Overview
The Chelsea Collaborative is a community-based agency whose mission is to empower Chelsea residents and Chelsea organizations to enhance the social, environmental, and economic health of the community and its residents. The Collaborative carries out its mission through community organizing, technical assistance, program development, and information dissemination. The Collaborative’s programs and projects include The Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee, the Chelsea Latino Coalition, The Chelsea Latino Immigrant Committee, Chelsea United in Defense of Education, the Chelsea Voter Initiative, the Shanbaro Community Association, the Summer Youth Employment Initiative and the Chelsea Community Fund.
Job Summary
The Chelsea Collaborative is seeking a part-time Youth Coordinator to work within the organization’s Youth and Families Department to increase, through close collaboration with local agencies, the number, range, and depth of positive learning experiences available to considerably disadvantaged young people living in Chelsea. The Collaborative’s youth programs seek to provide youth not only with a source of income, for those who are afforded employment with the organization, but a sense of responsibility and self-esteem. The Collaborative connects youth to mentors, community resources, and encourages civic participation. The primary goal of all the youth programs at the Collaborative is to engage young people in community change while decreasing engagement in risky behaviors.
The ideal candidate must have experience working with youth and community resources serving youth. The Youth Coordinator will provide support to young people on a year round basis, regardless of youths’ employment with the organization, and will serve as a link to mental health, social services, and community resources for the youth. The Youth Coordinator will support youth in becoming successful young adults. This may include identifying tutoring and mentoring support for academic achievement; and assisting with college application processes. Additionally, the Youth Coordinator will encourage youths’ employment beyond and outside of the Collaborative by preparing letters of recommendation, serving as a reference, identifying employment opportunties and trade programs and working with young people to expand their enrichment and skills. The Youth Coordinator will also work on the Summer Youth Employment Initiative (SYEI) by providing support to the Collaborative’s Director of Youth and Families in organizing and carrying out the program; supporting the Environmental Chelsea Organizers (ECO) year round youth group; supporting ECO’s Youth Committee; and co-leading the Boston Bantu Girls group which meets weekly.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Conduct outreach to youth and parents to engage them in programming at the Chelsea Collaborative.
Provide support, make connections and refer youth to community resources.
Assist youth in broadening skills, resume building, obtaining necessary resources such as tutoring and mentoring assistance and applying for college or jobs.
Outreach to and build relationships with community residents, parents, youth, teachers, businesses, churches and civic groups using a variety of outreach methods including one-on–one meetings, door knocking, attending community and school meetings, flyer creation and distribution, and other methods.
Collaborate with other staff to implement and expand Summer Youth Employment Initiative – identifying new worksites, fundraising, planning and implementing enrichment activities, carrying out application and interview process, conduct day-to-day business as related to program.
Collaborate with other staff on year round youth programming such as the ECO Crew, Boston Bantu Girls Group, Youth Committee and other ongoing youth committees and campaigns at the Collaborative.
Work with youth to further develop leadership skills.
Organize and run meetings and events.
Coordinate projects with city agencies and other community based agencies.
Plan, coordinate and/or provide assistance for special programs and events.
Provide assistance/guidance to volunteers.
Participate in appropriate coalitions.
Other work related to Youth and Families Department, as directed.
Support and work with other Collaborative programs as necessary.
Qualifications:
High School diploma required. Bachelors degree or higher recommended.
Minimum of two years of youth work related experience
Completed youth leadership/ youth work trainings.
Bilingual (Spanish/ English)
Experience working in Chelsea, a plus
Knowledgeable about academic, employment, mental health and other community resources for youth
Strong verbal and written skills
Good computer skills – Microsoft Office, e-mail, database software, desktop publishing a plus
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Program management experience
Ability to work in a team, as well as to take initiative and work independently
Quick learner
Ability to handle multiple and complex projects
Ability to work with a diverse range of people and to motivate them to become involved in community work
Enthusiastic, flexible, self-motivated, dependable, responsible and creative.
Commitment to social justice and youth empowerment efforts a must
Ability to work evenings and weekends
Experience with Summer Youth Employment Initiative, or similar youth employment and enrichment program, a plus
How to apply
To Apply
Those who do not have direct youth work experience need not apply. In order to be considered for this position, please follow carefully the directions to apply. Mail or e-mail an English-language resume, 1-page writing sample, and cover letter postmarked by February 10, 2016 to:
Subject: Youth Coordinator Hiring Committee
Chelsea Collaborative, Inc.
318 Broadway
Chelsea, MA 02150
Email: roseannb@chelseacollab.org
Finalists may be asked to provide additional materials in Spanish.
The Chelsea Collaborative is an ADA, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity Employer