Service Learning Specialist (Part-time - Jamaica, Queens)

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC•New York, NY

5d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Service Learning Specialist develops and facilitates meaningful experiences that connect high school youth with their communities through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership development. The role designs projects combining community service with reflection, skill-building, and youth voice, helping participants understand civic responsibility and build leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The specialist cultivates partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, government agencies, and local stakeholders to create engaging service opportunities that address community needs. The position fosters a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment that supports youth’s social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being. The specialist implements professionally developed curricula, supports youth with IEPs or medical conditions in accordance with their plans, responds appropriately to time-sensitive mental health needs, and provides referrals to mental health services as needed. The role also involves collaborating with program and school staff, building positive relationships with youth and caretakers, communicating with caretakers, and attending meetings as needed. The position is part-time at the Edward Byrne Center in Queens, New York. Staff must attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins, complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training, and attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year. The specialist reports to the Teen Supervisor and is supported by the Youthlink Director.

Requirements

Minimum of two years of experience working with high school-aged youth in youth development, education, volunteer management, community engagement, civic education, or service-learning programs.
Experience planning and coordinating volunteer projects, community service initiatives, or civic engagement activities with youth.
Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Open to learning and growing.
All staff are expected to learn mental health, social-emotional learning, and special-needs inclusion skills and integrate them into programming.
Ability to attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
Ability to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services, Youth Development, Public Administration, Community Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field; college coursework in these subjects will also be considered.
Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese.

Responsibilities

Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate service-learning projects, volunteer opportunities, and civic engagement activities that promote leadership, community involvement, and positive youth development.
Implement professionally developed curricula.
Develop and maintain partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and community stakeholders to identify meaningful service opportunities and coordinate youth participation.
Facilitate reflection activities before, during, and after service experiences; monitor participant engagement and outcomes; maintain required documentation; and ensure service activities are safe and aligned with program goals.
Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions and follow support plans to help students with special needs thrive.
Respond appropriately to time-sensitive mental health needs, such as suicide prevention and grief or loss due to a family member’s death or incarceration, and provide referrals to appropriate mental health services as needed.
Work cooperatively with Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and other program and school staff.
Build positive relationships with youth and caretakers and serve as a role model in demeanor, communication, and behavior.
Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed.
Interact with caretakers and maintain open lines of communication.
Attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
Attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.