Youth Worker, Education (53108)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Youth Worker serves as an emerging youth development professional within RiseBoro's school-based and community youth programs. Youth Workers lead assigned groups and facilitate engaging learning experiences that foster belonging, skill development, leadership, and positive relationships. Through intentional planning, active supervision, and positive youth development practices, they create safe, inclusive environments where young people can build confidence, explore new interests, and thrive. Working collaboratively with leadership and program staff, Youth Workers take ownership of the day-to-day implementation of assigned activities and participant experiences. Through meaningful engagement, reflective practice, and increasing responsibility, they contribute to high-quality programming while continuing to strengthen their own skills and grow as youth development professionals. In addition to contributing to the overall success of the program and carrying out responsibilities assigned by program leadership, essential duties and responsibilities include:

Participant Supervision & Safety
• Maintain active supervision and shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of all participants across program spaces, transitions, and off-site experiences.
• Support arrival, dismissal, and transition procedures to promote safe, organized, and positive experiences for participants and families.
• Identify and communicates safety concerns, participant needs, and incidents to program leadership in a timely manner.
• Reinforce program expectations and contributes to a culture of accountability, belonging, and mutual respect.

Participant Engagement & Program Support
• Support the facilitation of enrichment activities and learning experiences that support participants' academic, social-emotional, creative, leadership, and recreational development.
• Lead assigned groups and activities independently while collaborating with Group Leaders and program staff to ensure engaging, organized, and developmentally appropriate experiences.
• Provide individualized support to participants during program activities, helping to encourage participation, confidence, and skill development.
• Encourage active participation and adapts activities to meet the varying interests, strengths, and needs of participants.
• Provide academic support and skill-building opportunities through homework help, project-based learning, and other program experiences, as applicable.

Youth Development & Mentorship
• Build positive, strengths-based relationships with participants and serves as a caring, consistent, and supportive adult presence.
• Contribute to inclusive environments where every participant feels respected, valued, connected, and capable of success while promoting youth voice, choice, leadership, and meaningful participation.
• Apply positive youth development practices and age-appropriate behavior support strategies to foster belonging, accountability, and growth.
• Exercise sound judgment in responding to routine participant concerns and behavior challenges, seeking guidance from leadership when situations require additional support or intervention.

Professional Growth & Team Contribution
• Participate in meetings and workshops that enhance professional skills, as assigned by Program Director and Education Specialist, including required hours of training per year; completion of one-hour training requirements covering mental health awareness, engagement and de-escalation, crisis response protocols and mental health resources.
• Demonstrate openness to feedback, reflection, and learning to strengthen professional practice.
• Contribute positively to team culture through collaboration, flexibility, and shared responsibility.
• Demonstrate initiative and commitment to personal and professional growth.

Professional Responsibility, Documentation & Program Operations
• Adhere to site-specific memoranda and program staff manual which includes staff and program specific requirements as prescribed by the NYS Child School Aged Child Care (SACC) Programs regulation in a proactive manner, making the provision of quality services and the safety and care of all children the primary focus.
• Demonstrate professionalism through consistent attendance, punctuality, preparedness, and follow-through.
• Take ownership of assigned groups, activities, materials, and responsibilities to ensure high-quality implementation and participant experiences.
• Complete attendance records, incident reports, activity logs, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Communicate participant concerns, operational needs, and program updates to leadership and colleagues in a timely manner.
• Adhere to agency policies, program procedures, reporting protocols, and applicable regulatory requirements while exercising appropriate decision-making within the scope of the role.
• Recognize that personal attendance, punctuality, and performance directly impact participant safety, staffing ratios, program quality, and regulatory compliance, and takes responsibility for minimizing disruptions to program operations.
COMPETENCIES
• At least 18 years old with one year of experience working with youth;
• Positive Youth Development & Relationship Building
• Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork
• Adaptability, Initiative & Willingness to Learn
• Professionalism & Sound Judgment
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
• High school/HSE diploma preferred.