Activity Specialist

Position: Activity Specialist

Location: Williamsburg Brooklyn

Compensation: $20/hr

About El Puente

Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered organization that uses the arts and education to advance social and environmental justice. Its mission is to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice, working as a human rights institution in NYC and Puerto Rico with national and international impact. El Puente creates community-led movements of self-determination through a holistic leadership and membership program model as a high-impact youth and community development organization.

El Puente integrates its activities and community campaigns within its six Youth Leadership Centers and its nationally recognized public high school, the El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. Organizing in North Brooklyn, Puerto Rico, and beyond, El Puente remains at the forefront of community and youth development, influencing social policy locally and nationally.

As a staff member of El Puente, the Activity Specialist is expected to uphold and work within the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization.

Position Overview:

El Puente is seeking a creative, engaging, and community-minded Activity Specialist to join our afterschool team. This role is ideal for someone who believes in the power of the arts, service learning, and youth voice as tools for leadership and growth.

Activity Specialists design and facilitate interactive, project-based workshops that inspire self-expression, build confidence, and connect young people to social justice issues and community engagement. Whether through theater, chorus, dance, art, music, or service-based projects, this role brings energy, structure, and creativity to youth programming.

The Activity Specialist fosters a space that balances fun and accountability, serving as a positive role model while maintaining professionalism and appropriate boundaries.

What You’ll Do:

• Design and facilitate engaging, standards-aligned workshops in areas such as arts, performance, service learning, and creative expression
• Create interactive lessons that promote self-esteem, decision-making, conflict resolution, goal-setting, health, and wellness
• Organize service-learning projects, community partnerships, and educational trips that deepen youth connection to their neighborhoods
• Support recruitment and retention efforts to maintain strong program participation
• Collaborate closely with fellow Activity Specialists and site leadership to build a cohesive, vibrant program culture
• Submit structured lesson plans to the Program Director each semester
• Provide academic support, including homework help and tutoring when needed
• Serve as a chaperone for field trips and special events
• Contribute to quarterly events and community-building experiences
• Maintain flexibility, professionalism, and enthusiasm in a dynamic afterschool setting

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to successfully complete a background check and fingerprinting in accordance with DYCD or other relevant agency requirements
• At least 2 years of youth development experience, particularly with middle and high school youth in afterschool settings
• Experience facilitating structured, activity-based workshops independently
• Strong classroom/group management skills and the ability to engage youth in high-energy environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• A passion for integrating social justice conversations into youth programming
• Collaborative spirit, patience, and strong conflict-resolution abilities
• Reliability, positivity, adaptability, and attention to detail

Schedule:

This is a part-time position based in Brooklyn, NY. Generally Monday through Friday, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, with occasional adjustments based on program needs.

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El Puente is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a staff that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, DREAMers, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities.

If you are looking to contribute to meaningful youth work in a supportive, justice-centered environment, we encourage you to apply.