Youth Organizer

Organizational Overview 

St. Stephen's Youth Programs (SSYP) is an afterschool and summer academic and enrichment program for young people from first grade through high school. The goal of the program is to build a community where all people feel safe, feel big, and feel connected. During B-SAFE 2023, SSYP will run program in the following neighborhoods:

  • South End (elementary students) - double site

  • Lower Roxbury (middle school students)

Each site includes academic enrichment, Social and Emotional Support (SES), health & wellness, visual and performing art workshops; science activities; recreational activities; celebratory events; and many field trips. A healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack is served each day. While based in Episcopal churches, SSYP has no required religious component for staff or youth.

For high school youth, SSYP runs a Youth Organizing program that is a paid job and includes trainings on community organizing, political education, employment, and life skills. There will be about 10 youth organizers.

Youth Organizer Position Description

The Youth Organizer is an adult staff member who develops the organizing and leadership skills of teens of SSYP.  They design and conduct political education and community organizing trainings with a group of 10 teens to prepare them to identify an issue in their community, understand the root causes surrounding the issue, and take action to win change. The Teen Staff Organizer’s job is to support youth in expressing their voice and power. 

A good candidate for this position would have:

  • Ability to creatively and engagingly run trainings for teens to develop youth knowledge, voice, and power.

  • Ability to work on a team, as well as to form and lead a team of youth.

  • Ability to take initiative and in a fast-paced, active environment with a consistently positive attitude.

  • Ability to communicate effectively with other SSYP staff and with external partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Youth Organizer will work with the Director of Organizing to run a four-week Summer Organizing Program for 10 high-school age students. 

In preparation for the summer, responsibilities include:

  • Interview and hire teen organizers through the SuccessLink city jobs program

  • Prepare political education and organizing curriculum and trainings.

  • Participate in all B-SAFE trainings with the rest of the summer staff.

  • Schedule guest speakers to join for various trainings

During the summer, responsibilities include:

  • Create a safe, welcoming space for Teen Organizers

  • Provide youth 1:1 coaching and support to develop leadership and organizing skills (30 min meetings with each youth each week)

  • Run group programming 25 hrs/week

    • Week 1: Facilitate intensive skills training 

    • Week 2: Support youth to identify and research issues

    • Week 3: Coach youth to create a campaign plan, power map, and plan action

    • Week 4: Empower youth to take action together, reflect, and think about next steps for post-B-SAFE organizing

  • Coordinate collaboration with partner organizations and campaigns

  • Implement protocol for evaluation of program outcomes

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience also accepted

Training in community organizing and/or youth work required.

Ability to use Google Suite.

KEY DATES

Training: Late June (exact dates to be announced)

Program: Wednesday, July 5th - Thursday, August 4th

Days/Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, including a half hour duty-free break from 11-11:30 am.

Compensation: $192 per day ($21.10 per hour)

Jobs are open and accepting applications until filled. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request and Sex Offenders Records Information (SORI) request will need to be completed for this position. In addition, all staff must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@ssypboston.org with the subject line “Youth Organizer”.