Youth Council Coordinator

Mikva Challenge•Chicago, IL

18d•$50,000 - $50,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mikva Challenge is seeking a Youth Council Coordinator who is passionate about youth civic leadership to join our team. The Youth Council Coordinator supports Mikva Challenge’s Citywide Youth Councils (CYC) and Youth Organizing Academy (YOA). Our Citywide Youth Councils strengthen youth voice and leadership in our local schools, city government and local elections. Through our youth-led civic learning model, young people engage in deep reflection, community mapping, participatory primary research of their peers, research and root cause analysis, and strategy development to develop youth-led policy recommendations, hold youth forums and/or advocate for youth priorities to key local decision-makers. The councils also serve as a mechanism for a broader base of Chicago youth to have input on key city policy decisions that affect them. The Youth Organizing Academy is our civic workforce development program, training the next generation of organizers for employment with community organizations, labor unions, policy organizations, and political campaigns. YOA cultivates relationships with hiring partners to support youth placements. The Youth Council Coordinator provides both administrative and programmatic support across these initiatives across Chicago. The Coordinator maintains program logistics and documentation for the assigned councils, including attendance tracking, case notes, leadership development, evaluations, social media updates, and other related data entry. The Coordinator also co-facilitates Council meetings, and coordinates students' research and work sessions outside of the weekly meetings.

Requirements

High school degree or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
One to three years of experience in youth programming, advocacy, government, or teaching required.
Experienced user of Google Workspaces, Zoom, social media platforms, and Microsoft Office products (Excel and Word)
Willingness to learn and a growth mindset
Ability to independently research a topic or issue
Knowledge of Positive Youth Development strategies and values
Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools’ and charter systems
Strong public speaking and workshop facilitation skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
High energy and a willingness to be flexible and creative
Ability to engage, manage and cultivate relationships with diverse stakeholders with a varied range of perspectives
Adept at working both independently and as part of a team

Nice To Haves

Experience organizing and leading student fields trips
Experience facilitating both virtual and in-person youth programming
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic, and language diversity preferred

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain program logistics and documentation for the assigned councils, regarding member attendance, case notes for member interactions, leadership development, evaluations, social media updates, and other related data entry
Take the lead with logistics and coordination for in person sessions, including ensuring program supplies, student travel and food
Implement programming for the off-hours research students will engage in throughout the school year
Help ensure consistent communication with youth, parents and guardians regarding participation, programming and related matters
Organize recruitment and student interview efforts, including setting timeline and schedule for youth recruitment and hiring throughout the year
Lead CYC youth onboarding in partnership with Operations
Co-facilitate weekly sessions for the councils with the Council Managers
Lead CYC office hours and facilitate goal setting chick-ins with all youth participants
Research and stay abreast of community events for the council to engage in
Assist with communication between youth, partners/service providers, and/or parents for the purpose of evaluating situations, solving problems and/or resolving conflicts as needed
Help youth design effective surveys, analyze survey results, and utilize research in powerful ways to further youth interests and goals in partnership with the Director of Data and Evaluation and Council ManagersI
Assist other programs and departments as needed with campaign trips and special events, including organizational fundraisers
Collaborate with the staff as needed to better support youth
Perform other duties as assigned.