POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC·New York
The Group Leader facilitates diverse after-school activities including sports, arts, and life skills while fostering a safe and inclusive environment for youth. They are responsible for building positive relationships with students and caretakers, implementing curricula, and providing support for students with special needs.
We are looking for Part Time Group Leaders who will be responsible for facilitating and supporting a wide variety of afterschool activities including SEL, dance, sports, STEAM, life skills development, literacy, leadership, performing arts, visual arts, and college and career readiness. The Group Leader will report to the COMPASS or SONYC Director and be supported by the Content Specialist. What you’ll do: Major
Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Under the guidance of the Activity Specialist and/or Content Specialist, support the planning and implementation of all activities, including but not limited to specialized activities, homework help, field trips, mealtimes, and culminating performances. Implement PAL supplied curricula. Build positive relationships with youth, colleagues, and caretakers and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication, and behavior. Aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs thrive. Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member. Provide referrals to appropriate mental health services as needed. Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed. Interact with caretakers and keep open lines of communication. Attend and actively participate in all required training sessions, designated meetings, and special events. The Commitment Able to work 15 hours a week (3 hours a day, 5 days a week) Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming. Able to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year. QualificationsWhat You Bring: Minimum High School Diploma / GED. Associates degree preferred. You must be at least 18 years old. Minimum of two years' work experience in a non-profit agency working with youth. Strong Classroom management and behavior management skills. Open to learning and growing. All staff will be learning mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills and expected to integrate them into programming. Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.
The salary for this role is $19.00 an hour.
PAL offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance, flexible spending account options, an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, life insurance, retirement savings options, a generous paid time off policy, training and more! Location: Polo Grounds Cornerstone Start Date: September 7th, 2026 At the Police Athletic League, we seek people who are talented, creative and passionate to help create a more inclusive city and better futures for our youth. We’re devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too. The Police Athletic League is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected characteristic including, but not limited to, an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy Employment with PAL is contingent upon successful completion of all the Agency’s lawful pre-employment checks, which may include a background check.
Candidates must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED and at least two years of work experience in a non-profit agency working with youth. Strong classroom and behavior management skills are required, along with the ability to work 15 hours per week.
Market context
Group Leader roles in New York youth programs often draw steady interest because employers look for candidates who can support structured activities, manage behavior, and work well with school-age participants. This role is competitive if you already have nonprofit youth experience, a high school diploma or GED, and can commit to 15 hours per week. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to examples of classroom management and youth engagement.