curriculum planning sessions led by the Master Education Specialist to ensure instructional consistency and innovation.
• Design and adapt academic enrichment curricula that are engaging, culturally responsive, and aligned with youth interests and developmental needs.
• Create and distribute planning tools and curriculum binders that support consistency and quality across all sites.
• Provide differentiated instructional support for youth with learning or behavioral needs.

Data and Continuous Quality Improvement

• Document student growth through informal assessments, pre/post surveys, work samples, and project reflections.

Submit end-of-cycle summaries on instructional quality and student achievement to Program Directors and the Master Education Specialist. Use data and coaching insights to inform program adjustments and staff training focus areas.

• Ensure instructional activities meet compliance expectations from DYCD, OCFS, and DOE.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Child Development, or a related field required; Master’s Degree or NYS Teacher Certification preferred. Minimum three years of classroom experience, ideally in K–8 urban school settings.

Experience designing and delivering engaging educational activities in formal or informal learning settings.:

Experience developing staff capacity through coaching, training, or professional development.:

Excellent communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills. Familiarity with DYCD systems and expectations a plus. Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and online tools such as Zoom or Google Classroom.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position is based in New York City and requires travel to multiple program sites. Must be comfortable working in DOE school buildings and community-based locations. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or training. Must be able to navigate stairs and carry materials up to 25 pounds when needed.

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COMPETENCIES:

Instructional Coaching: Supports and strengthens staff through mentorship, modeling, and structured feedback. Curriculum Planning: Collaborates with education team to co-create engaging, developmentally aligned curriculum. Collaboration: Builds strong relationships with school and community partners.

Cultural Responsiveness: Fosters inclusive environments where all identities and learning styles are honored. Adaptability: Navigates dynamic environments and multi-site operations with efficiency and care.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success in serving youth.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization.

The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.