OST Youth Recruiter Afterschool Program

Description

The Philadelphia Youth Network is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Out-of-School Time (OST) Youth Recruiter to support the recruitment of middle school students for our 21st Century and IGNITE Afterschool Programs. The OST Youth Recruiter will play a key role in engaging students, parents, and school staff to encourage enrollment and participation in these impactful programs.

In this position, you will be responsible for building strong relationships with students, school staff, principals, and parents to increase awareness, drive enrollment, and motivate students to join. You will work closely with OST Program Managers and other key stakeholders to foster ongoing, meaningful connections with the eight schools awarded to the program.

Your responsibilities will include organizing outreach activities, assisting with the application process, and facilitating a seamless enrollment experience for new participants. As a Youth Recruiter, you will travel between schools and proactively engage with students, families, and school personnel to promote the afterschool programs and encourage student involvement.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about youth development, demonstrate strong communication skills, and be committed to making a positive impact by driving student participation in our programs.

The OST Youth Recruiter will oversee youth recruitment at the following middle schools:

• Warren G. Harding
• Aloysius L. FitzPatrick
• Thomas K. Finletter
• C.C.A. Baldi
• William H. Hunter
• Jay Cooke
• William H. Ziegler
• Alexander Adaire

Essential Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Must be able to work weekends when necessary.
• Multilingual a preferred, with the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effectively interacting with students, parents, school staff, and community partners.
• Must be able to attend and successfully complete CPR/First Aid certification.
• Must pass background checks, including PA State Criminal, Child Abuse, National Sex Offender Registry, and FBI fingerprinting.

Company Summary:
PYN alleviates poverty by preparing young people to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. PYN coordinates partners that connect young people to education and employment experiences, equipping them with the skills employers need. As a result, PYN creates a system of services that help young people become successful, creating a diverse local talent pipeline. Learn more at www.pyninc.org.

Qualifications

Education:

• Associates degree preferred, with 2 years’ experience.

Experience:

• Two years of experience working with children and/or adolescents, particularly underserved populations.
• Experience working with middle school students or other youth groups in educational, recreational, or community-based programs.
• Prior experience working with youth, especially middle school-aged students, in educational or community-based settings.
• Previous experience in recruiting youth for afterschool programs, summer camps, or similar educational initiatives.
• Experience in creating or promoting youth programs, especially in out-of-school time (OST) settings like afterschool or enrichment programs.
• Hands-on experience in organizing recruitment events and informational sessions to attract students and their families.
• Experience in a customer service or client-facing role, which involves addressing inquiries, resolving concerns, and providing guidance to students and their families.
• 2-3 years of experience in a youth-related role, such as an outreach coordinator, program assistant, or youth mentor in a school or community organization.
• Experience in recruitment or marketing of educational or extracurricular programs, with a focus on outreach and community engagement.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrated customer service experience, and familiarity with the communities served, including knowledge of local needs and resources.
• Proficiency with technology tools such as Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word) and basic data entry or record-keeping tools and databases.
• Strong ability to track, record, and report data related to recruitment activities, program enrollment, and student engagement, alongside knowledge of effective recruitment tactics to increase program enrollment.
• Highly driven and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative in promoting programs and reaching out to potential participants.
• Ability to engage and motivate middle school students to participate in afterschool programs, while building trust and rapport with stakeholders to ensure successful recruitment.
• Skilled in developing and maintaining positive relationships with students, families, and stakeholders, and building connections with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills for managing outreach activities, tracking recruitment progress, and maintaining accurate records of student contacts and enrollments.
• Capability to design and implement effective recruitment strategies and overcome barriers to program participation.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address challenges in the recruitment process and resolve concerns from students, parents, or school staff.
• Comfortable delivering presentations or facilitating information sessions for students, parents and school staff.
• Collaborative approach to working with OST Program Managers and school staff, to ensure successful program implementation.
• Flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds and the ability to connect with students and families from various demographics, ensuring inclusive practices for all students.
• Professionalism in resolving conflicts or concerns.

Phhysical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time during meetings, interviews, and desk work.
• Ability to use office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and through email.
• Frequent walking around school campuses, standing during events or meetings with staff, or moving between different areas such as classrooms, offices, and outdoor spaces.
• Ability to handle situations in classrooms or other school areas, requiring agility in moving through crowded or busy spaces.
• Occasionally, transport program-related materials such as teaching resources and student materials between schools. This may involve carrying moderate weight (up to 25 pounds) in bags, boxes, or presentation materials.
• Ability to adapt physically to different work environments, whether it’s an office, classroom, or outdoor school event.
• Ability to interact with children in a positive, motivating, and engaging way. It may require bending down to a child’s level or standing for long periods during activities or meetings with school staff.
• Adherence to safety protocols, especially in environments involving children, which may include standing for extended periods, walking, and possibly responding to emergency situations if required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary : $50,000 - $65,000