Program Director

About El Puente

Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered organization that uses the arts and education to advance social and environmental justice. Its mission is to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice, working as a human rights institution in NYC and Puerto Rico with national and international impact. El Puente creates community-led movements of self-determination through a holistic leadership and membership program model, as a high-impact youth and community development organization. As a staff member of El Puente, the Assistant Program Director is expected to uphold and work within the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization. El Puente integrates its activities and community campaigns within its six Youth Leadership Centers and its nationally recognized public high school, the El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. Organizing in North Brooklyn, Puerto Rico, and beyond, El Puente is at the forefront of community & youth development, and as such, initiates social policy locally and nationally.

As a member of the El Puente staff, the Program Director is expected to embody and uphold the mission, philosophy, and principles of the organization.

Position Overview

The Bushwick Leadership Center Program Director oversees daily community center operations, staff supervision, and safety procedures while leading the development and implementation of year-round youth and community programming aligned with El Puente's mission.

Administration and Operations

Supervise the management of Administrator-On-Duty (AOD) responsibilities, including oversight of day-to-day program operations, communications and safety practices, building operations, and opening/closing procedures.

Lead and/or attend all required staff and team meetings, trainings, and organizational events.

Program Development and Leadership

Develop and implement year-round community center programming—including afterschool, summer programming, partner/co-locator activities, and teen/adult programs—that reflect El Puente's Mission and 12 Principles, meet contractual objectives, and are structured, age-appropriate, and project-based.

Create and supervise curricula for activities, workshops, and community service projects grounded in El Puente's youth mentoring and leadership development model, including health and wellness, academic enrichment, arts engagement, and social justice.

Develop action plans with members that include academic and personal goals, along with measurable objectives for achieving them.

Build rapport with parents/guardians, conduct wellness check-ins, and include them in the action-planning process for their child.

Oversee potential interns and identify opportunities to bring interns into programming.

Oversee SYEP programming, development, and recruitment.

Develop, schedule, and/or facilitate professional development activities for staff.

Design and oversee classes for large and small groups in areas such as arts, academic enrichment, mentoring, and membership.

Lead outdoor field trips, including managing all necessary paperwork (bookings, transportation, directions) and ensuring appropriate staff-to-student ratios.

Ensure all program documentation is current, including attendance, curriculum documentation, mentorship records, member files, etc.

Ensure all program-related flyers are current and distributed throughout the network.

Host sacred circles—virtually and in-person—with youth and staff, and coordinate planning with facilitators.

Collaborate across sites to meet Youth Leadership Development goals in coordination with the El Puente Youth Leadership Organizer.

Facilitate outreach to students and families and coordinate afterschool support and referrals, with a specific focus on mental health and social-emotional wellness.

Recruitment and External Relations

Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for participant recruitment and outreach, including partnership development with local school principals and staff, street outreach, and broader community engagement.

Develop and maintain partnerships with local community, civic, and cultural organizations that can provide resources or support for programming.

Strengthen parent involvement and engagement.

Develop new strategies for alumni engagement, including events and programming opportunities.

Secondary Job Functions

Maintain a clean and sanitized workspace, including ordering cleaning materials, resetting spaces after events, and upholding safety protocols.

Perform light labor tasks, such as picking up boxes and setting up program spaces (moving tables and chairs).

Interact regularly with: Executive Team, Directors and Coordinators, Line Staff, Senior Management, and Funders.

Experience working in community-based organizations.

Ideally, experience or knowledge in community organizing, leadership development, support services, and holistic youth/community development.

Knowledge of and experience with community-based services and connecting individuals/families to support.

Ability to work effectively with adolescents, families, and communities from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Strong commitment to El Puente's Mission.

Knowledge of the Bushwick community; experience mobilizing Bushwick families is a plus.

Proven administrative experience.

Knowledge of office management systems and procedures.

Excellent time-management skills; ability to multitask and prioritize.

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Strong organizational and planning abilities.

Schedule

Full-time position, based in Brooklyn.

Typical hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (with occasional evenings/weekends as needed).

Salary & Benefits

$60,000 annual salary

Health insurance + retirement plan (employer match up to 2%)

Unlimited Paid Time Off (UPTO)

Paid holiday recess (December 24 – January 1)

Wellness Week (last week of August, full pay)

11 paid holidays

Commitment to Equity

El Puente is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a staff that reflects the communities we serve and strongly encourage applications from women, people