Department: Education & Training
Hours: Full time, 30 hours per week
Summary: Action Inc’s Compass program works with young adults who are 16-24 years old and seeking to obtain their GED/ HiSET (High School Equivalency). Additionally, Compass runs an online credit recovery program for current high school students who are at risk of withdrawing from school. Compass utilizes a positive youth development approach to support young people based on their interests, strengths, and needs.
The Youth Engagement Coordinator will work alongside Compass students and staff to plan and execute robust program offerings. The Youth Engagement Coordinator will interact with students individually and as a group facilitator. The Youth Engagement Coordinator will help students recognize their own strengths and talents while also helping them realize the many resources and assets available to them in the community.
This staff member will promote an atmosphere where all students feel safe and welcome at Compass, which is especially important since many of our students have faced bullying, discrimination, and other traumas. A successful Youth Engagement Coordinator will connect with, inspire, and empower young adults during a pivotal stage in their lives.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- Work with the student population to design, plan, and execute varied, stimulating, and engaging social activities including social events, field trips, and clubs. Develop potential “menu” of activities: arts and crafts, sports, board games, etc.
- Develop a Compass Youth Advisory Committee in order to bolster student leadership skills and increase youth voice. Wherever possible, promote student leadership and amplify youth voice.
- Get to know students and understand their needs and any barriers they may be facing. Assist students in setting goals. Provide supportive services that address student needs including ID obtainment, dress for success, opening bank accounts, touring partner organizations, etc.
- Maintain inter-agency and external agency communication, referring students to services and resources as needed. Partner with other local youth-serving organizations when appropriate.
- Stay in close communication with students; send Compass newsletter, share announcements and events, remind students of appointments, encourage them to come to Compass. Maintain and grow Compass’s social media presence.
- Encourage students to attend Compass; track student attendance. Call taxis to pick up students when needed.
- Help implement trauma informed and social-emotional learning best-practices at Compass. Promote mental health resources for students and connect them to mental health counselors/ navigators as possible.
- Promote a welcoming atmosphere at Compass and work on creative ways to make the physical space a place where students want to spend time. Grocery shop for snacks that can be available to students when they come into Compass.
- Deliver monthly and quarterly grant reports, sharing updates on students who are enrolled in the program.
- Work with the Compass Manager to create awareness of the Compass program in the community and identify productive avenues to support recruitment of future students.
- Work with Compass Manager to help students explore colleges, job training, and career opportunities. Bring students on field-trips to explore options.
- Teach students basic technology skills such as utilizing and managing email, online calendars, Microsoft suite, and GoogleDocs.
- Maintain internal database (CMS) as related to services.
- Attend and participate in departmental, organization-wide and other meetings.
- Act in the best interest of the organization, reflecting the values of teamwork, collaboration and mutual respect.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- Familiarity with local resources and public benefits
- Extensive experience with opportunity high school aged students and young adults. Able to connect with students and develop activities they might be interested in.
- Ability to pass a CORI and SORI check
- Intermediate level computer and social media skills. Comfortable with Microsoft Office and various social media platforms.
- Experience with grant reporting a plus.
Physical Demands: Must be able to lift, move and carry 10 lbs.