Youth Program Specialist

ABOUT HUNEEBEE PROJECT

Huneebee Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit social enterprise that promotes equitable job preparedness amongst our most resilient youth and environmental conservation in disinvested urban neighborhoods through bee hive installation, pollinator habitat restoration, and educational workshops. We believe beekeeping in itself is a therapeutic practice – one that requires awareness of your body in time and space, use of regulation strategies to maintain a calm presence in the midst of an open beehive, as well as reflective and honest discussions about fear, loss, courage, and hope. At Huneebee Project, these healing aspects of beekeeping are combined with social work support, professional development workshops, and creative outlets to empower our youth and young adults.

Huneebee Project involves youth ages 15-23 with past or present child protective and foster care involvement in job skills training and employment opportunities. Youth experience hands-on training on beekeeping practices and relevant job skills, while being supported in developing body and emotional awareness, regulation strategies, and mindfulness practices. Youth build, install, and maintain bee hives while also powering an online marketplace. Trainees and employees develop an increased capacity for relationship building, increased sense of self efficacy and empowerment, an understanding of the role of the honey bee in nature and the many benefits of pollinators, identified personal skills and interests, and a resume they feel proud of.

POSITION OVERVIEW (What we're looking for)

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Youth Program Specialist to join our team. In this part-time, hourly role, you will support the implementation of HBP’s core Beekeepers in Residence (BKIR) program, while also developing and overseeing a one-year workplace readiness internship to be launched in the fall of 2025.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Youth Program Specialist is a hybrid role, with onsite support of key programming in New Haven, as well as the opportunity to perform some duties remotely. The rate for this position is $23 per hour up to 10 hours per week through 2025, with additional hours likely to become available in the next fiscal year. Ultimately we are looking for someone who is interested in growing the role as we grow the organization!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES (What you’ll be doing)

Generally, a successful Youth Program Specialist will:

• Work collaboratively with other staff to provide a safe, secure, and trauma-informed environment for youth.
• Track and evaluate program outcomes and outputs and complete reports as requested
• Gather feedback from youth trainees and graduates to inform programming
• Assist with grant applications and program budgets, as requested
• Support special events, when hours allow.

In support of our workplace readiness Internship, the Youth Program Specialist will:

• Together with the Executive Director, design module-based workplace readiness curriculum for internship program, including career exploration, resume building, and job search strategies
• Recruit and support career panelist volunteers and guest workshop presenters
• Support youth intern onboarding and training (includes completing I9 & W2 + releases & liability waivers , helping to secure state IDs/necessary documentation and opening bank accounts as needed)
• Structure and supervise youth intern work shifts
• Provide professional development and coaching in group and 1:1 setting
• Build out a resource library of personal and professional supports, guides, and tools and provide referrals when appropriate
• Develop network and relationships with New Haven-based businesses and identify host sites for job shadows, externships, and other longer-term placements

In collaboration with our Beekeepers in Residence team, the Youth Program Specialist will:

• Manage BKIR program operations, including prepping workshop materials and session space (garden or office), ordering lunches, and coordinating with mentors to arrange transportation (occasionally filling in to provide transportation)
• Support BKIR Facilitator in delivering curriculum
• Serve as the main point of contact for youth, parents, and staff on program days
• Responsibly oversee mentorship expectations to ensure adherence to program policies and procedures
• Participate in weekly collaboration meetings with BKIR team to promote continuity of care and navigate logistical needs

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (What you'll need to bring along)

• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience in a related field
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in youth workforce development strongly desired
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and demonstrated ability to work equitably with adults and youth from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and lived experiences.
• A commitment to our values of humility, respect, and kinship
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Google Workspace
• Willingness to work Saturdays for the duration of the BKIR program (March-November)
• Capacity to work independently, take initiative, and execute tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive, pre-employment background check process

Beneficial, but not required:

• Previous experience or familiarity with Connecticut’s child protective and/or foster care system or an interest in learning more about these systems
• Experience in program design or planning, group facilitation, and community partnerships
• Interest or background nature-based therapies and/or outdoor education