POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC·New York
The Activity Specialist provides high-quality academic tutoring and enrichment to high school students in core subjects and college readiness. They also foster a safe, inclusive environment while supporting students' social, emotional, and mental well-being.
We are looking for part-time Academic Activity Specialists who are responsible for providing high-quality academic support and enrichment opportunities that help high school youth strengthen foundational skills, improve academic confidence, and achieve their educational goals. Specialists provide individualized and small-group tutoring in core math and ELA subjects and support students with college readiness preparation, including SAT and ACT test preparation. The Youthlink Activity Specialist will report to the Teen Supervisor and be supported by the Youthlink Director. What you’ll do: Major
Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Provide individualized and small-group academic tutoring support in core subject areas, including English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and other areas based on student needs and program priorities. Facilitate college readiness activities, including SAT and ACT preparation, study skills development, test-taking strategies, and academic goal-setting to support students’ post-secondary aspirations. Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs to 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. Work cooperatively with Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and other Program and school staff. Build positive relationships with youth and caretakers and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication, and behavior. Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed. Interact with caretakers and keep open lines of communication. The Commitment Able to work (varies by site) Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training. Able to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year. QualificationsWhat you bring: Bachelor's degree in Education or a related academic field required; New York State teacher certification or eligibility for certification strongly preferred. Minimum of two years of classroom teaching or academic tutoring experience with high school-aged youth in a school or educational setting. Demonstrated knowledge of New York State Learning Standards and high school curriculum, with the ability to provide instruction in one or more core academic subjects, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Experience preparing students for standardized assessments, including the SAT and ACT, with the ability to teach test-taking strategies, critical thinking, and study skills. Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred. 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.
The range for this role is $52.00 an hour where the finalist falls in this range will be commensurate with skills and experience.
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: Edward Byrne Center - Queens, NY 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 hold a Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field and have at least two years of classroom or tutoring experience with high school youth. New York State teacher certification is strongly preferred, along with the ability to teach core academic subjects and standardized test strategies.
Market context
In New York, academic youth support roles are often in demand because schools and community programs need staff who can help high school students with core subjects and test preparation. This role is competitive because it asks for a bachelor’s degree, two years of classroom or tutoring experience, and preferably New York State teacher certification. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show subject coverage, tutoring outcomes, and experience with high school learners.