Activity Leader Jobs
Activity leader jobs are open across camps, recreation centers, senior living, and youth programs, from entry-level counselor roles to program director positions, with specializations in outdoor education, therapeutic recreation, and after-school enrichment. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Activity Leader jobs
Qualifications
- High school or equivalent (Required)
- Experience with Children: Minimum 3 years (Required)
- Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
- First Aid Certification (Preferred)
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Job Description
After-School All-Stars New York: Part-Time Group Leader/Activity Specialist
After-School All-Stars (ASAS) is one of the leading national after-school program providers in the country. Our comprehensive school-based programs combine activities and learning to help build the knowledge and skills children need to succeed, both in school and in life. For school year 2026-2027, we are looking for energetic, creative Group leaders/Activity Specialists who want to join our team for our after-school programming.
Position: Group Leader/Activity Specialist
After-School All Stars NY will be providing after-school programming throughout the five Boroughs. This is a part-time, seasonal position from September 2026 through June 2027. With a special focus on the elementary age group, our cost-free, comprehensive school-based programs include Academic Readiness, Career Exploration, STEM, Wellness/Social Emotional Learning, and the Arts to help build the knowledge and skills children need to succeed, both in school and in life.
Required Dates:
After-school will take place Monday through Friday from 2PM-6PM beginning September 16th through June 11th, 2027.
Compensation: $17.50-19.50/hour depending on role and experience
Location Varies: Brooklyn, New York
Responsibilities/ Duties:
Group Leaders are responsible for monitoring and managing between 25 to 30 participants in and out of the classroom with the assistance of other staff. Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, organized, and able to manage and engage large groups of students.
Positive Environment:
- Know the safety policies and procedures and keep them.
- Always remain present with the students ensuring ratios are maintained.
- Plan multiple opportunities for students to speak and lead in class.
- Recognize and embrace participants for who they are (current behaviors and beliefs) and encourage, invite, and welcome them to opportunities to expand who they are (future behaviors and beliefs).
- Create a warm, safe environment that celebrates diverse cultures and encourages participation and effort.
Positive Relationship:
- Establish clear expectations and guidelines for appropriate behavior.
- Resolve conflict positively and communicate effectively.
- Ask students for their input, ideas, feedback, and opinions.
- Set healthy boundaries that model healthy adult-student behavior.
- Maintain professional and positive relationships with school staff, partners, participants and parents.
- Treat participants and colleagues with respect always.
- Content includes experiential and inquiry-based learning, building critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
Positive Experience:
- Provide participants with the opportunity to give input and suggestions for lessons.
- Allow participants to have leadership opportunities to plan and make decisions about course offerings, projects, and culminating events.
- Collaborate with Program Directors and Site Coordinators to establish and maintain high
quality program.
- Attend professional development activities and meetings.
- Support student recruitment and promotion of the program.
- (Activity Specialist) 2-4 lesson plan weekly with learning objective or skill building in each lesson.
Data Management:
- Maintain accurate attendance data and reports.
- Submit required data on time and accurately.
Experience and Education:
The successful candidate will have at minimum 2 years or more of non-profit or related youth development program experience. The individual will have a familiarity with and passion for working with spirited, high need, diverse youth populations.
- Must clear Department of Education PETS Fingerprinting process, School Aged Children Care Program requirements, Statewide Central Register of Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) clearance as well as Medical, FBI Livescan, State background check, Medical and Tuberculosis Clearance(if required)
- One or more years’ experience working in an after school, day camp, or community youth outreach setting, primarily of the elementary and middle school age is preferred.
- Familiarity and experience with diverse populations and cultural competencies are strongly desired.
- Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate sensitivity to others as well as respond to critical incidents and act swiftly in emergency situations.
- Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with school district staff, program staff, parents, and community leaders.
- Experience creating lesson plans or multi-week curriculum preferred.
- Some undergraduate study is required; coursework in education, social or human services, child development, or related field is desirable.
- Individuals who may have experience in the following areas: Math, English, STEM, Theatre, Music, Dance, Computer Literacy, and Social Justice are highly desired.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work with electronic devices.
Submit resume for consideration to nyoperations@afterschoolallstars.org, cc:
tenisha.swift@afterschoolallstars.org
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $17.50 - $19.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
Qualifications
- High school or equivalent (Required)
- Experience with Children: Minimum 3 years (Required)
- Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
- First Aid Certification (Preferred)
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Job Description
After-School All-Stars New York: Part-Time Group Leader/Activity Specialist
After-School All-Stars (ASAS) is one of the leading national after-school program providers in the country. Our comprehensive school-based programs combine activities and learning to help build the knowledge and skills children need to succeed, both in school and in life. For school year 2026-2027, we are looking for energetic, creative Group leaders/Activity Specialists who want to join our team for our after-school programming.
Position: Group Leader/Activity Specialist
After-School All Stars NY will be providing after-school programming throughout the five Boroughs. This is a part-time, seasonal position from September 2026 through June 2027. With a special focus on the elementary age group, our cost-free, comprehensive school-based programs include Academic Readiness, Career Exploration, STEM, Wellness/Social Emotional Learning, and the Arts to help build the knowledge and skills children need to succeed, both in school and in life.
Required Dates:
After-school will take place Monday through Friday from 2PM-6PM beginning September 16th through June 11th, 2027.
Compensation: $17.50-19.50/hour depending on role and experience
Location Varies: Brooklyn, New York
Responsibilities/ Duties:
Group Leaders are responsible for monitoring and managing between 25 to 30 participants in and out of the classroom with the assistance of other staff. Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, organized, and able to manage and engage large groups of students.
Positive Environment:
- Know the safety policies and procedures and keep them.
- Always remain present with the students ensuring ratios are maintained.
- Plan multiple opportunities for students to speak and lead in class.
- Recognize and embrace participants for who they are (current behaviors and beliefs) and encourage, invite, and welcome them to opportunities to expand who they are (future behaviors and beliefs).
- Create a warm, safe environment that celebrates diverse cultures and encourages participation and effort.
Positive Relationship:
- Establish clear expectations and guidelines for appropriate behavior.
- Resolve conflict positively and communicate effectively.
- Ask students for their input, ideas, feedback, and opinions.
- Set healthy boundaries that model healthy adult-student behavior.
- Maintain professional and positive relationships with school staff, partners, participants and parents.
- Treat participants and colleagues with respect always.
- Content includes experiential and inquiry-based learning, building critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
Positive Experience:
- Provide participants with the opportunity to give input and suggestions for lessons.
- Allow participants to have leadership opportunities to plan and make decisions about course offerings, projects, and culminating events.
- Collaborate with Program Directors and Site Coordinators to establish and maintain high
quality program.
- Attend professional development activities and meetings.
- Support student recruitment and promotion of the program.
- (Activity Specialist) 2-4 lesson plan weekly with learning objective or skill building in each lesson.
Data Management:
- Maintain accurate attendance data and reports.
- Submit required data on time and accurately.
Experience and Education:
The successful candidate will have at minimum 2 years or more of non-profit or related youth development program experience. The individual will have a familiarity with and passion for working with spirited, high need, diverse youth populations.
- Must clear Department of Education PETS Fingerprinting process, School Aged Children Care Program requirements, Statewide Central Register of Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) clearance as well as Medical, FBI Livescan, State background check, Medical and Tuberculosis Clearance(if required)
- One or more years’ experience working in an after school, day camp, or community youth outreach setting, primarily of the elementary and middle school age is preferred.
- Familiarity and experience with diverse populations and cultural competencies are strongly desired.
- Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate sensitivity to others as well as respond to critical incidents and act swiftly in emergency situations.
- Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with school district staff, program staff, parents, and community leaders.
- Experience creating lesson plans or multi-week curriculum preferred.
- Some undergraduate study is required; coursework in education, social or human services, child development, or related field is desirable.
- Individuals who may have experience in the following areas: Math, English, STEM, Theatre, Music, Dance, Computer Literacy, and Social Justice are highly desired.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work with electronic devices.
Submit resume for consideration to nyoperations@afterschoolallstars.org, cc:
tenisha.swift@afterschoolallstars.org
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $17.50 - $19.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
Activity Leader Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Activity Leader JobsActivity Leader Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in activity leader jobs.
- CPR and First Aid certification required at time of hire or within 30 days
- Experience planning and facilitating structured group activities for the target population
- Background check clearance, including fingerprinting for roles with minors
- Strong verbal communication and behavior management skills in group settings
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, or seasonal schedules as programming demands
- Associate or bachelor's degree in recreation, education, human services, or a related field
Tips for Your Activity Leader Job Search
Tailor your resume to program outcomes
Activity leaders are hired on what participants achieved, not just what you planned. List enrollment numbers, completion rates, or behavioral improvements you observed. Employers want proof your programs landed, not just that you ran them.
Certify before you apply
Many activity leader roles require CPR, First Aid, or a specific credential like Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist before day one. Check each listing's requirements early and get any missing certifications in progress so you're not filtered out automatically.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists activity leader openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target listings by population served
Activity leader roles vary enormously depending on whether the population is children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, or at-risk youth. Search with the population in mind and frame your past experience around that specific group in every application you send.
Prepare a scenario answer about conflict
Interviewers for activity leader roles almost always ask how you handled a participant who refused to engage or disrupted a session. Prepare a specific story that shows de-escalation, creativity, and a positive outcome rather than a vague response about patience.
Negotiate start date around seasonal windows
Many activity leader positions are tied to program calendars, so a later start date can cost you an entire session's employment. When you receive an offer, confirm the program cycle dates before negotiating timing so you don't accidentally push yourself out of the role.
Activity Leader Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most activity leaders?
The most active employers for activity leaders right now are YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, Pasco County Schools, and Telecare Corporation, and the most openings are in Florida, New York, and Indiana, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to cluster around residential care, youth development organizations, and municipal parks and recreation departments.
How many activity leader jobs are remote?
About 0% of activity leader openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how hands-on most of these roles are. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are curriculum development, program coordination, and administrative program management rather than direct participant-facing facilitation.
How do you become an activity leader?
Start by gaining direct experience working with your target population through volunteering, internships, or part-time roles at camps, recreation centers, or care facilities. Earn CPR and First Aid certification, and pursue a credential in recreation, education, or human services if the roles you want require one. Build a portfolio of programs you've planned and led, including any measurable outcomes, before applying to full-time positions.
How do you get hired as an activity leader with little experience?
Focus on roles that explicitly accept entry-level candidates, such as seasonal camp counselor positions, after-school program assistant roles, or volunteer coordinator openings at nonprofits. Highlight any informal experience leading groups, such as coaching, tutoring, or organizing community events. Getting certified in CPR and First Aid before you apply removes one common barrier employers cite when screening newer candidates.
What does the activity leader interview process look like?
Most activity leader interviews include a phone or video screen followed by an in-person interview with a program director or HR coordinator. Expect behavioral questions about managing group dynamics, handling emergencies, and adapting activities for participants with varying needs. Some employers ask you to demonstrate or describe a sample activity, so come prepared with a concrete program idea tied to their population.
Where can I find and apply to activity leader jobs?
You can find and apply to activity leader jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience, population focus, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
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