Youth Engagement Specialist

About us

Alta Housing is a small non-profit organization based in Palo Alto, CA. We are professional, customer-centric and our goal is to The mission of our Resident Services Program is to partner with residents to create an empowering living environment through strengths-based, resident-driven, impactful programming. Our youth program is an intentionally designed community space for youth living in our housing complexes to build skills in academics, leadership and life. Come work with us to expand your skills in project-based lesson planning, group facilitation, leadership, and youth development while building mentoring relationships with amazing kids..

Our work environment includes:

• Growth opportunities
• Regular social events
• Relaxed atmosphere
• On-the-job training

We're hiring a Youth Engagement Specialist to join our dynamic Resident Services Team at Alta Housing, serving low-income families in Palo Alto

Position Summary: The mission of our Resident Services Program is to partner with residents to create an empowering living environment through strengths-based, resident-driven, impactful programming.Our youth program is an intentionally designed community space for youth living in our housing complexes to build skills in academics, leadership and life. Come work with us to expand your skills in project-based lesson planning, group facilitation, leadership, and youth development while building mentoring relationships with amazing kids.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work alongside our Youth Program Leaders and youth living in Alta Housing by assisting with day-to-day management of after school and/or summer programs according to youth program best practices and principles of project-based learning
• Build mentoring relationships and provide positive role modeling with youth in grades 1-12. Hold youth responsible for youth program group agreements.
• Research, plan & lead daily enrichment activities according to agreed upon themes and outcomes in coherence with youth program quality standards.
• Help plan and facilitate family oriented programming including Family Reading Club nights, Annual Spring Festival, Farmer’s Market programs and summer enrichment camps.
• Create a welcoming environment for all residents and promote available services and programs through various methods and marketing strategies.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Education or a related field may be substituted
• 1-2 years experience in facilitating out-of school programming with school aged youth.
• Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Qualities

• Warm, positive and down-to-earth personality.
• Thrive in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to develop cooperative relationships--absolutely essential for success in this position.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong sense of initiative, with ability to self-manage and take ownership of work.
• A quick study, independently resourceful.
• A visionary, with the ability to be detail oriented when implementing programs and with administrative tasks.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercising objectivity and confidentiality while building trusting relationships with residents and staff.
• Have excellent customer service - approachable, positive presence, empathetic, clear and effective written and verbal communication, accountable, and provides timely follow-through.
• Understanding structural and systemic issues that create social and economic inequities based on race, gender, class, etc.
• Comfortable with public speaking at activities and meetings.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities with an ability to adjust to change in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits Package

Alta Housing provides 100% employer paid employee healthcare (medical, dental, and vision coverage), Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance premiums with the option of adding family members to healthcare plans at little to no cost to the employee. Alta Housing will contribute 6% of gross salaries towards plan sponsored 403(b) plan after one year of employment. Alta Housing provides 12 paid holidays throughout the year, paid winter break between Christmas and New Year Day and 2 personal days of employee's choosing per year. In addition to holiday pay, employees will accrue up to two weeks of paid vacation days and two weeks of paid sick days each year.

Alta Housing (AH) is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Palo Alto, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• facilitating out-of school programming with children: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person