Harlem Children's Zone
Breaks poverty cycle through on-the-ground programs
Maintenance Handyman
+ Employee referral bonus
About the job
- A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- Four years of experience demonstrating journey-level skills in assigned areas, including carpentry, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical work, supervision, mechanical assessments, blueprints, and the ability to make repairs, is required.
- Fireguard certifications S95, W7, S12, S13, and F03 are required.
- Ability and skill to use manual and power tools for repairs and installations.
- Ability to perform physical activities requiring lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy or large objects.
- A flexible schedule may be required, including evenings, weekends, or on-call shifts depending on operational needs.
- Perform routine inspections of building interiors and exteriors to identify maintenance needs.
- Complete general maintenance and repairs, including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning work.
- Respond to service requests and ensure timely and effective resolution.
- Maintain and repair equipment, fixtures, and appliances.
- Assist with preventive maintenance programs.
- Ensure all work is completed in compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Maintain and properly use tools and maintenance equipment.
- Communicate with supervisors or management regarding repair needs, materials, or external vendor support.
- Perform emergency and special maintenance tasks, including basic repairs, minor renovations, facility-related incidents, flood response, appliance repair, light renovation, and FDNY compliance.
- Keep records of work completed and materials used.
- Assist with maintaining a clean and safe work environment.
About the company
Harlem Children’s Zone coordinates a place-based set of programs across early childhood through adulthood in Harlem to help children and families thrive. It operates directly through schools, community centers, and outreach to deliver education, career pathways, health and wellness, and family supports. Programs are integrated, meaning services at different stages coordinate for each family, rather than one-off initiatives. This approach distinguishes HCZ from peers by offering a wraparound, long-term support system in a single community, focusing on mobility and prosperity rather than only schooling. The goal is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by creating opportunities in education, work, and life for residents of Harlem.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1970
Get referred to Harlem Children's Zone
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 Wealth Builds CSAs are live, with Ascensus and New York's 529 Program.
- HCZ opened Promise Academy II Elementary at 70 East 112th Street, expanding capacity.
- HCZ reports active hiring in 2026, with about 1,530 employees and 104 postings.
What critics are saying
- July 2026 fraud indictments stole $288,529 from HCZ; controls need tightening immediately.
- Wealth Builds depends on $300 million fundraising; a shortfall stalls expansion beyond Harlem.
- Scaling to ten cities strains execution, and charter politics can choke funding by 2027.
What makes Harlem Children's Zone unique
- HCZ runs cradle-to-career schooling, health, and family services inside a 97-block Harlem footprint.
- Wealth Builds pairs $500 CSAs with financial education, internships, and family wealth-building incentives.
- HCZ combines charter schools with social services, unlike standalone nonprofits or pure-school operators.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Commuter Benefits
Employee Referral Bonus
Wellness Program
Hybrid Work Options
Employee Discounts
Company News
The New York Times: New hire in Newsroom Operations. Posted Monday, July 27, 2026 2:00 pm Juanita Powell-Brunson | The New York Times I am excited to share that Aubrey Armstrong has joined Newsroom Operations as an executive assistant. In this critical role, she will support Solana Pyne and Charlotte Greensit as the newsroom's video expansion continues to scale in complexity and output. Most recently Aubrey was an operations and project manager at Harlem Children's Zone in New York. She holds a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's in sociology from Arizona State University. She is endlessly curious and considers learning a lifelong pursuit. Outside of work, Aubrey enjoys baking and sharing the results with friends, running, walking outdoors, and taking barre pilates classes. She also loves getting creative through sewing, jewelry-making, photography and floral design, and is always working on a handmade gift for someone. She is an avid reader, a fan of live performances, a board game enthusiast, and loves hunting down the city's best bakeries - always accompanied by her Australian shepherd. Please join me in welcoming Aubrey to the team. She starts today. Juanita Powell-Brunson is director of Newsroom Operations at The New York Times.
William Julius Wilson Institute and EdRedesign host fourth annual Summer Institute.
The Harlem Children's Zone, an influential anti-poverty organization, said it is raising $300 million for an initiative called Wealth Builds that will launch in Upper Manhattan, where the group operates, and expand to 10 other cities, including Atlanta and Minneapolis.
Additive Agency LLC is proud to have partnered with Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) to develop the name and visual identity for Wealth Builds, an innovative initiative designed to close the racial wealth gap and open pathways to social and economic mobility for more young people in more communities.
The Harlem Children's Zone, an influential anti-poverty organization, said it is raising $300 million for an initiative called Wealth Builds that will launch in Upper Manhattan, where the group operates, and expand to 10 other cities, including Atlanta and Minneapolis.