Youth Education and Prevention Educator

YWCA Tri-County Area•Pottstown, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

YW3CA is seeking a collaborative and motivated Educator to lead youth- and family-focused direct-service programming and events while also supporting administrative communications, budgetary and fiscal program needs. The ideal candidate understands the importance of promoting holistic-focused education and learning with both youth and caregivers, with a keen focus on growing both social emotional and topic-focused curiosity for participants. Using strong communication skills, effective organizational skills and engaging, energetic delivery, YEP Educators guide programming with a focus on growing the number of students enrolled and connected to YW YEP offerings. Fostering professional growth and teamwork, YEP Educators will partner with YEP Lead Educators to meet all needs of participants. Ensuring high-quality program delivery while remaining flexible to the evolving grant deliverables and needs is essential. This role balances strong interpersonal skills, steady external communication with youth and caregivers as well as internal communications with YEP team members. A hands-on commitment to direct service, modeling best practices in youth engagement and education across multiple segments is imperative. The ideal candidate for this role is an individual who has a passion and understanding of best practices in prevention and social emotional learning for youth.

Requirements

A commitment to inspiring curiosity and a love of learning by bringing energy, joy, and meaningful connection to every interaction with youth and caregivers.
Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on solution-based, team-, program- and YW initiatives advancement.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Understanding of YWCA’s mission, goals, and objectives and ability to work independently with a high level of energy and contribute as a part of a larger team.
Outstanding oral, written and computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, families, and members of the community.
A desire to navigate and learn the community online footprint as well as, network and connect with community partners in relation to opportunities to bolster and advance positive experiences for youth.
A positive attitude and excitement to work directly with youth.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and deliver under pressure.
Growth mindset oriented with a positive focus on learning new skills that at times prove challenging.
Ability to identify/redirect inappropriate behaviors and react tactfully with YEP team members and YEP participants while enforcing regulations firmly and impartially.
Knowledge of basic classroom management procedures.
Willingness to be flexible as necessary to support a variety of YW3CA.
Ability to work with parents and families in the community.
Understanding of diverse family dynamics and cultural differences with the ability to work with and empower participants.
Knowledge and sensitivity to issues facing the community served.
The ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels.
The ability to kneel, bend, squat or crawl and stand for periods of time in both indoor and outdoor environments
A specific vision ability including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.
The ability to lift 50 pounds.
The ability to sit on the floor and/or ground outside to be actively involved with the children.
Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences, seminars, and meetings.
May require working non-traditional hours based on operational needs.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
1-2 years’ experience related to youth development and programming facilitation.
Microsoft office suite experience required.
Must pass background checks required by the YW’s Early Education Center license and the local public-school districts hosting YEP programs.
Current Health Assessment and TB test.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
Familiarity with trauma responsive approaches preferred.
Familiarity with SEL, health & wellness, racial and social justice, STEAM, Career Exploration, Indoor & Outdoor recreation, family engagement, out-of-school time programming for youth and communities preferred.

Responsibilities

Work closely with Youth Education & Prevention team members: Director, Manager, Lead Educators and fellow Educators to develop programming calendar with compliance and fidelity to grant deliverables.
Attune to student and family challenges and gaps as it informs programming and development, sharing with YEP Lead Educator, Manager, and Director to support new offerings to bolster YW services and strengthen community support.
Working together with YEP Lead Educators, support the YEP team in regards to all programming needs.
Communicate and build relationships with YW families and caregivers to boost youth program attendance and understanding of overall YW programs and services.
Support planning and delivery of lesson plans with compliance and fidelity to include YWCA’s mission-focused framework and evidence-based curriculum best practices.
Use resources wisely, effectively and collaboratively for the common good of YW fiscal and grant deliverables.
Deliver and facilitate various YW programs using evidence-based curriculums to inform lesson plans to children, adults, and families at YW3CA and various community sites ensuring compliance with curriculum and lesson plans, as it relates to the performance and effectiveness of programs and team.
Facilitate program pre- and post-assessment data, as well as attendance, reporting requirements, lesson plans and schedules, and grant reports in a timely manner.
Participate in the development of projects that align with the mission of the organization ensuring reinforcement of essential tenants of the agency when possible.
Model best practices for youth, as well as, ensure and require cleanliness and safety for all participants, places and spaces.
Communicate with YEP program participants, families and schools/communities as needed and directed by YEP Director and Manager and Education Teams.
Assist in writing social media campaigns that highlight and promote YEP programming.
Planning for and participation in YEP Department and community-focused special events.
Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.