Youth Development Instructor (Contractor)
Under the direction of the Youth Services Manager, the Youth Development Instructor (YDI) facilitates and delivers contextualized curriculum, which allows participants to develop necessary life skills, explore their abilities, career options, and prepare for employment. This methodology provides an early start at job exploration for students with disabilities to assist with transitioning from school to postsecondary education or employment. Work involves self-sufficiency training and educational programs. Instructors provide participants with dynamic, interactive learning opportunities in groups, classrooms, and individual settings. Using strength-based approaches with a trauma-informed lens, instructors are primarily responsible for teaching participants work related skills that will poise them to acquire and sustain a career-oriented job. Collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team, consisting of a Program Designee, Case Managers, and Administrative Staff. This position is set up as a 6-month employment with instructional time that is parallel with traditional school hours. Work is evaluated through the Performance Management Evaluation System. Performs other tasks as requested.
Work Locations: Shreveport or St Tammany Parish
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, social work, or other related field.
At least 1 year of career development, youth development, social services, or teaching experience.
Experience in managing student behavior in the classroom by established and enforced protocol, rules, and procedures of classroom management.
Experience in educational instructional design to plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
Experience in the classroom preparation for class activities.
Experience in preparing summary reports of students’ progress and development.
Experience in effectively maintaining confidential records, such as clients, customers,
Experience in Microsoft Office Suite and Windows based computer applications.
Experience in Customer Service that presents a positive, empathetic, and a professional attitude toward customers at all times.
Experience working with a variety of populations, including at-risk youth, and individuals with disabilities.
Pay and Perks
$24/hr
Flexible work schedules (between 7:30am-4:30pm)
Opportunity to work with a progressive and innovative leadership team.
Opportunity for potential full time team member
Use of company issued laptop
Duties and Responsibilities
Establish and maintain safe and engaging learning environments, where students are provided with a balance of support and structure.
Based on existing contextualized curriculum, prepare lesson plans by adapting those already created with engaging activities and exercises that inspire students to acquire knowledge and skills they can transfer to employment settings.
Monitor barriers to students' active participation and engagement in the program, including those related to complex issues in their physical or social environment.
Monitor and report students’ attendance benchmarks and progress through a participant observation tool. Report any individual student issues to Program Designee on a weekly basis.
Follow established policies and procedures for maintaining the integrity of the program with quality instruction, student discipline, classroom maintenance, safety, behavior management and the security of all individuals and supplies at their disposal.
Work collaboratively with management and administrative staff to set relevant and measurable goals for student achievement.
Adapt teaching style and strategies to maximize student learning and retention.
Provide students with professional one-on-one feedback regarding their performance in the program.
Attends all relevant meetings, supervision, staff meetings, case conference sessions, curriculum development, trainings, workshops, and any other informational engagements necessary to effectively perform job duties.
Maintain classroom documentation based on assignments from contextualized curriculum and enter data appropriately and accurately, as necessary. This includes but is not limited to goals and career assessments, resume’ worksheets, and cover letters.
Accurately complete and submit monthly reports and attendance sheets to Program Designee by the last class day of each month.
Apply strength-based approaches with a trauma-informed lens to counsel participants in academic, vocational, and employment issues. Mediate, problem-solve, and coordinate individual services for clients to help them overcome employment barriers.
Instruct participants in job seeking, application procedures, resume writing, interview preparation, and job retention skills.
Update all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws, school district policies and regulations.
Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
Participate in extracurricular activities such as program incentives to simulate student engagement and development.
Skills and Competencies
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Ability to communicate effectively and receive orally and in writing instructions.
Knowledge and implementation of relevant technology.
Demonstrate the skill in working with students from diverse cultures, economics, and backgrounds.
Ability to observe and evaluate student's performance and development.
Strong creative skills that will engage students and make learning enjoyable.
Strong dedication to their work with a great desire for the success of their students.
Ability to develop lesson plans, organize academic activities, and maintain an organized class.
Strong emotional control skills when managing sensitive issues.
A keen eye to monitor their students’ progress and note changes in behaviors or attitudes.
Ability to lead and build a positive bond with students, parents, colleagues, and other staff members.
Critical thinking skills with the ability to answer subjective questions and solve conflicts.
Independent, creative, initiative-taker who exhibits good constructive judgment.
Must have reliable transportation.
Physical and Mental
School assignment travel required.
Regularly required to sit, prolonged standing, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, and other office equipment.
Work in a classroom environment engaging with multiple personality types in conjunction with cultural differences and learning styles.
Work with a variety of populations, including at-risk youth and adults, and individuals with disabilities.
Be Open to Off-Topic Conversations at proper times for discussion and building a rapport with students (ex. Politics, Current Events, Life)
Job Type
Contract: July 2026- End of school year
Pay: $26/hr
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Experiene:
Life skills teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
Teaching: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
Driver's License (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
