TEACHER ASSIGNED VACANCY NO 13 WELLNESS PROGRAM SPECIALIST  2025  2026

(SUBJECT TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY)

POSITION:

Teacher Assigned: Wellness Program Specialist

(FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY)

(ONE YEAR POSITION)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Teaching students to take care of their minds and their bodies builds a foundation for lifelong learning and ensures they have the skills needed to be physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally healthy. The New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Wellness Programs (OSWP) supports school communities in building structures and environments where Health Education and Physical Education (PE) thrive, and guides schools in teaching nearly one million students what they need to know to make healthy, informed choices now and throughout their lives.

Recognizing that every student has a right to quality PE and Health Education instruction, as well as opportunities to engage in wellness-related activities inside and outside of the classroom, we believe in protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all students, and we are committed to upholding the protections afforded to individuals under local, state and federal law. Our practices reflect a dedication to equity, dignity and the right of every student to learn in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

The Mayor and the Chancellor have committed to making health and wellness a foundational component of all New York City students’ education; one of the Chancellor’s pillars is “prioritizing wellness and its link to student success.” School Wellness Councils promote high-quality PE and Health Education as cornerstones of a wellness plan, as well as programs related to mental health, physical activity, nutrition, staff wellness, school environment, and community health. They are key structures that engage families, students, and the school community in elevating health education instruction and creating safe, vibrant, healthy, inclusive school environments. The NYC Public Schools Citywide Wellness Policy encourages all schools to establish and sustain wellness councils. The OSWP Wellness Program Specialist will support wellness initiatives and districts’ capacity to enhance and promote health and wellness across their schools.

LOCATION:

Office of School Wellness Programs locations TBD and Visiting various sites throughout New York City.

ELIGIBILITY:

Certified and licensed, appointed and tenured New York City Department of Education teachers with background and experience in school wellness.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Minimum of three (3) years of Effective or Highly Effective (or Satisfactory or equivalent) experience at the NYC Department of Education
• Demonstrated understanding of developmentally appropriate, standards-based teaching in health education and/or physical education or another academic area with strong content knowledge including curricula, assessment, and national and state standards and regulations
• Master’s degree in public health preferred
• Teacher certified in subject(s) other than health or physical education should have experience developing lessons and resources to support health education, physical education, and/or student well-being
• Demonstrated knowledge of the NYC Public Schools Citywide Wellness Policy and Whole Schools, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model preferred
• Commitment to continuous professional development and facilitating professional learning
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in creating professional development programs and materials
• Experience in using the most recent OSWP recommended health curricula preferred
• Experience in program or project management
• Experience with operating School Wellness Councils
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and/or Access

  Plus 

   

  • Strong task oriented and project management skills; extremely well organized
  • Ability to prioritize and work independently under strict timelines to meet frequent and changing deadlines, handle many responsibilities simultaneously, and communicate on the status of projects.
  • Excellent computer skills with PowerPoint, Excel, and LCD projector experience.
  • Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
  • Knowledge of best practices and current trends in school wellness policy, physical education, health education and/or public health.
  • Strong desire to work in a fast-paced, collaborative office is critical, as is a strong team work ethic, sense of humor, and understanding of diplomacy/politics.

     

    DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inform planning and implementation of professional development sessions and resources to support the development and build capacity of wellness leaders, district-level wellness groups, and School Wellness Councils
• Manage the School Wellness Council grant program (contingent upon funding) including planning and implementing daily and annual workstreams such as recruitment, communications, training, engagement, and identifying/sharing best practices.
• Work on the Implementation Team to support various projects
• Work with internal staff and district office staff, et al. to build understanding of rigorous health education pedagogy and wellness programs
• Create trainings and related materials. Facilitate trainings and provide support to internal OSWP staff, aspiring and existing School Wellness Council Champions and members, district office staff, et al.
• Create plans and identify relevant resources for projects funded by OSWP acquired grants and other initiatives
• Assess and review curricula and related materials
• Assist district-based personnel with disseminating information/resources about health education and wellness programming
• Coordinate improvements in health education, physical education and school wellness programs through the customization of OSWP and partner services and resources to meet districts’ and schools’ unique needs
• Identify programmatic challenges through program evaluation while providing strategies that support the advancement of program planning, implementation, and expansion
• Collaborate with various OSWP teams to develop resources, execute activities for grants and other initiatives, and strengthen programs and relationships with districts and schools. Collaborate with various OSWP staff members to help meet districts’ and schools’ health and wellness needs.

SALARY:      

As per UFT Collective Bargaining Agreement

HOURS:

9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday

WORK YEAR:

School year plus five additional days during winter, spring, or summer vacation period

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Send cover letter, resume, and copy of license(s) by May 29, 2025, to:

 jdavilla@schools.nyc.gov

Subject line: “School Wellness Council Program Specialist”