Youthlink Activity Specialist - Service Learning (Harlem Center)
About The Position
The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization that has been serving children and young adults since 1914. PAL offers a variety of programs including Head Start, after-school programs, summer day camps, teen centers, college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. PAL is dedicated to empowering communities and building great places to work. Service Learning Specialists are responsible for developing and facilitating meaningful experiences that connect high school youth to their communities through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership development. They design projects that combine community service with reflection, skill-building, and youth voice, helping participants understand the impact of civic responsibility while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Specialists cultivate partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, and local stakeholders to create engaging service opportunities that address community needs. PAL is seeking passionate individuals who can inspire youth to become active citizens, build meaningful community connections, and foster a lifelong commitment to service.
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.
- Able to work (varies by site)
- Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
- Able 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 preferred.
- College coursework in the above subjects will also be considered.
- Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.
- Open to learning and growing.
- All staff will be learning mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills and expected to integrate them into programming.
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 all service activities are conducted safely and in alignment with program goals.
- Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions in your groups and follow support plans to help the student with special needs to thrive.
- Respond appropriately when time-sensitive mental health services are needed such as suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member.
- 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 with respect to demeanor, communication, and behavior.
- Attend meetings with staff, caretakers, volunteers, and community residents as needed.
- Interact with caretakers and keep open lines of communication.
Benefits
- health insurance
- flexible spending account options
- an employee assistance program
- tuition reimbursement
- pet insurance
- life insurance
- retirement savings options
- a generous paid time off policy
- training
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
