Job Description
Amara’s youth programing will bring school-aged youth together to develop stronger social and emotional (SEL) skills, facilitate activities that support positive identity development and sense of self, and create opportunities for youth to plug into a network of peers who have similar lived experiences.
The Youth Development Specialist is a direct service provider for a vulnerable population. To provide the best possible service to trauma-impacted youth, the Youth Development Specialist must stay up to date on required training and seek out relevant professional development opportunities.
At least 50% of the Youth Development Specialist’s time is spent in-person, facilitating programs with youth and participating in on-site meetings. Youth Development Specialists must have reliable transportation to attend regular team meetings, school-based programs, on-site programs, and occasional events at other community locations. When in-person work is not scheduled, employees are able to work from either Amara office or remotely. Employees must have access to a stable internet connection if choosing to work remotely.
Responsibilities: Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plans, implements, and carries out weekly educational programs and activities to meet the organization’s overall youth development mission.
- Arrange reliable transportation for regular travel to school-based programs, off-site programs, and in-office meetings and transport necessary materials.
- Identify and maintain a database of youth qualified for services in coordination with community partners, ensuring program design meets population needs including within affinity groups (BIPOC youth, LBGTQIA+ youth).
- Responsible for outreach, screening, enrollment, goal setting, regular check-in meetings, and a final report at the conclusion of provided services.
- Facilitate both weekly and special programming such as field trips, workshops, and special events.
- Assist with recruitment, screening, and enrollment of youth into appropriate cohorts for programing.
- Assist families/youth with referral services for needs that fall outside the scope of Amara’s program offerings.
- Ensure that programs support youth through harm reduction, trauma informed care and culturally responsive approaches.
- Monitor and supervise the safety and behavior of participants, ensuring that the program maintains established safety protocols including first aid, evacuation, and emergency procedures.
- Will lead performance measurement evaluation and continuous quality improvement activities.
- Manages administrative functions which may include data collection, database management, developing/refining program materials, running participant and outcome reports and program analysis necessary to meet funder requirements as well as internal program evaluation.
- Participate in all program meetings and staff development activities, including coordinating and attending annual training in issues of equity and social justice.
- Work with government and partner organizations to coordinate and align services for participants.
- Participate in required funder meetings including (quarterly) BSK Learning Circles, monthly check-ins, and the like; to improve system connection and coordination.
- Responsible for any required reporting including quarterly participant reports and annual narrative progress reports.
- Occasionally represent Amara at community and outreach events