Youth Development Leader Specialist

The Youth Development Leader Specialist oversees, facilitates, and trains a specialized program developed and endorsed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America at Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka. This position works with the site coordinator to develop strategies to help Club Members participate in Club programming which include Education and Workforce Readiness, The Arts, Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Health and Life Skills, Character, and Leadership.

The YDLS role is responsible for leading one-on-one or small group lessons to cater to the academic or behavioral needs of Club Members.

Key Roles (Essential Job Responsibilities)

• Deliver programs, activities and services that prepare youth for academic and/or social emotional success.
• Plan and facilitate opportunities for youth voice when making choices in activities and programming.
• Inspire, encourage, and foster engagement by all Club members in activities.
• Inspire and support Youth Development Leaders and Youth Development Assistants in providing and facilitating daily learning activities consistent with Club learning objectives.
• Develop and maintain supportive and professional relationships with others (school district staff, families, and volunteers, etc.) to meet the needs of Club members.

Teaching youth and teens the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCT priority. As a result, all staff is expected to model healthy behavior while working with our Club members.

BGCT values creating child-friendly environments, where youth and teens of all abilities, races, and ethnicities can be successful and participate. BGCT expects employees to embrace its focus on inclusion of all members.

Building the capacity of staff is central to BGCT. The organization requires all staff to participate in annual professional development opportunities to cultivate their skills in the youth development field.

Every staff member shares the responsibility for ensuring BGCT is, and remains, an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

Skills / Knowledge Required

• 48 college credit hours or pass the state-mandated paraprofessional test or 3 years of experience in a Boys & Girls Club (or similar environment)
• Knowledge of the Common Core Standards, intervention strategies, and intervention resources
• Knowledge and skills in proper English usage, grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, and basic math; methodologies, techniques and practices used to address the educational and emotional needs of regular program and Club members in special education
• Ability to maintain effective classroom management strategies
• Ability to motivate and encourage Club members to improve their academic or behavioral performance using effective goal-setting strategies