Summer Rising Activity Specialist

Reports To: Senior Program Director and/or Program Director

Program: Summer Rising

Location: MS594X - New Pathways Academy

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Status: Part-Time. Eligible for NY Safe and Sick Leave

Schedule: Monday-Thursday; 2:30pm-6:00pm (See below)

Pay Rate: $25/HR

WHAT WE DO

We believe in the Power of Art. LEAP partners with school communities to offer creative arts programs that encourage New York City youth to pursue their passions, develop their strengths, and amplify their voices.

At LEAP, we're building the next generation of life long learners and innovative problem-solvers. Supported by adults who they trust and opportunities to express themselves, youth will grow to become confident and successful leaders. The LEAP instructional model, The LEAP way, is focused on high-quality educational arts programs with intentional strategies to foster this change.

SUMMER RISING PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Activity Specialists will participate in the following Summer Rising program schedule:

Staff Training Week: Monday, June 23, 2025 - Friday, June 27, 2025; 2:00pm-6:00pm
Program: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - Friday, August 8, 2025
- Mondays - Thursdays; 2:30pm-6:00pm (afternoon)

JOB PURPOSE

Activity Specialists are passionate, experienced instructors with a vested interest in arts and academic integration, who share our belief in the power of experiential learning. Activity Specialists act as the lead instructors in LEAP Summer Rising programs.

Specialty Area(s): Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Chess, Culinary Arts, Fashion/Sewing, STEM, Performing Arts, News Media Arts, Athletics, etc.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Lead hands-on educational enrichment, sports, and arts activities for groups of 10-30 Middle school students using project-based learning strategies
Create experiences that drive student growth in creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking
Model a growth mindset and love of learning, and support learners to make meaning of their experiences through routine thoughtful reflection
Develop lesson plans for all activities in a time and frequency prescribed by the Program Director
Engage in conflict resolution and positive behavior management practices with students and staff as needed
Ensure the children’s safety and during program hours in a manner prescribed by the program’s safety procedures
Collaborate with Group Leaders to ensure they manage youth safety and support the planned activities
Participate, respond to, center, and celebrate the culture of the communities that we serve.
Plan and execute youth culminating performances and events
Work closely with the program leadership to gather student data, attendance, assessment, and teaching documentation.
Communicate with professionalism and respect.
Participate in staff trainings and activities, including regular check-ins with supervisors
Any other assignments given by Program Director and/or Management staff

The successful candidate will have the following Qualifications:

2 years of experience working with youth in a classroom or group setting
- must have demonstrated previous experience in their trained specialty, ideally in NYC public school settings.
Demonstrated excellence in their specialized instruction
Experience successfully instructing youth in the arts
College degree in the Arts or Education, or equivalent experience
Familiarity working with Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners
Passion for inclusion and advocacy in the arts
Enjoy working with youth in a team environment
Effective writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Must be punctual, responsible, resilient, and reliable
Self-motivated, highly efficient, and able to problem-solve
Proactive, hands-on approach, as well as a professional work ethic
Flexible schedule and willingness to travel to multiple boroughs
Able to pass all NYS SACC clearances and background checks inclusive of a work physical and TB

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Pre-employment screening is required for this position, including but not limited to a criminal history check by the NYC Department of Education, and other regulating agencies as needed per placement.

WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LEAP provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability status, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, protected veteran status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please note: In accordance with organizational policy, LEAP does not sponsor individuals on O-1 visas.

Apply for this job

First name

Last name

Email address

Location

Phone number

Resume

Attach resume

Attach another file

Attach file

Attach your Cover Letter - or:

Attach Cover Letter

Cut and Paste your Cover Letter below:

Are you willing to relocate?

Are you authorized to work in the United States?

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B status)?

What is your earliest start date?

Are you 18 years of age or older?

Are you willing to work evenings?

Are you willing to work weekends?

What languages do you speak?

Do you have any professional qualifications (PMP, MCSE)?

What is the highest level of education you’ve obtained?

What art form/medium do you specialize in?

How many years do you have teaching that art form/medium to youth?

Have you ever worked for LEAP before (Yes/No)? If yes, then please explain.

Were you referred to this position by anyone who currently works at LEAP (Yes/No)? If yes, then please explain.

We invite you to complete the optional self-identification questions below used for compliance with government regulations and record-keeping guidelines. Any self-identification information provided will not be considered in the selection process.

GENDER

VETERAN STATUS Learn more about veteran statuses

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by selecting the appropriate category(ies). The hiring employer is subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002, 38 U.S.C. 4212 (VEVRAA) and requests this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts it undertakes pursuant to VEVRAA.

DISABILITY STATUS Learn more about disability statuses

We are required by law to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We are also required to measure our progress toward having at least 7% of our workforce be individuals with disabilities. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had a disability. Because a person may become disabled at any time, we ask all of our employees to update their information at least every five years.

Identifying yourself as an individual with a disability is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer will be maintained confidentially and not be seen by selecting officials or anyone else involved in making personnel decisions. Completing the form will not negatively impact you in any way, regardless of whether you have self-identified in the past. For more information about this form or the equal employment obligations of federal contractors under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.