Youth Program Facilitator, Teens in Print

Job description

WHO WE AREAt WriteBoston, we believe that powerful literacy skills are core to social justice and equal opportunity. We work towards this goal with two complementary programs: 1) a youth writing and journalism program, Teens in Print and 2) professional development and coaching services to schools, districts and education organizations so that they may better serve young people to develop into independent and engaged readers, writers and critical thinkers. Learn more at . In our 2020 racial justice statement, WriteBoston committed to building a more equitable, anti-racist organization. With input from staff and stakeholders, this includes an ongoing programmatic revisioning process to further align our mission, vision, and programmatic work with our justice-oriented values.Teens in Print (TiP), which consists of a Program Director, two Youth Program Facilitators, and volunteers, is a writing and journalism program that amplifies the marginalized voices of eighth to twelfth-grade Boston students. TiP offers an after-school program, an intensive six-week summer writing program, workshops for Boston teachers and community organizations, and a dynamic online platform for student writing. We strive to give students the tools to effectively share their experiences and perspectives through writing, the platform to reach decision makers who can act on their ideas, and the knowledge to become thoughtful consumers of media. Last year, TiP engaged over 550 students through after-school and summer programming, workshops, college-readiness support, and online publication. Read the student writing at hub.teensinprint.com. During Fall 2021, all TiP programming is currently on a hiatus while our team revamps our model and curriculum as a part of the larger WriteBoston programmatic revisioning process.WHO YOU AREWe at WriteBoston recognize that people from marginalized backgrounds are often less likely to apply for a role if they don't meet every job requirement. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and experience levels to apply for this position. In addition to these skills and experience listed below, the right orientation is equally important.Experience & Skills Required A minimum of an Associate's degreePast youth-serving experience and an eagerness to build positive relationships with teensA strong command of written and verbal English, including comfort with public speakingCommitment to identifying and challenging the institutional and systemic barriers that perpetuate racism and inequityAbility to collaborate with a team and to work independently and take initiativeIntentional problem solving skills along with consistent organizational skillsComfort giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback for continuous learningExperience & Skills DesiredFamiliarity with the City of Boston and Boston Public SchoolsSome experience in or with journalism or writingComfort with social media and using different technologiesCORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The core responsibilities of the two Youth Program Facilitators are very similar in nature. It is to be determined how the two facilitators' specific responsibilities will vary based on future programming and the incoming facilitator. In collaboration with the rest of the TiP team, and through ongoing training and support, the Youth Program Facilitator will provide:MentorshipServe as a positive adult mentor for teen program participants by:motivating studentsmodeling a positive attitudebeing engaged, interested in and accessible to studentsconnecting students to additional resources to support their learning and growth based on the complexities they may be facing both in and out of schoolProgram FacilitationSupport the facilitation of student-facing programming for between 30-40 students per programming cycle (four cycles of programming per year including a six-week intensive summer program). This requires:independently facilitating high energy, student-centered content for teens (all facilitation is currently virtual and run through Discord; however, facilitation will eventually return to in-person)planning and executing media literacy workshops in teacher classroomsfamiliarity with online tools and technology needed to facilitate remote learning (Google Classroom, Zoom, Discord, Slack)flexibility with the daily pace and demands of the position based upon where students are in the writing process (early drafting versus push for final editing and publication)Content DevelopmentIn alignment with TiP program objectives, create and enhance a diverse curriculum of engaging lesson plans and workshops that build students critical thinking, writing and media literacy skills. All content must be designed for inclusion (specifically, for ELL/ESL and neuro-divergent youth) and for a wide variety of learners ages 13-19.Provide college essay writing support to TiP students as well as teens in other youth serving organizations.Writing, Editing & Publishing Support Provide both group and one-on-one writing support to students (this includes guiding students' thinking as they develop initial article ideas; offering instruction and support around the research and interviewing process; and providing content and mechanics feedback on all article drafts).Provide final line editing and fact checking for student articles pre-publication.Coordinate the collection, reading, and editing of writing submissions from students outside the program for publication on the TiP website.Edit and upload student writing and multimedia content to the online publication website.Communications & Operations SupportSupport student recruitment by representing Teens in Print during classroom visits, recruitment fairs, and other visibility events.Contribute to TiP's external communications, including Teens in Print social media content and marketing email.Developing and maintaining systems around data collection and student information.ADDITIONAL INFOLocationWriteBoston's home base is the Bruce C. Bolling Building at 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA. Pre-pandemic, all TiP staff worked from the office five days per week and ran student after-school programming 2-3 days per week in community locations. Currently, staff are performing work in a hybrid model. TiP programming is on hiatus for the fall and will re-launch in January 2022 with a hybrid after-school offering. When we are able to return to in-person programming, the Youth Program Facilitator will be expected to travel to programming sites. Current locations are TBD, but will be in Boston proper. All WriteBoston employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.Position DetailsThis is a full time, 40 hours a week position typically working from 10am - 6pm. WriteBoston offers a comprehensive total rewards package that values employee wellness, work-life balance, and continuous learning. We work hard to support a culture of work that is both rigorous and humane.Annual salary of $43,000 - $48,000, commensurate with past relevant work experienceTotal of 7+ weeks of paid time off per-year (4 weeks of paid vacation + 11 paid holidays + Christmas week off)Generous personal time and sick leave, as well as a Dependent Care Assistance PlanQuality health and dental insurance (employer pays 75%)Paid parental leave (eligible after 3 months full time employment)Individual professional development budget ($500 per year) to support staff in achieving career objectives401KCandidatesWriteBoston actively seeks to build a staff that is composed of people who share aspects of their identity and background experiences with the students and communities we serve.In all of our work, we acknowledge that our education system has been deeply shaped by systemic racism, resulting in far-reaching inequities in both opportunities and outcomes for BIPOC students. WriteBoston's work is guided by our conviction to create a more equitable and just education system that our students deserve. As an organization, we stand against racism and all forms of oppression including homophobia, transphobia, classism, sexism, ableism, and xenophobia. We commit to focused and sustained action to dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies within ourselves and our networks.To ApplyPlease send your resume and cover letter to Sarah Poulter. We look forward to hearing from you!Job Type: Full-timePay: $43,000.00 - $48,000.00 per yearBenefits:401(k)Dental insuranceHealth insurancePaid time offParental leaveProfessional development assistanceSchedule:8 hour shiftMonday to FridayWeekend availabilityWork Location: One location