K-5 Program Lead
Position Overview:
Full-Time | 30 Hours per Week | Year-Round Pay: $22-$24/hour, based on experience
Reporting to: K-5 Director
Schedule:
Monday-Friday
12:00 PM-6:00 PM
30 hours per week during the school year
Additional hours available during school breaks and summer programming
Location: On-site in Burlington, VT, with occasional off-site programming and field trips.
King Street Center where kids & opportunity meet. King Street Center empowers youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity.
Located in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, King Street Center serves youth and families experiencing economic insecurity and systemic marginalization, with a focus on families from global majority communities in Burlington through afterschool programs, mentoring, early childhood education, and enrichment opportunities, we empower youth to explore their talents, develop confidence, and create bright futures.
If you're passionate about education, youth development, social justice, and creating spaces where children can feel safe, supported, and inspired, we'd love to meet you.
About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and relationship-driven K-5 Lead to oversee one of our elementary afterschool programs serving youth in grades 2-3 or grades 4-5.
As a Lead, you'll help shape meaningful learning experiences, mentor young people, support social-emotional development, collaborate with families, and oversee other staff as necessary in creating an engaging, inclusive afterschool environment.
You will work closely with the K-5 Director to develop and deliver enriching programming that helps youth build academic and social skills, confidence, leadership, creativity, and community connections.
What You'll Do: Create a Positive and Inclusive Culture
You'll help build an environment where every child feels valued, respected, and excited to participate.
Responsibilities include:
Creating a developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and welcoming program activities
Teaching and reinforcing social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and positive behavior
Leading and mentoring program staff and volunteers
Maintaining youth safety during activities, transitions, and community outings
Ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and quality standards
Bring programming to Life
Working alongside the K-5 Director and staff team, you'll help design and implement programming that is fun, engaging, and meaningful.
Responsibilities include:
Supporting afterschool program development aligned with program goals and licensing standards
Leading academic support during daily "Boost Time," including literacy, homework, and skill-building activities
Facilitating enrichment blocks focused on creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning
Collaborating with volunteers, interns, community partners, and other King Street programs
Helping coordinate special projects, events, and cross-program opportunities
Support Youth and Families
Strong relationships are at the heart of our work.
Responsibilities include:
Monitoring and documenting youth growth, accomplishments, and emerging interests
Communicating regularly with program leadership regarding youth successes and needs
Building positive partnerships with families and caregivers
Participating in family meetings and supporting ongoing engagement efforts
Additional Responsibilities
Participate in required training and professional development
Maintain program spaces, materials, and storage areas
Assist with program setup, cleanup, and organization
Drive a 15-passenger van after training, when needed
Support vacation week and summer programming
Perform other related duties as assigned
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in this position, nor does every position necessarily require these duties.
Physical Requirements & Work
Work is conducted inside and outside during all seasons.
Must be physically active, participate in gross motor games, and move distances to neighborhood sites.
Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds.
Occasional interaction with children with social, emotional and behavioral needs.
Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Who You Are
You are someone who believes in the potential of every child and understands the power of strong relationships, engaging learning experiences, and culturally responsive practice.
What you’ll Bring
Education
High school diploma
Coursework or training related to classroom management and curriculum development
Experience
Experience managing groups of elementary-aged youth in a school, afterschool, childcare, or similar setting
Experience working with BIPOC, low-income, refugee, and/or immigrant communities
Skills & Strengths
Valid driver's license
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging
Strong classroom management abilities
Knowledge of child development and group dynamics
Experience planning and facilitating engaging activities
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Strong organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills
Ability to support elementary-level literacy and math learning
Cultural humility, curiosity, and sensitivity
Ability to adapt, collaborate, give and receive feedback
Comfort learning and using technology, including AI tools and smartboards
What we’d prefer
We're especially interested in candidates who bring one or more of the following:
One or more years of youth leadership experience
Experience supporting youth with social/emotional challenges
Experience working with neurodivergent youth
Training in trauma-informed care or de-escalation techniques
Social work experience
Literacy, math, arts, or enrichment teaching experience
Professional Growth Opportunities
At King Street Center, we invest in our staff and support ongoing professional development.
Employees without a Bachelor's degree will be asked complete one of Vermont's approved afterschool credentials within their first year, such as:
Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate
Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate
Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate
Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential
Vermont Program Director Credential
Vermont Teacher Licensure
Bachelor's Degree completion pathway
How to Apply
Please send the following materials to hr@kingstreetcenter.org:
Resume
Cover Letter that includes:
What inspires you to work at King Street Center
Your experience working with historically underserved youth and families
Three professional references
No resume? Complete our application form here: https://forms.gle/sAyv68wX1HvtdfiFA
Benefits information: https://www.kingstreetcenter.org/employment
Equal Opportunity Employer
King Street Center is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you're ready to inspire young people, build community, and make a lasting difference, we encourage you to apply.