Content Specialist (Multiple Positions)

Job Title: Content Specialist Job Classification: Full-Time Reports to: Senior Content Specialist Location: New York City Job Type: Hybrid – 3 days onsite at program sites / 2 days remote Work Schedule: Monday–Friday (Generally 10am-6pm) Weekly Hours/Week: 35 FLSA Status: Exempt Salary : $64,500 (non-negotiable) Why You’ll Love Working at LEAP At LEAP, we don’t just build great programs, we build a great place to work. You’ll thrive here if you’re excited to be part of a mission-driven, people-centered, and joy-filled team. We are: 🌱 Community-oriented, believing in a shared moral responsibility 🎨 Creative, flexible, and open-minded 🚀 Collaborative and mission driven ✅ Accountable to ourselves, each other, and our goals 🌟 Committed to feedback and clear, consistent communication 🌍 Champions of a compassionate and inclusive culture 💖 Supporters of self-care and the well-being of others 🎉 And above all… FUN! At LEAP, you’ll be empowered to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact, all while being part of a community that values who you are and what you bring. About the Role As a member of the LEAP Content Specialist team, you'll be a key driver of instructional excellence across a portfolio of 3-4 externally funded LEAP afterschool programs. You will partner directly with site leadership and youth-facing part-time staff to strengthen instruction, deepen engagement and create a culturally responsive learning environment while elevating student-centered outcomes. You'll also shape how we train and support educators internally, helping to build a learning culture rooted in coaching, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This is more than a compliance role — it’s a strategic opportunity to raise the bar on program quality and impact for the communities we serve. What You’ll Do Coaching & Support Conduct regular program visits to observe programming Provide actionable feedback to youth-facing staff (Group Leaders, Activity Specialists, and Teaching Artists) through coaching, mentoring, and micro-training Model best practices in instructional facilitation, classroom management, and youth development. Curriculum & Lesson Design Review and strengthen lesson and project plans to ensure alignment with LEAP frameworks DYCD quality indicators and age-appropriate engagement strategies. Support staff to design creative, project-based learning experiences that center and make space for youth to drive and lead their own learning Professional Development Deliver pre-built training workshops, also known as learning labs, for part-time and full-time staff that build and foster instructional skills, cultural responsiveness, & youth-driven learning Research and uncover growing trends, best practices and key strategies in positive youth development, arts education, and 21st century teaching and learning Design and create engaging learning labs that encompass LEAP pedagogies as well as best practices in positive youth development Collaborate with the Content Specialist team to create multi-day training events for all afterschool part-time staff Collect and generate guiding resources that support self-paced development of part-time staff Quality Improvement & Excellence Collaborate with the Content Specialist Team to co-create and implement tools and systems that use and aggregate data to measure and drive instructional excellence and program quality Monitor and maintain a Google Classroom Staff Impact Hub for each program in your portfolio as an additional support mechanism for the growth and development of staff Partnership & Capacity-Building Partner with Portfolio Managers and Program Directors to develop the instructional leadership of their teams, ensuring each site is prepared to deliver high-quality enrichment activities and culminating events. What You’ll Bring We’re looking for a learning specialist and thought leader who is dedicated to continuous improvement and energized by building the capacity of others. This person believes deeply in educational equity, culturally responsive practice, and the transformative power of the arts.. Core Competencies & Strengths: Instructional Expertise : Deep knowledge of lesson planning, facilitation, and youth engagement rooted in K-8 education/arts education, after-school programming, and/or positive youth development Coaching & Adult Learning: Demonstrated success coaching and training adults, providing actionable feedback, and/or facilitating professional development. Relationship Building : Ability to connect, influence, and collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders. Equity & Inclusion Mindset : Commitment to inclusive, culturally relevant, and strengths-based practices in education and youth development. Systems Thinking: Organized, proactive, and able to balance short-term needs with long-term program goals. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred) At least 3 years of experience in formal or informal K–12 education, youth development, or after-school program leadership. Familiarity with NYC DOE or DYCD programmatic standards is a strong plus PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING Pre-employment screening is required for this position, including but not limited to criminal history checks by regulating agencies as needed per placement. WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Please note: In accordance with organizational policy, LEAP does not sponsor individuals on O-1 visas.