Membership and Academic Specialist
About The Position
El Puente is seeking a thoughtful, relationship-centered Membership and Academic Specialist who will play a key role in cultivating a strong, engaged, and connected membership base of high school youth. This role is for someone who believes deeply in young people and understands that engagement is built through trust, consistency, and meaningful relationships. The Membership and Academic Specialist will help create a space where youth feel seen, valued, and motivated to actively participate in a community rooted in leadership, social justice, and collective growth. Working closely with the Program Director and site team, this role will strengthen how we recruit, onboard, engage, and retain members, while ensuring that the Membership Model is lived out daily in a way that reflects El Puente’s mission and values. Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered human rights organization rooted in Brooklyn and Puerto Rico, using education, culture, and community organizing to inspire leadership for peace and justice. Through our Leadership Centers, El Puente creates spaces where young people are not only participants, but leaders by shaping their communities, building critical consciousness, and engaging in social justice and civic life. Our work is deeply relational, grounded in trust, accountability, and a belief in the brilliance and potential of every young person we serve. The Membership and Academic Specialist plays a central role in shaping the day-to-day membership experience at the Bushwick Leadership Center. This role focuses on building strong relationships with youth while supporting their ongoing engagement, participation, and connection to the program.This position requires someone who can move fluidly between 1:1 relationship-building, group facilitation, and community engagement, while centering high school youth voice, identity, and lived experience. The Membership and Academic Specialist will also support the implementation and strengthening of membership systems, including recruitment, onboarding, attendance tracking, retention strategies, and member engagement while also helping youth explore college and career readiness opportunities.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree or at least 2 years of relevant college coursework
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in youth development with high school youth and young adults, community-based work, or related field
- Knowledge of college access resources and career readiness opportunities
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to holistic youth growth by supporting members’ social, emotional, artistic, and leadership development through intentional programming and consistent mentorship.
- Fluency in Spanish required (written and verbal), given the needs of the community served
- Strong relationship-building and facilitation skills, specifically with high school-aged youth
- Familiarity with or commitment to social justice, civic engagement, and community organizing
- Strong communication, organization, and follow-through
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities
- Assist leadership staff with the development and implementation of a Membership Process at the Bushwick Leadership Center
- Build and maintain strong, consistent relationships with youth through 1:1 check-ins and group engagement
- Foster a space of learning, supporting youth academic needs as necessary
- Create and facilitate a Welcoming Period for Spanish speaking newcomers
- Support the development and tracking of effective member outcomes by contributing to evaluation processes, reflecting on program impact, and ensuring alignment with El Puente’s mission and membership benchmarks.
- Facilitate community-building spaces, leadership development activities, and membership circles
- Support youth participation in social justice and civic engagement activities, including organizing efforts, community events, and service learning
- Collaborate with staff to strengthen membership strategies and culture, ensuring youth feel connected and supported
- Develop and support recruitment efforts and represent El Puente in the community
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and organizational initiatives as needed
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
