Youthlink Activity Specialist - Service Learning (New South Bronx Center)

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC•New York, NY

3d•$20 - $25•Onsite

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 across all five boroughs since 1914. PAL offers a wide range of programs including Head Start, after-school programs, summer day camps, teen centers, college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. PAL also emphasizes competitive and recreational sports. The Service Learning Specialist role focuses on developing and facilitating meaningful experiences for high school youth through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership development. This involves designing projects that combine community service with reflection and skill-building, aiming to foster active citizenship and community connections. The specialist will cultivate partnerships with various organizations to create service opportunities that address community needs.

Requirements

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.
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 will be learning mental health, SEL, and special needs inclusion skills and expected to integrate them into programming.
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

Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

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.