Youth Development Coordinator

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Solar Youth provides support and opportunities for youth in urban areas to succeed through our “Cycle of Stewardship”. In this cycle, through developmental relationships with caring adults, young people progressively build upon their experiences, gain critical developmental assets and serve as stewards of their communities. This cycle contains a menu of PROGRAMS; PRESENCE; and PARTNERS.

In our “Cycle of Stewardship”, youth begin in our Citycology program for ages 4 to 6, taught by interns and Educators. After-school and all-day in the summer, youth learn concepts such as the water cycle, habitats, and the anatomy of plants. They also go on outdoor adventures and perform their first Community Service Action Projects (C-SAPs) and Public Education Projects (PEPs). Citycology is followed by our Stewards program for ages 7-10. Stewards learn more complex environmental concepts, and participate in camping trips and more sophisticated C-SAPs. All of our programs incorporate our 5 Core Elements: Environmental Exploration, Youth-Led Problem Solving, Mindfulness, Nonviolent Communication, and Youth Leadership. Our Core Elements are vital in empowering youth towards lifelong success, as they learn how to connect to their environment, their community, and themselves in healthy and active ways.

Leaders in Training (LITs) is a program for youth ages 11 to 14 that focuses on communication, problem-solving, and project management in a more intensive way. Youth earn a performance stipend based on their accomplishments and go on multi-day outdoor adventures. After graduating from LIT, they are poised to become full-fledged paid interns as teenagers.

High School students can also serve as Youth Educator Interns or Green Jobs Apprentice. YEI’s, co-lead steward programs with adult staff in a youth-adult partnership that challenges the interns to develop new skills and be positive role models. Youth Educators serve as teachers for younger children as they lead hands-on. Green Jobs Apprentices learn concrete skills to act as environmental stewards by helping make their city a healthier and more beautiful place (community service projects). In addition, gain employability skills, professional development, social & emotional learning skills. YEI’s and GJ Apprentices earn a performance stipend.

THE POSITION

We are looking for someone with a passion for youth development who has the skills and personality to effectively serve young people facing major life challenges. Coordinators must be enthusiastic, positive, independent people who are driven to support the success of young people and create positive change. Staff must be creative problem solvers, see a setback as a challenge, and love working with youth and teenagers.

60% of time allocated

The Youth Development Coordinator main role will be the lead program educator planning and implementing our steward (4-14) after-school program. During the school year (Sept-June) the afterschool generally runs 3-6pm; 4 days a week and during the summer (July-August; generally 5 weeks) 9am-3pm.

40% of time allocated

The Youth Development Coordinator secondary role will be to work in collaboration with site coordinators and community partners; recruit youth (ages 14-18) and lead engaging, enriching experiences for young people and the challenges they face. They will organize weekly professional development opportunities that enrich their leadership, facilitation, personal goal setting, and employability skills.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

• COORDINATE daily program for stewards
• SUPPORT youth in the design and implementation of Community Service Action Projects
• DEMONSTRATE AND LEAD youth on important employability skills (professionalism, punctuality, time management, excellence etc.)
• SERVE as motivator, mentor and supervisor for youth
• LEAD youth in outdoor recreational activities, team building initiatives, and leadership development
• PLAN, DEVELOP, AND LEAD engaging and empowering educational lessons, activities, and projects
• DEVELOP and MAINTAIN community partnerships, resources, funding, and opportunities for teens
• DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, and RECORD, REVIEW program content, curriculum, and data

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

• ENTHUSIASM about the Mission of Solar Youth: energetic about advocating for and supporting youth, particularly Black youth, through high-quality programs, and excited about being a representative of Solar Youth to the community.
• EXPERIENCE working with inner city and low income youth
• SELF-MOTIVATION, flexibility, and patience
• Ability to MOTIVATE urban teenagers and serve as positive role model
• EXPERIENCE in professional landscaping, gardening, and/or urban forestry or farming
• OPENNESS nonviolent communication; prior experience preferred
• PROBLEM SOLVING skills and INITIATIVE
• ADMINISTRATION, ORGANIZATION, and TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE
• 21+ years of age with a clean driving record

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

START DATE: 9/23

LOCATION: (IN-PERSON) New Haven, CT

PAY: Full time salary range $38,000 - $45,000. Part time range is $22-$27 per hour

HOURS: Full-time (37.5-40 hours) The general schedule for program educators during the school year is 10am - 6pm, Monday - Friday. During school vacations we typically lead full day programs Feb and April. During the summer hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday; 5-7 weeks. Some weekends trips throughout the year. OR Part-time exempt (during the school year up to 20-25 hours per week // full time in the summer 37.5 hours; 5-7 weeks)

Candidates can expect a phone call, zoom, and/or in-person interview.

Bilingual a plus but not required.

Solar Youth offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, long-term disability, and dental (after one year of employment).

TO APPLY: go to THIS JOB APPLICATION FORM. You will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter (a one page description of how your values drive your work and why your experiences are a fit for the role).

Please note that we are a small organization and aim to respond to all candidates, but due to the volume of responses may not be able to in a timely manner. If you follow the above directions, you should get an automated email response confirming receipt of your application. If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will be contacted by us directly. NO CALLS PLEASE.

ABOUT SOLAR YOUTH SOLAR YOUTH, INC. is a New Haven-based non-profit, youth development and environmental education organization. Our mission is to empower youth from New Haven’s low income neighborhoods to achieve lifelong success – and nothing less! Through programs that connect youth to the environment, their communities and each other, youth build the skills and motivations necessary to be positive contributors to their community, have healthy relationships, be physically and mentally healthy, and become economically self-sufficient. Solar Youth’s four core program elements are ENVIRONMENTAL EXPLORATION, YOUTH-LED PROBLEM SOLVING, NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION and MINDFULNESS PRACTICE. See solaryouth.org/who-we-are.

Solar Youth is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.