Group Leader, Education (54373)

ESSE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Group Leader serves as a facilitator and mentor within RiseBoro's school-based and community youth programs. Group Leaders create safe, engaging, and inclusive environments where young people can learn, build relationships, discover new interests, and develop the skills and confidence to thrive. Through the implementation of high-quality enrichment experiences, positive youth development practices, and consistent supervision, Group Leaders foster participants' academic, social-emotional, and leadership growth while helping create the sense of belonging, joy, and possibility that keeps young people connected to their program community. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people while growing as an educator, mentor, and leader. Specific duties and responsibilities include:
Participants Supervision & Safety
•    Maintain active supervision and shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of all participants across program spaces, transitions, and off-site experiences.
•    Lead and supports arrival, dismissal, and transition procedures to ensure safe, organized, and positive experiences for participants and families.
•    Anticipate and addresses safety concerns proactively and exercises sound judgment when responding to incidents and emergencies.
•    Uphold and reinforces program expectations and contributes to a culture of accountability, belonging, and mutual respect.

Program Facilitation & Learning Experiences
•    Design and facilitate engaging enrichment experiences that support participants' academic, social-emotional, creative, leadership, and recreational development.
•    Develop daily lesson plans and learning experiences using provided curricula while adapting activities to participant interests, strengths, and developmental needs.
•    Collaborate with leadership, Education Specialist, activity specialists, and program staff to strengthen the quality and impact of participant experiences.
•    Facilitate academic enrichment and skill-building opportunities, including homework support where applicable.

Youth Development and Mentorship
•    Apply positive youth development and behavior management practices that foster social-emotional growth, responsibility, and belonging.
•    Build authentic, strengths-based relationships with participants across the program and serves as a consistent, trusted adult presence and positive role model.
•    Create opportunities for youth voice, choice, leadership, and meaningful participation.
•    Recognize when participants may require additional support and collaborates with colleagues and leadership to respond proactively.
•    Cultivate inclusive environments where every participant feels respected, valued, connected, and capable of success.

Professional Growth & Team Contribution 
•     Participate in meetings and workshops that enhance professional skills, as assigned by Program Director and Education Specialist, including required hours of training per year; completion of one-hour training requirements covering mental health awareness, engagement and de-escalation, crisis response protocols and mental health resources
•    Demonstrate openness to feedback, reflection, and coaching to strengthen professional practice and participant experiences.
•    Contribute positively to team culture through collaboration, shared learning, and collective problem-solving.
•    Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement in service of participants, families, and the broader program community.

Professional Responsibility, Documentation & Program Operations
•    Adhere to site-specific memoranda and program staff manual which includes staff and program specific requirements as prescribed by the NYS Child School Aged Child Care (SACC) Programs regulation in a proactive manner, making the provision of quality services and the safety and care of all children the primary focus;  
•    Demonstrate professionalism through consistent attendance, punctuality, preparedness, and follow-through, recognizing that each team member's reliability contributes to safe staffing, high-quality experiences, and regulatory compliance.
•    Adhere to agency policies, program procedures, reporting protocols, and applicable regulatory requirements while exercising sound judgment and promptly escalating concerns that impact participant well-being, program quality, or organizational integrity.
•    Maintain accurate attendance records, activity documentation, incident reports, and other required program records in accordance with agency, funder, and site expectations.
•    Communicate operational needs, compliance concerns, and administrative gaps to program leadership in a timely manner.
COMPETENCIES
•    Must be 18 years of age or older and possess a minimum of two years of direct experience working with children under the age of 13, including at least one year of experience in an educational, recreational, or youth development setting.
•    Must have the necessary content knowledge, experience, and skills to effectively implement the program activities
•    Positive Youth Development & Relationship Building 
•    Communication, Collaboration & Problem Solving 
•    Professionalism, Adaptability & Sound Judgment
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
•    High school/HSE diploma required;
•    Preference given to those working toward a college degree.

Qualifications

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of RiseBoro to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. No individual will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, political or union affiliation, marital or partnership status, sex, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity, familial status, genetic information or predisposition or characteristic, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a veteran or member of the U.S. military and related obligations, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job placement, compensation, benefits, training and apprenticeship, employee development, promotion, demotion, discipline, transfer, lay-off and recall, and termination. RiseBoro makes reasonable accommodations based on religion and/or disability as required by law, and requests for accommodation are to be directed to the Human Resources Department.