Youth Development Specialist
About Sociedad Latina
Since 1968, Sociedad Latina has worked in partnership with Latine youth and families to end destructive cycles of poverty, health disparities, and lack of opportunity in our community. Through our Pathways to Success model, we pioneer new and innovative solutions to the most pressing issues facing Latine youth today, supporting positive youth development from ages 14-21, creating a community that supports young people and training all youth to advocate for themselves and their communities. Our comprehensive, intensive array of programming builds skills in the following areas: Education, Workforce Development, Civic Engagement, STEM and Arts & Culture. Sociedad Latina’s youth programming offers young people a safe, nurturing environment that focuses on social-emotional skill development, builds positive relationships with caring adults and promotes a positive cultural identity with the goal of supporting youth to grow into confident, competent, self-sustaining adults who are proud of their culture and language.
Youth Development Specialist - College and Career Pathways Job Summary
Sociedad Latina is seeking a dynamic Youth Development Specialist with experience supporting urban youth of color, including high school students, high school graduates, and college undergraduates, along their academic and career pathways. This role will coordinate our college and career programming, working with youth currently enrolled in our after-school program as well as program alumni, and should bring experience across post-secondary pathways including higher education, workforce entry, and other career sectors.
Our College Access program provides high school Youth Leaders with academic support and tutoring to ensure on-time grade promotion and successful completion of their high school diploma or equivalent. Our Career Readiness program equips high school Youth Leaders with work readiness workshops, hands-on training, and individualized support for off-site internships. Our Post-Secondary Success program supports high school youth as they transition from high school into college or a career of their choosing. Youth Leader alumni continue to receive college and career mentoring for one year after high school graduation, including support during gap-year experiences.
Experience and Qualifications
● Minimum one year experience working with youth in grades 9-12
● Experience with college and career readiness (i.e. Financial Literacy, Financial Aid/FAFSA/MAFSA, College and Career Application process)
● Experience working with ethnically, racially, and linguistically-diverse youth of color in an urban setting ● Use the five “C’s” of positive youth development (Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring) ● Proven ability to anticipate and identify challenges and develop solutions
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team
● Ability to be flexible and adaptable
● Experience with facilitating programming and/or providing 1:1 support or mentorship to youth
● Supervisory experience preferred
● Bilingual English/Spanish Required
Responsibilities
● Coordinate and facilitate daily activities/workshops as needed to provide academic support including but not limited to check-ins and tutoring for all high school Youth Leaders with an emphasis on Executive Functioning skill-building, program engagement, on-time grade promotion, and retention of youth participants
● Develop, adapt, and facilitate college and career readiness workshops for Sociedad Latina’s Youth Leaders in collaboration with the College and Career Pathways departmental team (including but not limited to financial literacy workshops, FAFSA/MAFSA, resume writing, and more).
● Coordinate College tours for all high school Youth Leaders including both in-person and remote opportunities and provide individualized support with the college application and financial aid process (including but not limited to scholarship research, application, and FAFSA/MAFSA support etc).
● Coordinate Career Panels throughout the school-year session with the direction provided by the College and Career Pathways Manager for all high school Youth Leaders
● As part of the College and Career Pathways team, provide individualized support with the youths’ and alumni’s internship application process (including but not limited to compiling and sharing internship opportunities with the Youth Leaders and alumni).
● Build positive relationships with youth and provide regular constructive feedback opportunities for growth as needed
● Able to support and facilitate Sociedad Latina’s ¿Quien Soy Yo? (Who Am I?) culturally-responsive curriculum to youth as needed.
● Schedule and facilitate bi-monthly 1:1 post-secondary check-ins with Alumni upon high school graduation for one year. ● Support with recruitment of youth for all Sociedad Latina’s programs, including on-site school recruitment and through community partners
● Recruit and supervise consultants, volunteers, fellows and college work study students, including regular check-in meetings and providing professional development to lead tutoring supports, college essays, mock interviews and more. ● Facilitate positive communication and build relationships between Sociedad Latina and parents/guardians of program participants including hosting in-person and remote opportunities for involvement
● Maintain positive school and community partnerships, including regular communication and co-hosted activities ● Responsible for data collection, grant reporting, and evaluation, including using organization-wide Apricot 360 Database ● Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your direct supervisor
● All Sociedad Latina job descriptions are subject to change as requested and approved by the Executive Director. ● Reports to the College and Career Pathways Manager.
Salary and Benefits:
● Full Time - 40 Hour Position; Monday-Thursday 11-7, Fridays 9-5 (occasional Saturdays for events) ● Starting salary is $40-44k; if candidate speaks fluent Spanish an additional 1k will be added to the starting salary; if candidate brings broad exposure to Latine/Afro-Latinne culture developed through lived experience and/or work experience an additional $1,000 will be added to the starting salary; an additional $500 to starting salary if candidate brings relevant experience but not required Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
● $500 sign on bonus provided at 6 months and $500 upon completion of year 1, depending on positive performance review. ● Sociedad Latina offers a competitive benefits package, including one month paid sabbatical after five years, annual anniversary bonus, holiday, vacation, personal, and sick paid time off, health insurance, and an optional retirement and flexible spending plans.
To Apply
Email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references including one from a former supervisor within the last 1-2 years to hiring@sociedadlatina.org
Sociedad Latina is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services.
Please contact us at hiring@sociedadlatina.org if you would like to request special accommodations during the interview process.