Youth Program Coordinator

The Youth Program Coordinator manages drop-in programs and on-site community partner visits for Pittsburgh Science Workshop.

Our free community drop-in program provides enriching hands-on science and art for underserved youth. In our programs kids & teens connect with caring mentors, rekindle a love of learning, and develop their skills and sense of agency. We have locations on the Northside and in McKees Rocks. Join our small, dedicated team and make a difference in kid’s lives! Wondering what a Community Science Workshop is like? Check out this mini-doc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2C4lwFgDs&t=1s

Position Description

The Youth Program Coordinator, supported by staff and volunteers, oversees a wide range of exciting projects including caring for plants and animals, tinkering with electronics and mechanics, explore fun and safe chemistry, constructing with wood and metal, sewing clothes, painting, and whatever ideas youth wish to pursue. Science Workshop programs are child-led and interest-driven. During program time there will be frequent interruptions, competing demands, unexpected occurrences and opportunities. The Youth Program Coordinator must think and act quickly in the moment and exercise strong leadership and management skills. They need to think critically and strategically about how to improve the program and be a creative problem-solver.

Responsibilities:

Manage open drop-in workshop hours. Provide a warm welcome and oversee youth participants to ensure a positive and impactful experience. Ensure that all ages of participants are supported in their interests and are expanding their capabilities.

Provide guidance to the volunteers helping youth with their projects. Ensure safe and effective use of a variety of tools and resources. Model the creative and inventive use of materials.

Schedule and facilitate on-site community partner visits. Plan fun projects that reflect the priorities and abilities of each group.

Provision the workshop as needed with fresh activities and resources to entice engagement, inspire curiosity and spark imagination of participants.

Manage supplies, clean and organize the space, and take care of our resident animals with help from other staff.

Engage with parents/caregivers and community members. Provide opportunities for feedback to improve our programs. Encourage family involvement. Raise awareness of our program in our target audiences and help identify and overcome barriers to attendance.

Maintain attention to detail, have strong written and verbal communication and the ability to prioritize time. Communicate honestly, openly, and in a timely manner.

Collaborate effectively with staff, community partners, parents, participants, volunteers, and board.

Contribute to program evaluation, data collection, and documentation.

Required:

At least 3 years working directly with youth.

Genuine love of working with kids and teens.

Interest in science and/or creative fields.

No formal experience or degrees required. Applicants should be excited about different kinds of science, enjoy working hands-on, and like learning new things.

1 or more years of leadership experience. This could be leading a team or group, managing staff or volunteers, or teaching. Can be in an unrelated field.

Preferred: (any of the following are helpful)

Experience leading programs in an afterschool environment

Experience working or caring for a wide age range of youth, K-8 and teens

Experience teaching science formally or informally

Experience with public engagement or community activism

Experience working with youth in the communities served by our program (or youth from similar backgrounds)

Enjoy creating or making things in your spare time

Experience working with tools, building, fixing, DIY

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $23