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About the Role

The Chess Specialist will plan and facilitate engaging, skill-building chess programming for middle school students in grades 6–8. The specialist will introduce students to the fundamentals of chess while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and sportsmanship.

Responsibilities

Plan and facilitate structured chess lessons, workshops, and practice sessions for students in grades 6–8.
Teach chess fundamentals, including piece movement, rules, openings, strategies, tactics, and endgame techniques.
Develop students' critical thinking, strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Introduce advanced strategies and challenges to accommodate varying skill levels.
Organize chess matches, tournaments, competitions, and student-led chess events.
Encourage sportsmanship, patience, perseverance, and respectful competition.
Create opportunities for students to learn from one another through peer mentoring and collaborative play.
Maintain a structured, safe, and inclusive learning environment.
Maintain accurate attendance and program documentation as required.
Complete 15 hours of professional development each calendar year.
Attend all meetings, training workshops and special events as required.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Design and implement sequential, project-based units and lesson plans in assigned specialty area.
Align activities with program goals, youth interests, and DYCD/COMPASS-SONYC frameworks.
Integrate social-emotional learning, teamwork, and youth leadership opportunities into activities.
Prepare materials and supplies in advance; maintain an organized, safe activity space.
Lead engaging, hands-on sessions that are inclusive and differentiated for various skill and grade levels.
Establish clear expectations, routines, and positive behavior supports.
Build strong relationships with youth; encourage participation, creativity, and persistence.
Adapt activities as needed based on student responses, behavior, and feedback.
Collaborate with Group Leaders, Tutors, and site leadership to coordinate schedules and support youth needs.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
Share progress, challenges, and recommendations for program improvement with supervisors.
Ensure youth safety and supervision at all times, following agency and DYCD policies.
Assist with attendance, sign-in/out, and other basic documentation as required.
Care for and inventory program equipment and supplies related to the specialty area.

Requirements

Available during after-school hours, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Monday-Friday during the school year and some school holidays.
2+ years' experience working with children or youth in group settings.
Ability to plan structured activities and manage a group independently.
Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred.
Demonstrated experience or knowledge in chess, competitive play, coaching, or instruction.
Strong understanding of chess rules, strategies, and instructional techniques.
Ability to teach chess in an engaging and youth-friendly manner.
Strong communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to differentiate instruction for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.
Comfortable organizing and leading group competitions and tournaments.
Must be dependable, professional, patient, and enthusiastic.
High school diploma/GED required.
Ability to pass required background checks and comply with program policies and safety requirements.
Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field preferred.
Experience in a DYCD-funded program or NYC after-school setting preferred.
Bilingual language skills preferred.

Skills

Chess fundamentals
Piece movement
Strategy
Tactics
Openings
Endgame techniques
Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Patience
Sportsmanship
Classroom management
Interpersonal skills
Differentiating instruction

Location

Brooklyn
Queens
The Bronx
Manhattan

Work Type

Part Time
Monday - Friday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Experience Level

2+ years' experience working with children or youth in group settings
Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred
College degree, chess certification, or equivalent experience preferred

Education Level

High school diploma/GED
College degree preferred
Chess certification preferred
Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field preferred

Salary/Compensations

$21.50 - 24.50 per hour

About the Company

For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashe’s legacy by celebrating the diversity of children, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through free tennis and academic programs.
NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching nearly 90,000 kids.
In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx.
All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.
The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court.
It believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.

Equal Opportunity

NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.