Youth Development Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

Youth Represent is seeking a full-time Youth Development Coordinator with 2-5 years of experience working directly with system-involved young people and who can support them developing the skills and experience to be powerful advocates.

Youth Represent is a youth defense and advocacy non-profit serving New York City youth up to age 26. To live true to our values, we provide comprehensive legal representation, community support, education, and policy advocacy for and with our clients and broader community network throughout NYC.

The Youth Development Coordinator will play a key role creating pathways for youth voice and leadership at Youth Represent. The Coordinator will help young people build their advocacy, organizing, and civic participation skills; support young people’s involvement in our programs and campaigns; and connect them to opportunities that align with their goals and interests. The Coordinator will also help cultivate partnerships with community based organizations, government agencies, and schools to expand access and impact. Most importantly, you will serve youth participants as a facilitator, mentor, and guide throughout their involvement with YR and as part of our youth justice campaigns.

The Youth Development Coordinator position is part of the Policy Team, reporting to the Director of Policy and closely collaborating with the Campaign Organizer and Policy Associate.

The role is based in New York City with some statewide travel required. Candidates must be available to work some evenings and weekends. We strongly encourage people with lived experience in the criminal legal system to apply– especially those impacted as teens or young adults.

The person who will succeed in this role is truly committed to centering young people whose lives have intersected with the legal system as valued, respected, and credible decision-makers and contributors to policy reform campaigns. The ideal candidate will have experience working with older youth and young adults, particularly in the areas of youth leadership development, education, and advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate Youth Development Activities for Youth Represent Clients and Participants

• Co-lead efforts to incorporate youth development into all areas of YR’s work, including direct legal services and strategic litigation as well as policy and organizing.
• Develop and improve systems and processes for young people to shape the direction of the organization’s youth-driven mission statement.
• Support YR clients and participants identifying and pursuing youth development goals, including through 1:1 meetings, regular check-ins, coordinating workshops and presentations, and referrals.
• Support YR’s partnership model by deepening relationships with existing partners and engaging new partner organizations.
• Support youth leaders and participants in the Youth Committee by promoting their leadership in events, campaign messaging, activities, and lobby days for the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act and other campaigns.
• Provide administrative and fundraising support to program, campaign and policy work as needed.

Manage & Facilitate Youth Programming

• Oversee youth development programming at YR including recruiting young people, developing and updating curriculum, leading sessions, identifying guest speakers, and managing logistics.
• Update and develop advocacy training programs in collaboration with the policy team, ensuring that current campaigns are integrated into our youth development programs.
• Onboard, train, and provide strengths-based support to graduates of YR programs to serve as speakers and co-facilitators in future programs.
• Partner with organizations to connect program graduates to advocacy campaigns in youth justice and/or other opportunities, including employment/career opportunities.
• Partner with the legal team to promote youth programs among clients and partnership sites and to connect participants and alumni with legal support when needed.
• Continue to support program graduates through 1:1 check-ins, referrals, and connections to partner campaigns, organizations and opportunities.

PRIOR EXPERIENCES & KNOWLEDGE

We know you may not have all of the skills listed below– you are still encouraged to apply!

• 2-5 years of experience in youth development or youth programming work in formal or informal settings (e.g., mentorship, direct advocacy, or youth program management).
• Ability to stay organized, manage logistics, meet deadlines and work both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation and relationship-building skills, including comfort managing and de-escalating conflict. Experience managing and facilitating large groups is preferred.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices, strengths-based approaches and conflict resolution through a restorative justice lens.
• Ability to network and connect with other youth centered organizations, alternative to incarceration programs and violence prevention programs.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate curricula for programs that meet the needs of youth participants.

WORKING REQUIREMENTS

Employees are expected to work in-person at our lower Manhattan office at least three times a week, and to attend additional in person events around the City during the work week. Some travel is required and candidates must be available to work some evenings and weekends.

Candidates must reside in New York City or the surrounding area.