Location and Job Title:

Group Leader & AWE Fellow
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood
54 Nagle Ave
New York, NY 10040

Principal Responsibilities:

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Emma Sprecher at esprecher@ywhi.org

About the Job

Be Me is the Y's in-house Jewish afterschool Program for Kinder to 5th-grade students. At Be Me, we are committed to instilling universal values such as enrichment, inclusion, and curiosity to learn new things. Our warm, welcoming culture creates a vibrant afterschool community, where we all look out for each other and take care of the world around us, especially for our children. Staff members are central to carrying out this vision by supporting, running, and sometimes even creating programs that are in line with our educational goals and values, and by providing positive and enthusiastic energy every day.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Angel Whispering Educators (AWE) Fellows are Group Leaders with a background in Jewish Experiential Educational or proven leadership roles within Jewish organizations such as Hillels, tasked with the additional responsibility of bringing to life the richness of Jewish values and content for participants of all backgrounds.

Supported by the Ys Center for Jewish Life team, AWE Fellows will provide our innovative Jewish afterschool program with an engaging values-based and Jewish-content-rich environment. They will also gain professional and leadership skills and be provided with multiple avenues for growth. The AWE Fellows will serve as group leaders, responsible for the overall safety and supervision of program participants, and their successful engagement in all aspects of the Be Me experience, including trips, programs, and aquatics (see below).

GROUP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership:

• Show commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Y and its mission.
• Embody and implement Be Mes core values.
• Communicate professionally, honestly and thoughtfully.
• Participate in staff meetings, program evaluations, continuous quality improvement initiatives, and professional development sessions throughout the school year.
• Foster a caring, safe, and positive environment for youth

Supervision and Support:

• Provide support to program participants: during homeroom when working on homework, throughout activities, and whenever necessary to create an inclusive environment.
• Establish and role model expectations for behavior and participation/engagement.
• Build relationships with youth that are positive and professional.
• Provide support to activity specialists by role modeling expectations of program participants, participating alongside program participants when appropriate, and providing active supervision throughout the duration of activities.
• Provide other program support as needed.

Daily Duties:

• Arrive in appropriate attire every day.
• Assist with program set-up and clean-up.
• May be asked to supervise program participants on buses during arrival and dismissal.
• Abide by and enforce the health and safety protocols as outlined in DOH regulations.
• Utilize ADP for time and attendance.

ADDITIONAL GOALS & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AWE-FELLOWS:

• Behavioral - For the fellows to impact the Jewish culture of Be Me through building traditions, storytelling, exemplary ruach (spirit), and by embodying Jewish values through personal example (dugmah ishit).
• Cognitive - For the fellows to take a leading role in teaching Jewish values and content at Be Me.
• Leadership - Participants will be asked to be "Nachshons" - people who have the courage and persistence to dive into new situations and pilot creative ideas without fearing failure.
• In coordination with the Ys Center for Jewish Life, AWE fellows will support Be Mes Program Director and Assistant Director in setting the vision and goals for relevant Jewish and values-based activities such as Be Mes weekly Shabbat, Jewish and national holidays/commemorations, Homeroom special activities, etc.
• Plan, participate in and take a leading role in all-staff pre-school year training.
• Participate in specific training for AWE Fellows.
• Lead training sessions for all Be Me staff.
• Participate in and support 4 large Y programs run by the Center for Jewish Life.

Minimum Qualifications:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in Jewish Experiential Education and/or proven leadership roles within Jewish organizations such as Hillel or college campus organizations;
• Previous experience working with children, preferably elementary-aged;
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to remain calm and maintain perspective under pressure;
• Commitment to work collaboratively with others;
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing needs;
• Must show enthusiasm for the role and desire to go the extra mile;
• Must be available 2 pm-6:00 pm Monday through Friday.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 upon commencement of employment.

Rate of Pay:
Hourly: $16 + $1,700 stipend per semester (possible total of $3,400)

Schedule:
Mon-Fri 2:00 PM - 6:15 PM + additional meetings and planning time related to the AWE Fellowship

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other functions and responsibilities may change or may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Salary:

Under $25,000

Agency Information:

Established in 1917 as one of the first Jewish community centers in New York City, the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood (the Y) is a thriving and visionary not-for-profit human services organization in Northern Manhattan. We welcome people of diverse ethnicities and all ages, from pre-school to older adults, into the Y family with a wide range of educational, recreational and social services and programs that focus on improving the quality of their lives. With a long and distinguished history, the Y is a multi-service community center that is well known for its nurturing environment and non-judgmental philosophy.