Afterschool Program Manager

About Us

Harlem Grown is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. We operate local urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provide farm-based development programs to Harlem youth.

Founded in 2011 by Tony Hillery with one school partnership, one urban farm and an idea to help Harlem children, today Harlem Grown’s farms and greenhouses are used as classrooms and as venues to cultivate a connection to the environment and food among young people. Harlem Grown operates 14 urban agricultural sites featuring soil-based urban farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and a mushroom chamber.  All of our sites are located between 122^nd and 152^nd Streets in Central Harlem, Manhattan. 

 

Our Programs

Harlem Grown cultivates deep community roots by growing fresh food, strong youth, and lasting relationships. We meet children where they live, learn, and grow—offering opportunities that extend beyond our farms to the classroom and into their futures. Through Food and Farm Education, we help youth build healthy habits, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to their community. Our urban farms provide free produce and nutritious meals for families while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. Through 14 urban farms and year-round programming, we provide free produce, nutritious meals, and cooking lessons while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. In addition, our programs increase economic opportunity for families and develop leadership and advocacy skills so participants can drive transformational change in their communities.

At Harlem Grown, we grow healthy children and communities through hands-on education, access to resources, and long-term youth support. Our Food and Farm Education —including summer camp, in-school and after-school programs, mobile education, service learning, and farm tours—delivers farm-based lessons to children in our community. We offer free community resources like farmstands, Saturdays on the farm, and events that provide fresh food and create spaces for support and connection. Through academic support, internships, and career readiness programs, we help our young people build confidence and skills to thrive from elementary school through adulthood.

Type: Full Time | Salary

Location: Frederick Samuel Community Center  

Schedule: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-6pm | Saturday: 9am-5pm 

 

Our Programs 

Harlem Grown provides youth and community development programs focused on urban farming, wellness, and sustainability through the lens of racial justice, food justice, social justice, and equity. Our youth-focused programs include intensive school partnerships, educational farm tours, a summer camp, a Saturday enrichment program, and a DYCD COMPASS afterschool program.  

 

Position Overview: 

The Program Manager reports to the Program Director and works a Tuesday through Saturday schedule to support the daily operations, administration, and overall quality of Harlem Grown’s youth and community programming at Frederick Samuel Community Center. Working closely with program leadership, this role helps ensure programs are safe, organized, engaging, and aligned with Harlem Grown’s mission, while also supporting compliance with DOH, DYCD, and SACC requirements, including documentation, operational readiness, and day to day program procedures. The Program Manager also helps lead family engagement efforts, supervises Activity Specialists and Group Leaders, and provides program coverage as needed, including stepping into classrooms or leading activities. In addition, this role will serve as the lead for Saturday programming and coordinate Saturday programming operations, including partner communication, workshop support, and day to day site oversight. This role requires strong organizational skills, leadership, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating a positive and supportive environment for participants, families, staff, and community partners. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Program Supervision 

• Help maintain compliance with all applicable DOH, SACC, DYCD, and Harlem Grown policies, procedures, and licensing requirements.  

• Support program readiness for inspections, site visits, and other compliance reviews by ensuring documentation, procedures, and program practices are up to date.  

• Assist in monitoring health, safety, supervision, and ratio practices to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and organizational expectations.  

• Coordinate recruitment to achieve and maintain full enrollment for after-school and summer camp.  

• Supervise and evaluate staff performance of Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, and other program staff. 

• Support the coordination of staff and program schedules.  

• Support the onboarding and training of staff, including activity specialists, group leaders, and interns, with an emphasis on compliance, safety, supervision, and program procedures. 

• Review lesson plans to ensure activities are age-appropriate, thematic, experiential, educationally sound, and aligned with Harlem Grown’s logic model. 

• Assist in organizing community and family events, as well as marketing and outreach efforts.  

• Develop relationships with parents through family engagement strategies and regular communication. 

• Work closely with the Program Leadership team to ensure programs align with Harlem Grown’s mission, goals, and regulatory requirements.  

• Collaborate with Program Leadership team, and other staff to oversee Harlem Grown’s DYCD-funded after-school program and Summer Camp program. 

• Step in as the lead in a classroom when needed to support program coverage and ensure continuity of daily activities. 

• Greet participants and their families, provide information about program services, and sign participants in and out throughout the program operating hours. 

• In the absence of the Program Director, oversee the management of all programs and activities. 

Administrative Duties 

• Maintain and monitor key program administration systems, including student enrollment records, attendance, medical and consent forms, employee documentation, and other required compliance records.  

• Support the timely completion, collection, and renewal of all required program documents, certificates, and internal compliance materials for school-age child care and summer camp operations. 

• Lead Saturday programming operations, including opening and preparing the site for programming, partners, staff, and participants. 

• Coordinate with partner organizations to support the smooth implementation of afternoon workshops and shared use of program spaces. 

• Design, plan, and facilitate engaging workshops and community-based activities for Harlem Grown participants and broader community.  

• Supervise Saturday staff to ensure safe, organized, and high-quality program implementation. 

• Assist with Summer Camp by providing both administrative and programmatic support.  

• Support program evaluation and reporting requirements.  

• Support budget tracking for after-school and summer camp programs, ensuring policy adherence and accountability.  

• Collaborate with program staff and leadership on the planning, implementation, and follow-up for events and holiday programming. 

 Team Collaboration and Leadership 

• Work effectively with the Program Leadership Team to support and lead the program team. 

• Serve as a role model, demonstrating and reinforcing Harlem Grown’s core values. 

• Participate as a team member in supporting Harlem Grown’s broader initiatives and programs. 

• Perform additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Director. 

• Other duties as assigned 

 

Qualifications:

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Must be 18 years of age or older 

• 1-year supervisory experience within an educational or nonprofit context. 

• Demonstrated experience in program coordination or management, preferably within an educational or nonprofit context. 

• Proven ability to lead, train, and manage a diverse team of staff and volunteers. 

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with a keen attention to detail. 

• Excellent communication skills for effective interaction with students, parents, staff, and community members. 

• Experience in budget management and program evaluation. 

• Familiarity with compliance regulations and best practices for licensed programs. 

 

At Harlem Grown, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. We are an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, where each individual feels as if their identity, experience, and values are represented and supported. We are dedicated to creating a space where children, especially those of color, are given the opportunity and skills to lead healthy and ambitious lives. We strongly believe in building a team that reflects and appreciates the underrepresented population of students, families, and people that we serve. Become a member of our family.