Work with us
Street Lab is a nonprofit that uses a pop-up approach to transform the street-level environment of New York City. We do this work to improve lives, strengthen neighborhoods, and bring New Yorkers together. Everywhere we work is by request, and we partner with communities and city government to bring immediate benefits to residents while building support for long-term change.
There are four areas of our work. First, we deploy award-winning pop-ups that make a place for learning, play, and more, 500 times a year, city-wide, 94% in low-moderate income neighborhoods. Second, we partner with communities to launch Open Streets, School Streets, Play Streets, and other large-scale street transformations. Third, we design and build pop-up infrastructure used by our team, our partners, and other cities around the world. Finally, we run youth education programs that involve young people in all aspects of Street Lab’s work.
We’re now hiring for these roles:
Program Staff
HOURS: Flexible Part-time
WORK SCHEDULE: Weekdays and Saturdays
EMPLOYMENT DATES: Seasonal (April-October)
PAY: $22/hr, increasing to $25/hr after 12 months
LOCATION: New York City
DATE POSTED: January 15, 2026 (hiring throughout the year)
Street Lab is hiring Program Staff to run our pop-ups on the streets of New York City. We’re looking for curious, outgoing, enthusiastic New Yorkers who are excited by the challenge of setting up and overseeing pop-up reading rooms, drawing stations, cooling stations, and more across the city. You will be on the front lines of Street Lab’s work in communities, and you should be focused on (and enjoy!) engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in our programs, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and included.
These positions are temporary and part time, with most work happening during the warmer months. Shifts are typically four hours long, and Program Staff typically work two or three shifts per week during the height of the season. We will work with you to create a custom work schedule based on your availability.
Responsibilities
- Setting up our installations, deploying street furniture and barricades, and packing up at the end of the event
- Greeting the public, making everyone feels welcome
- Introducing the program materials and activities to participants
- Ensuring program materials are well organized and attractive
- Representing Street Lab and explaining the organization’s work to the public
- Communicating with other Street Lab staff, delivery drivers, community partners, and volunteers to ensure a seamless event
- Taking photos and submitting brief feedback after each event
Qualifications
- Experience with and passion for interacting with diverse members of the public of all ages, especially children
- Excellent customer service skills and a helpful, friendly disposition
- Confidence and good verbal communication skills
- Willingness to travel by public transportation throughout all five boroughs of NYC
- Ability to roll bureau-sized stage cases by hand, lift 25 lb. bins to a height of 3-4 feet, and remain on your feet for periods of time
- Language skills and knowledge of NYC neighborhoods are a plus, but not required.
How to apply
Please email a cover letter and resume as a single PDF to Leslie Davol at [email protected] with subject line “Program Staff: [your name].” If selected to interview, at least two references will be required.
New opportunities coming soon!
In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out with a letter introducing yourself and your interest in working with Street Lab! Please include your resume and/or portfolio.
Have a question?
Quotes from our staff:
“I definitely felt like I was making an impact. Whether it was introducing young kids to different areas of science/things I will be studying in college, or reading books to kids who don’t have someone at home to read to them, I felt that my presence aided them in several ways. Hearing all the different stories and working with children has also inspired me to do more service work” – Marco
“I want to thank you for allowing me to be part of Street Lab this summer. It allowed me to travel to different pockets of the city that are very overlooked, some places where most never go, and feel like I had an impact.” – Rasheed
“All was well on Saturday. We had about a dozen kids overall, and some stayed all day. Several I recognized from last time I was there, and some kids asked for Greig, so it’s nice that we’re getting a regular crowd. The kids also have favorite books that they remember from prior weeks. One little boy had been obsessed with a book about frogs, and when I pulled it out for him he said ‘Oh no. Now I like funny books, like the book about Mr. Grover.’ ” – Emily
“It’s a great way to see the city!” – Kelleen
Street Lab does not discriminate against any applicant or employee with regard to hiring, retention, promotion, benefits or compensation because of race, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, gender, age, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. View our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Inclusion and Diversity Policy.