Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc.Position: After-School Counselor
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Employment Type: Part-Time
Location: Elmont, NY 11003
Job Summary
Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. is seeking a passionate and energetic After-School Counselor to join our youth development team. The primary mission of this role is to provide a safe, structured, and enriching environment for children during out-of-school hours while adhering to New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licensing standards, health and safety regulations, supervision requirements, and staff-to-child ratio guidelines.
As an After-School Counselor, you will create a welcoming environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. You will support students' academic, social, emotional, and recreational development by leading engaging activities, assisting with homework, and building positive relationships with children, families, and staff.
This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about youth development and committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children.
Schedule
- Part-time
- Monday–Friday
- Approximately 15–18 hours per week, depending on program needs
- Typical hours: 2:30 PM–6:00 PM
- Hours may vary based on school schedules, enrollment, staffing, special events, and program operations.
- Additional hours may be available during school holidays, half-days, staff training days, and summer programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain continuous visual supervision and accurate headcounts of all assigned children at all times, including indoors, outdoors, and during transitions.
- Provide daily homework assistance by guiding students through assignments and encouraging positive study habits.
- Plan and lead age-appropriate recreational activities, including sports, team-building games, arts and crafts, STEM activities, and enrichment programs.
- Use positive behavior management techniques to help children resolve conflicts, develop social-emotional skills, and meet program expectations.
- Assist the Site Director with maintaining all required OCFS documentation, including attendance records and arrival, transition, and dismissal logs.
- Ensure children are released only to authorized parents, guardians, or approved emergency contacts.
- Assist with the safe distribution of daily snacks while following food safety and allergy protocols.
- Administer First Aid and respond appropriately to emergencies in accordance with program policies and training.
- Conduct daily wellness checks and promptly report any signs of illness, injury, or suspected abuse or neglect to the Site Director in accordance with mandated reporter requirements.
- Understand and follow all emergency procedures, including fire drills, shelter-in-place protocols, evacuations, and medical emergencies.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding student records, family information, and program documentation.
- Promote an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all children and families.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Site Director.
Qualifications
- Previous experience working with children in an after-school program, daycare, camp, tutoring program, school, or similar youth setting.
- Knowledge of child development principles and best practices in youth programming.
- Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification, or the ability to obtain certification upon hire.
- Strong classroom management and behavior management skills.
- Experience leading youth activities, sports, recreation, or enrichment programs is highly preferred.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors throughout the year.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience working with children with diverse learning or developmental needs is a plus.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to actively participate in sports, recreation, and outdoor activities.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift program materials throughout the workday.
- Ability to transition between active recreation areas and quiet homework or classroom settings.
- Ability to respond quickly and appropriately during emergencies.
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- College coursework or a degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Recreation, or a related field is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with school-age children (Grades K–8) in a group setting, such as an after-school program, childcare center, camp, tutoring program, or similar environment.
- Must be at least 18 years of age, as required by New York State OCFS School-Age Child Care regulations.
Employment Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background clearances, including fingerprinting, reference checks, and any additional screenings required by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Why Join Gateway Youth Outreach?
At Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc., we believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and engaging place to learn and grow beyond the school day. Our team is committed to providing high-quality youth programming that builds confidence, promotes learning, and strengthens our community.
We invest in our staff through ongoing professional development, collaborative teamwork, and opportunities to grow within our organization. If you are passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of children, we encourage you to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment, consistent with applicable law.
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
