Youth Development Instructor

Job Description

Under the direction of the Youth Services Manager, the Youth Development Instructor (YDI) facilitates and delivers contextualized curriculum that allows participants to develop life skills, explore their abilities, career options, and prepare for employment. The methodology provides an early start at job exploration for students with disabilities to assist with transitioning from school to postsecondary education or employment. Work involves self‑sufficiency training and educational programs.

Instructors provide dynamic, interactive learning opportunities in groups, classrooms, and individual settings. Using strength‑based approaches with a trauma‑informed lens, YDIs are primarily responsible for teaching work‑related skills that will poise participants to acquire and sustain a career‑oriented job. They collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team comprising a Program Designee, Case Managers, and Administrative Staff. This position is a 6‑month contract with instructional time parallel to traditional school hours.

Work is evaluated through the Performance Management Evaluation System, and performers may be asked to take on additional tasks as needed.

South East Louisiana (St. James/John Parish).

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, social work, or another related field.
• At least 1 year of career development, youth development, social services, or teaching experience.
• Experience in managing student behavior in the classroom by established and enforced protocol, rules, and procedures of classroom management.
• Experience in educational instructional design to plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Experience in classroom preparation for class activities.
• Experience in preparing summary reports of students’ progress and development.
• Experience in effectively maintaining confidential records, such as clients, customers.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite and Windows‑based computer applications.
• Experience in customer service that presents a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers at all times.
• Experience working with a variety of populations, including at‑risk youth, and individuals with disabilities.

• $23 per hour.
• Flexible work schedules (between 7:30 am‑4:30 pm).
• Opportunity to work with a progressive and innovative leadership team.
• Possibility of conversion to a full‑time team member.
• Use of a company‑issued laptop.

• Establish and maintain a safe and engaging learning environment, providing a balance of support and structure.
• Adapt contextualized curriculum, preparing lesson plans with engaging activities and exercises that inspire students to acquire transferable knowledge and skills for employment.
• Monitor barriers to student participation and engagement, including those related to complex issues in their physical or social environment.
• Track student attendance, progress, and benchmark data through a participant observation tool; report any individual student issues to the Program Designee on a weekly basis.
• Follow established policies and procedures for program integrity, quality instruction, student discipline, classroom maintenance, safety, behavior management, and secured supply handling.
• Collaborate with management and administrative staff to set relevant and measurable goals for student achievement.
• Adapt teaching style and strategies to maximize student learning and retention.
• Provide professional one‑on‑one feedback regarding student performance.
• Attend all relevant meetings, supervision sessions, case conferences, curriculum development workshops, and other engagements necessary to perform job duties.
• Maintain classroom documentation based on contextualized curriculum assignments; enter data accurately and efficiently (including goals, career assessments, resume worksheets, and cover letters).
• Complete and submit monthly reports and attendance sheets to the Program Designee by the last class day of each month.
• Apply strength‑based, trauma‑informed approaches to counsel participants on academic, vocational, and employment issues;…