OBJECTIVES: Reporting to the Content Specialist and Program Director, the Activity Specialist: Physical Activity & Wellness will lead structured physical activity, movement, and healthy living programming for elementary-aged students in Northside Center’s COMPASS Afterschool and Summer Program.

The Activity Specialist is responsible for planning and facilitating inclusive, engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that promote fitness, motor skill development, teamwork, emotional regulation, healthy habits, and positive social interaction. This role supports a safe, joyful, and supportive environment where all students — including students with disabilities, diverse learning needs, and varying athletic abilities — can participate, build confidence, and develop lifelong wellness skills.

The Activity Specialist will implement daily movement programming, wellness/reset activities, and weekly healthy living education in alignment with DYCD COMPASS program expectations and Northside’s commitment to whole-child development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Lead 220 minutes of weekly physical activity programming, approximately 40 minutes daily, for students in grades K–5.
2. Implement structured physical activity blocks that may include basketball skills, relay races, cardio challenges, obstacle courses, dance/movement, cooperative games, team-building activities, and non-competitive movement games.
3. Support the program’s split-gym model, alternating between age groups such as Group A/K–2 and Group B/Grades 3–5, to maintain appropriate supervision, ratios, safety, and age-appropriate participation.
4. Lead Wellness & Reset activities, including stretching, breathing exercises, body awareness, guided relaxation, mindfulness, and reflection on how movement supports emotional regulation.
5. Facilitate weekly “Fuel Check” healthy living discussions, covering topics such as nutrition, hydration, sleep and rest, body awareness, injury prevention, healthy snacks, cultural foods, and how physical activity can help manage stress, frustration, and anger.
6. Adapt activities to ensure inclusive participation for students with diverse physical, developmental, social-emotional, and learning needs.
7. Coordinate with the Program Director, Content Specialist, Group Leaders, and Paraprofessionals to support students who require accommodation or additional assistance during physical activity.
8. Teach and model sportsmanship, teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, safe competition, and positive peer interaction during physical activity blocks.
9. Promote a program culture where students feel successful and included regardless of athletic ability, confidence level, disability, or prior experience with sports or movement.
10. Conduct basic safety checks of the gym, materials, and equipment before and during activities.
11. Ensure safe use, storage, and maintenance of physical activity equipment and immediately report any hazards, injuries, or concerns to program leadership.
12. Coordinate outdoor physical activity when weather and staffing permit.
13. Track student participation, engagement, and motor skill development, and share relevant observations with program leadership.
14. Support daily transitions, student supervision, behavior guidance, and program routines as needed.
15. Reinforce Northside’s trauma-informed, restorative, and culturally responsive approach to youth development.
16. Model healthy habits, enthusiasm for movement, and a positive attitude toward physical activity and wellness.
17. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, coaching, and program planning as required.
18. Follow all Northside Center, DYCD, SACC, health/safety, mandated reporting, and program documentation requirements.

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Strong ability to lead physical activity programming for elementary-aged children.
• Knowledge of age-appropriate physical development, motor skills, fitness, and movement activities for students in grades K–5.

• Ability to create inclusive physical activities that accommodate different abilities, confidence levels, and support needs.
• Understanding wellness, nutrition, hydration, sleep, body awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy living concepts for school-age learners.
• Strong group management, behavior guidance, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, cooperation, and positive peer relationships.
• Ability to adapt activities quickly based on space, weather, student needs, staffing, and safety considerations.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with students, families, staff, and program leadership.
• Ability to maintain accurate participation notes, communicate concerns, and follow safety procedures.
• Culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach to youth development.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Commitment to working in a mission-driven organization.
• Excellent work ethic and reliability.
• Strong personal and professional ethics.
• Positive, energetic, and student-centered approach.
• Cross-team collaboration and cooperation.
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of children, families, and staff.
• Flexibility, patience, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and joyful program experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to working in a mission-driven organization.
• Excellent work ethic and reliability.
• Strong personal and professional ethics.
• Positive, energetic, and student-centered approach.
• Cross-team collaboration and cooperation.
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of children, families, and staff.
• Flexibility, patience, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and joyful program experiences.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary commensurate with experience. Northside offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Hourly Range: $22–$25 per hour

ABOUT NORTHSIDE

Northside Center for Child Development serves more than 5,500 children and families across New York City each year through high-quality, outcome-driven behavioral health, early childhood education, and enrichment services. With over $34 million in annual funding, Northside provides the comprehensive support children and families need to overcome adversity, build resilience, and pursue their dreams.

Founded in 1946 in Harlem, Northside has been a cornerstone of the community for eight decades, leading the way in integrating education and mental health to support children’s development. Several of Northside’s innovative programs were the first of their kind in Harlem, setting standards of care that continue to influence social service agencies throughout the United States today.

Northside’s founders, Drs. Kenneth B. and Mamie Phipps Clark, were renowned, pioneering psychologists whose groundbreaking research was instrumental in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education landmark Supreme Court decision that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Their belief in the worth, dignity, and potential of every child continues to guide Northside’s mission and inspire its work today. Northside is driven by its vision and principle, “Each Child…First Chance.”

For more information on Northside Center for Child Development, please visit www.northsidecenter.org.