Creative Writing Activity Specialist

Creative Writing Activity SpecialistJob DetailsJob LocationBeacon - New York, NY Salary Range$35.00 - $35.00 Hourly DescriptionOrganization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. Program Description: Goddard Riverside is working in collaboration with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development to alleviate the effects of poverty and provide opportunities by operating a Beacon Community Center on the Upper Westside. Beacon Community Centers are in public schools throughout New York City and serve youth from kindergarten through age 21 and adults ages 22 and older, including Older Adults. Beacons operate year-round on non-school hours, weekdays, evenings, weekends and in the summer as a resource to the entire community by offering integrated programming tailored to local needs. During the summer, Beacons collaborate with the New York City Public Schools for the Summer Rising initiative. Purpose of Position: The Creative Writing Activity Specialist helps children and youth learn to write short stories and plays with beginnings, middle and endings. Working with our partner, the award-winning Writopia Lab. Their mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for kids and teens at all stages of the writing process, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school. The activity specialist serves as a role model to young writers while cultivating their love for writing and confidence. The activity specialist provides support and concrete assistance (typing and editing) for children in the group. Training will be provided by Writopia and Goddard. Schedule:Varies, Monday to Friday 3:30 pm to 6:00pm. Workshops are 60-90 minute sessions. October 2024 through June 2024 Hourly Rate:$35.00 Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

Participate in training with Writopia and Goddard staff meetings (paid time).

Work with 3 consistent groups of children over a period of 36 weeks to develop their creative writing. projects. There will be two groups at the Beacon site and one at that Lincoln Square site weekly.

Implement the Writopia model with fidelity.

Create a safe and engaging space for writers at all stages of the writing process.

Provide creative inspiration, individual attention and an intellectual environment for children to challenge themselves.

Provide support and direction to children as they learn to write short stories and plays.

Provide concrete assistance in typing and editing.

Serve as a role model for respect and enthusiasm.

Foster a sense of community in each of the groups.

Participate and assist with the organization of special events relating to the project.

Develop and maintain positive collegial relationships with co-workers from both organizations.

Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

Love of writing.

High School diploma and some college credits.

Preferred is a major or credits in education and/or English.

Enthusiasm for working with children and youth.

Belief that all children can learn and that their voice matters.

Respect for the dignity of all people.

Previous work with children and youth highly desirable

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Ability to relate well to children and youth

Ability to promote positive behavior and group norms

Ability to write with fluency and to edit for grammatical correctness

Ability to type with reasonable speed and accuracy

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and/or Google Docs

Comfort with web-based applications and/or willingness to learn

Ability to communicate by email

Physical Requirements

Ability to climb stairs; frequent walking and bending.

Ability to type on a keyboard

Work Environment

Outdoors/Indoors

Community Center

Public School

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.