Youth Empowerment Specialist

YWCA Of Lancaster • East Lampeter Township, PA

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

YWCA Lancaster is seeking a Youth Empowerment Specialist to lead engaging, evidence-based prevention education that empowers young people to build healthy relationships, prevent violence, and advance racial and gender equity. Working primarily with K–12 students in school and community settings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, gender studies, liberal arts, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Experience working directly with K-12 students or youth in school-based, after-school, community-based, or other youth-serving settings.
• Strong communication, presentation, and group facilitation skills, including public speaking.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and with the ability to work effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft office and virtual presentation platforms.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the service area as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing, adapting, or evaluating educational curricula and youth programming preferred
• Experience collaborating with schools, educators, or community organizations to deliver youth programming preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, healthy relationships, violence prevention, racial and gender equity, or related topics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead school-based prevention education programs, workshops, trainings, and community education sessions aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop and facilitate youth empowerment groups and clubs that build relationships, strengthen skills, and encourage leadership and action.
• Facilitate engaging, age-appropriate discussions on healthy relationships, consent, violence prevention, racial and gender equity, intersectionality, bystander intervention, and related topics.
• Apply evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices, adapting content and instructional methods to participants’ developmental needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, educators, administrators, and youth-serving organizations.
• Develop, adapt, and maintain educational curricula and training materials informed by current research, best practices, and community needs.
• Support program evaluation by collecting participant feedback, measuring outcomes, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Build supportive relationships with youth and foster confidence, agency, leadership, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
• Incorporate youth perspectives and feedback into program design, delivery, and improvement.
• Maintain accurate program records, attendance data, and activity reports.
• Support grant reporting and program documentation.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and organizational initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision after 30 days of employment
• Retirement plan with employee match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403b plan
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance plans available
• Life Insurance
• Long/Short Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 15 days (1st year), paid holidays, 1 floating holiday
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Participation in YWCA activities and seminars
• Childcare at a discounted rate - First child-no cost childcare in our four-star rated program
• Parental leave
• 20% tuition discount at Widener University (including graduate and continuing studies-bachelor’s completion)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level