Youth Development Coordinator
A position at Science Club for Girls
Science Club for Girls (www.scienceclubforgirls.org) seeks a team member who is highly motivated, passionate, responsible, energetic, resourceful, creative and goal-oriented to be our next Youth Development Coordinator.
Hours: Part-time
Science Club for Girls (www.scienceclubforgirls.org) seeks a team member who is highly motivated, passionate, responsible, energetic, resourceful, creative and goal-oriented to be our next Youth Development Coordinator. Our strategic goal in this and the coming years is to grow and strengthen our youth program, so this is an exciting time to join us and craft the program! The Youth Development Coordinator will work closely with an alumna of SCFG who recently joined our board to facilitate the creation of our Youth Council. This position will evolve into 35-hours per week next summer, with the possibility of becoming full-time in Fall 09.
Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
General
• Attend all mandatory staff and team meetings
• Coordinate the youth program team to ensure activities reflect best practices in youth development
• Assist volunteer leaders of the Rocket Team as necessary
• Recruit Cambridge youth to participate in the various programs
• Conduct recruiting interviews with potential and returning youth
• Develop, review, compile and analyze self-assessment for youth and other forms of evaluation for youth programs
• Provide oversight and support for clubs at least 3 afternoons a week.
Leadership & Enrichment-related
• Coach JAs in leading science activities
• Design and implement curriculum on leadership and life skills in the context of gender, race and class as appropriate
• Build partnerships with CBOs, companies and other institutions to enhance program offerings
• Coordinate and brief guest speakers and field trip host sites
• Coordinate other enrichment opportunities such as overnight trips for youth from multiple sites
• Coach youth to present at public events
Youth Council-related
• Plan, organize and facilitate 2-3 youth focus groups in preparation for establishing the Youth Council.
• Direct youth in formulating the mission, goals and responsibilities of the Youth Council.
• Assist the Youth Council in planning for an all-site retreat
Summer program-related
• Create a summer enrichment/internship resource guide for youth
• Assist youth in preparing applications and interviewing for internships
• Establishing new and existing partnerships with CBO- and school-based day camps
• Compiling or researching a science curriculum for partner camp participants in elementary grades
• Coaching and supervising Summer Peer Mentors to test curriculum and lead activities
• Arranging field trips for Peer Mentors
Qualifications
• BS or BA in education, science or human development preferred
• At least two years experience working with urban teens
• Ability to communicate clearly, both in verbal and written forms
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and evaluate multiple programs and projects
• Sense of humor
• Understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and social development of urban teenage girls
• Familiarity with asset based model of youth development
• Demonstrated interest in and respect for youth leadership and youth culture
• Demonstrated ability to build supportive relationships with youth
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, web media and other commonly used software
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as necessary
Preferred qualifications
• Experience with informal science education
• Familiarity with Cambridge public schools and community organizations
• Familiarity with new media as communication tools
• Fluency in Spanish
• Access to a car
Job Details
This position is AA/EOE. Women and minority applicants especially encouraged to apply.
Job Location: Cambridge, MA 02139
Starting Salary: $18-22/hr; based on experience
Start Date: ASAP
Hours/Week: 25-30; some weekends and evenings required
Benefits Include: Health insurance, paid vacation, sick days and employee-contributed 403(b) retirement plan. Professional development opportunities reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Application
Please email resume, cover letter and a list of three references to: scfg@scienceclubforgirls.org. Subject line: Youth Development Coordinator.
Inquiries can be sent to the same email address. No phone calls please. Only selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
About Us
Science Club for Girls (www.scienceclubforgirls.org) is a Cambridge-based nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the science literacy and self-confidence of youth from groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. We provide free programs in experiential learning where girls work with mentor-scientists who model and foster leadership, affirm college as an expectation, and promote careers in science and technology as goals and options.
Science Clubs consists of groups of 6-10 girls in grades K-7. 8-12th grade girls are enrolled in a variety of youth programs. Over 50 Junior Assistants gain job and leadership skills as they work as peer mentors alongside volunteer adult mentor-scientists to manage science clubs and lead activities. JAs attend field trips to explore careers in and applications of science and engineering; and hone leadership and life skills through workshops and guest speakers. JAs receive a stipend. Other youth programs during the school year include the Media Team of 6 members; and a Rocket Team of ~12 members that meets at MIT on Saturdays. The Summer Peer Mentor Program trains 10-15 youth in leading activities for young camp participants.
