POSITION TITLE: Youth Advocacy Coordinator
REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Youth Action Center
DIRECT REPORTS: None
FLSA STANDARD: Exempt, Full-time - Regular
COMPENSATION: ($48,000 - $50,000 Annually) Based on Experience
POSITION SUMMARY
The Youth Advocacy Coordinator oversees the successful implementation of the Shelby County Youth Council (SCYC) in alignment with Youth Action Center (YAC) youth-and-adult partnership best practices.
SCYC is a platform for youth to have a voice in Shelby County Government and consists of approximately 30 youth, with members recruited from all Shelby County districts. The Youth Engagement Coordinator leads recruitment efforts, student selection, and weekly meetings for youth council members, as well as helps to build general awareness of the SCYC. The Youth Engagement Coordinator manages logistics and coordinates onboarding, training, and workshop facilitation for new YAC community partners. This position depends on continued funding.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Recruit, facilitate, and supervise approximately 30 SCYC high school students one evening per week from September through May.
Plan and coordinate logistics, and implement general outreach to ensure the success of the SCYC’s priorities, including, but not limited to, a training weekend for the SCYC and the Shelby County Youth Summit, a large-scale event held in the Spring.
Identify and coordinate resources that provide students with issue-specific opportunities, ideas, research, and access to local leaders.
Plan, communicate, delegate, and supervise tasks effectively for university interns and student interns who support program deliverables for the SCYC.
Hold regular check-ins with youth participants and parents/guardians to maintain high levels of engagement and participation.
Build strong relationships across the Shelby County Government Office of Community Service and County Commissioners to ensure SCYC’s ability to advocate effectively to their county commissioners.
Attend regularly scheduled county commissioner meetings and stay up to date on the local government.
Report back to the Shelby County Commission annually through a written report and a commissioner meeting presentation on the successes and impact of the Shelby County Youth Council.
Immediately report to the immediate supervisor staff or youth behavior issues.
Track and maintain accurate records of youth and participants’ weekly attendance and training.
Complete student assessments consistent with BRIDGES’ established practices and policies.
Assist with planning, promotion, logistics, coordination, and reporting of Shelby County Youth Council through Cross Youth Leadership opportunities at BRIDGES..
Participate in all BRIDGES programming, activities, events, and fundraising efforts; represent BRIDGES or speak to groups on behalf of BRIDGES at events, conferences, meetings, public forums.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree and three years of directly related experience; in lieu of an associate degree, candidate must have five years or more of directly related experience
Three or more years of experience planning, coordinating, facilitating, and monitoring a youth development program
Three years of project or event management experience
Ability to research and gather information to identify program resources; some experience assisting in the evaluation of youth development or social impact systems
Proficient verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Good knowledge of experiential education, adventure-based education, or adolescent development
Work collaboratively with BRIDGES’ programming staff to achieve annual goals and stated program outcomes, including ensuring validity and reliability of evaluation across multiple forms
Must be proficient using MS Office and Google Suites applications
REQUIRED BEHAVIORS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Must possess a genuine interest, knowledge, and passion for working with diverse youth and adults
Commitment to youth-led social change and conviction that as leaders’ youth can contribute meaningfully to their community
Detail-oriented with the ability to take initiative and multi-task while maintaining high-quality accountability measurements and documentation of all program activities
Lifelong learner who seeks to expand their base of knowledge
Strength in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with BRIDGES participants, parents, staff, volunteers, service members, community partners, and other stakeholders
Ability to be flexible and problem solve in high-stress situations
Strive to maintain an atmosphere among staff, volunteers, service members, and youth participants consistent with BRIDGES core values
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed under general supervision of the Senior Director of Youth Action Center.
Work hours are generally 10:00 am - 6:00 pm daily and Wednesdays from 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm to work directly with students. This role may require additional evenings and weekends as needed.
Work is performed at BRIDGES Center and other locations approved by the Senior Director of Youth Action Center and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships.
Successful candidate must have dependable transportation to travel to and from required meetings and events
In compliance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
BRIDGES strives for a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We encourage qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans.
