Aftercare Associate

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Pingry School: Short Hills Campus
Division: Auxiliary Programs
Reports To: Aftercare Lead Teacher
FLSA Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt (10-Month School Year)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Pingry School seeks enthusiastic, dependable, and student-centered Aftercare Associates to join our Auxiliary Programs team at the Short Hills campus. This is a part-time, 10-month hourly position running Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., playing a vital role in the daily lives of our Lower School students.

The Aftercare Associate creates a safe, warm, and engaging post-academic environment where elementary students can unwind, socialize, complete homework, and play. Reporting to the Aftercare Lead Teacher, this role balances active outdoor and indoor activity supervision with organized arrival and dismissal logistics, ensuring every child transitions smoothly from the school day to aftercare and home. The ideal candidate brings a high-energy "can-do" attitude, a deep commitment to student well-being, and an inclusive mindset that helps every child feel seen, valued, and supported.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Student Supervision & Program Execution

• Active Engagement & Activity Coordination: Supervise elementary-aged students across snack time, outdoor recess, organized group games, and quiet indoor activities, cultivating a joy-filled and structured environment.
• Homework Support: Provide gentle guidance and structured quiet space to assist students with daily homework and academic tasks.
• Inclusive Environment: Foster a welcoming atmosphere grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and restorative practices, helping children build positive peer relationships.

2. Logistics, Arrival & Dismissal

• Arrival Check-In: Manage the afternoon transition and daily attendance tracking for all students participating in Auxiliary Aftercare programs.
• Controlled Dismissal: Coordinate safe, organized student handoffs to parents/guardians during carpool pickup and supervise student boarding for the inter-campus shuttle.

3. Safety, Protocol & Compliance

• Safety Protocols: Maintain vigilance and enforce all safety guidelines in alignment with school protocols and Standard Response Plans (SRP).
• Behavior Management: Proactively manage student dynamics using restorative, positive reinforcement approaches that uphold Pingry's values and Honor Code.

4. Team Collaboration & Communication

• Proactive Partner: Work in close partnership with the Aftercare Lead Teacher, site coordinators, and campus staff to ensure seamless daily operations.
• Digital Workflow: Utilize Google Suite tools (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar) to maintain accurate attendance logs and stay updated on program communications.

Candidate Profile & Core Competencies
The ideal candidate is an upbeat, dependable youth advocate who thrives in an active, elementary school setting. Whether an aspiring educator, experienced childcare provider, or community leader, they bring warmth, structure, and joy to the after-school hours.

• The Student Champion: Brings authentic energy, empathy, and patience to interactions with young children. Easily connects with elementary students, whether encouraging them through a tough homework problem or leading an active game on the playground.
• The Reliable Safety Anchor: Possesses high attention to detail and unwavering vigilance when it comes to student accountability, attendance logs, and dismissal protocols. Remains calm, organized, and focused during busy pickup windows.
• The Inclusive Culture Builder: Demonstrates a meaningful commitment to DEIB principles and restorative approaches. Skilled at creating a sense of belonging for diverse constituency groups and helping children navigate social interactions thoughtfully.
• The Collaborative Team Player: Brings a positive, "can-do" work ethic, adapts quickly in a fast-paced environment, and communicates effectively with colleagues, parents, and school leadership.

Qualifications

• Prior experience working with elementary-aged children in after-school programs, camps, daycare settings, or educational environments.
• Dedication to supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of young learners.
• Robust interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) with an upbeat, engaging personality.
• Comfort incorporating technology into daily workflows, including Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar) and video platforms (Zoom). Experience with school databases (e.g., Veracross, Finalsite) is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
• Demonstrated experience supporting an inclusive, equitable culture using restorative practices and community-building approaches.
• High level of personal responsibility, punctuality, and accountability.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The hourly rate range for this position is $18.00 to $25.00 per hour. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education.

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.

The Pingry School aspires to be an anti-racist community and is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pingry is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Pingry School's employment policy is that individuals will receive equal opportunity in all matters pertaining to recruitment, employment, salary, promotion, and assignment, regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or other basis proscribed by federal, state, and local law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.