University Settlement partners with 40,000+ New Yorkers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn every year to build on our collective strengths as we achieve healthy, stable, and remarkable lives. For nearly 140 years, we’ve fought poverty and systemic inequality by building highly effective social services in collaboration with our neighbors. Established in 1886 as the first Settlement House in the United States, we bring the values of that movement into the 21st century by meeting New Yorkers where they live, listening deeply to all perspectives, and creating space for responsive cooperation.  

Joining with our neighbors to make stable foundations where people of all ages can grow and pursue their dreams, we build community strength. We infuse a commitment to civic engagement, equality, and communal action into each of our programs, which include early childhood education, youth development, healthy aging, mental health and wellness, English classes for adult immigrants, community centers, and the arts.

The Lower East Side (LES) Lab Program Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the newly established LES Lab, a research-grade community science laboratory opening in September 2026. The LES Lab is designed to serve the students, educators, and broader community of New York City Community School District 1 by fostering hands-on scientific inquiry, environmental stewardship, and community-based learning.

Funding for this position is provided through the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) in support of the project, Sound Science: Community-Based Extensions of Salt Marsh and Sea Level Rise Studies. Through this initiative, high school interns will participate in salt marsh field sampling at sites throughout the Long Island Sound region under the mentorship of Dr. Giovanna McClenachan of Stony Brook University. Interns will engage in field sampling, data collection, and analysis while developing educational activities that help community members understand the connections among sea level rise, salt marsh ecology, and community resilience. These educational resources will be shared with students, educators, families, and the wider public.

The Program Director will be a creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader with a strong scientific background and a passion for community-engaged research and STEM education. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the successful launch, growth, and long-term sustainability of the LES Lab while delivering high-quality educational and research programming.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Program Management

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the LES Lab, ensuring alignment with its mission and goals.
• Oversee all day-to-day operations, logistics, and administration of the LES Lab.
• Establish and implement systems for participant tracking, equipment management, inventory control, and program documentation.
• Maintain regular communication with supervisors regarding program operations, challenges, and opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Research and Student Development

• Supervise, mentor, and support high school interns engaged in scientific research projects.
• Coordinate field and laboratory activities related to salt marsh ecology, sea level rise, and environmental monitoring.
• Guide students in translating research findings into engaging educational activities for middle school students and community audiences.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment that promotes scientific inquiry and leadership development.

Curriculum and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with teachers, scientists, and community stakeholders to design and implement educational programming aligned with the LES Lab's mission.
• Develop partnerships with New York City Public Schools staff, school administrators, families, community-based organizations, and STEM partners.
• Support broader school and community initiatives that advance student achievement and environmental literacy.
• Lead science communication and storytelling efforts to increase visibility and community engagement.
• Coordinate public events, workshops, exhibitions, and community science initiatives.

Compliance, Reporting, and Fiscal Management

• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, funding regulations, and applicable agency policies.
• Prepare and submit required program reports, data summaries, and other documentation in a timely manner.
• Monitor program expenditures and collaborate with the Finance Department to maintain sound fiscal management practices.
• Manage laboratory operations in accordance with safety protocols and organizational policies.

Communications and Sustainability

• Oversee external communications, including websites, social media platforms, and public-facing materials and events.
• Support fundraising efforts, grant development, and initiatives that contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the LES Lab.
• Promote the impact of the LES Lab through effective science communication and stakeholder engagement.

Facilities Coordination

• Ensure appropriate use and maintenance of school and laboratory facilities.
• Maintain effective working relationships with school custodial, security, and facilities staff.