What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Facilitator position at Huneebee Project?
ABOUT HUNEEBEE PROJECT
Huneebee Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit social enterprise that promotes equitable job preparedness amongst our most resilient youth and environmental conservation in disinvested urban neighborhoods through bee hive installation, pollinator habitat restoration, and educational workshops. We believe beekeeping in itself is a therapeutic practice – one that requires awareness of your body in time and space, use of regulation strategies to maintain a calm presence in the midst of an open beehive, as well as reflective and honest discussions about fear, loss, courage, and hope. At Huneebee Project, these healing aspects of beekeeping are combined with social work support, professional development workshops, and creative outlets to empower our youth and young adults.
Huneebee Project involves youth and young adults in and around New Haven with past or present foster care involvement, child protective involvement, and/or developmental trauma histories in 15-week-long therapeutic job skills training programs. We refer to participants in these programs as “Beekeepers in Residence” or BKIR for short. The participants experience hands-on training on beekeeping practices and relevant job skills, while being supported in developing body and emotional awareness, regulation strategies, and mindfulness practices. Each Huneebee Project cohort builds, paints, installs, and maintains honey bee hives. Each participant graduates the program with an increased capacity for relationship building and personal skills, self-efficacy and empowerment, an understanding of the role of the honey bee in nature and the many benefits of pollinators, and a completed resume. The Project also provides employment opportunities to graduates and engages the broader communities in seminars and workshops at the designated garden sites.
Huneebee Project partners with the Yale Child Study Center, Gather New Haven, and Green Village Initiative (GVI).
POSITION OVERVIEW (What we're looking for)
We are seeking a responsible, motivated mental health practitioner, graduate-level MSW student (or equivalent, accredited Masters-level candidate) or individuals with backgrounds in mental health care, child development, education, youth community services, the creative arts, and/or environmental/natural studies to serve as a facilitator for our 2025 cohorts of Beekeepers in Residence training programs. No prior beekeeping experience is necessary.
The individual will be expected to facilitate (alongside Huneebee’s program specialist and lead beekeeper) weekly workshops and exercises to promote participants’ development of body and emotional awareness, regulation strategies, and mindfulness practices, under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Clinical Services (LCSW credentialed staff). The individual will monitor and offer 1:1 support, as needed, to BKIR participants throughout activities and when engaging in hive checks.
This part-time position pays $20/hour. Transportation is provided to BKIR participants, as needed. All mileage incurred will be reimbursed at the standard mileage rate for business travel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES (What you’ll be doing)
- Attend a paid trauma informed and mandated reporter training prior to the start of the program.
- Facilitate weekly Saturday sessions, following BKIR curriculum.
- Support group cohesion and engagement by meeting individualized needs.
- Assist with transportation, as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (What you'll need to bring along)
- Interest and curiosity in nature-based therapies
- Background in mental health care, child development, education, youth community services, the creative arts, and/or environmental/natural studies or enrolled in a related accredited program
- Strong verbal communication skills; consistently demonstrates our values of cultural humility, respect, and kinship
- Familiarity and/or willingness to understand Connecticut’s child protective and/or foster care system
- Reliable source of transportation
- Able to follow and take direction; motivated to learn; adaptable to change
- Works collaboratively with a team; asks for and seeks guidance as needed
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit a completed cover letter and CV/resume to Alexia Levin-Liberator at alexia@huneebeeproject.com.
Job Type: Contract
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 7 per week
Schedule:
- Choose your own hours
- Weekends only
Ability to Commute:
- New Haven, CT 06513 (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in New Haven, CT 06513
Salary : $20