Summer Guide - Youth Programs

Organization Summary: GMCC has a 118-year history collaborating with communities to make a positive impact throughout Minnesota. Our initiatives and programs have included advocacy and education around equity and poverty; volunteerism and service learning; mentoring and youth development; support services for seniors; and food security. Today, GMCC is an entrepreneurial organization that partners with the communities most impacted by a challenge or opportunity to co-design and lead a response. We work in the areas of youth, food, and well-being.

GMCC Youth Initiatives include:

• Out-of-school, skill-building STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming

• Integrated trauma-informed, whole-child approach to teaching and learning.

• Hands-on, challenge-based activities that foster creativity, independence, critical thinking, and self-awareness

• Curriculum to develop digital technology skills, spark an interest in technology, and position them for careers in technology or those that require use of technology.

• Efforts to engage families in children’s education to provide a constellation of support and improve academic achievement

• A focus on decreasing educational disparities by supporting young people with foundational skills in reading, writing and math and to promote a love for learning

Start Date: July 22-August 30 (6 weeks)

Pay: DOE $30 per hour

Type: W2, Hourly, Part-time

Hours:

Summer Hours

• 40 hours/week from July 17th through September 1st (with optional additional hours in June and July)

• Approx 8am - 4pm or 9am - 5pm direct service working with youth

• Additional hours spent recruiting, participating in meetings, connecting with parents, and completing administrative work

During the school year (September - May)

• (approximately) 10-15 hours/week x 12 weeks each school semester (Fall and Spring). Times are estimated to be:

  • 2-3 hours for 2-3 evening weekdays (5-8pm)

  • 3-4 hours on one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday)

  • 2-3 additional hours for staff meetings, parent engagement, and curriculum development

= Estimated 390-490 hours annually, equating to 0.23 - 0.28 FTE

Reports to: Director of Youth Initiatives

Direct Reports: None (but Lead Guides (DOE) will take more of a leadership role with the team)

Role Overview: Guides work in collaboration with the Director of Youth Initiatives, Youth Program Manager, and other colleagues to lead GMCC’s youth services and programming; develop and deliver curriculum for ages 5-18 (lead active programming); liaise with caregivers; and design and execute evaluation and assessment strategies.

Instruction and Direct Interaction with Youth 70%

• Lead programming hours and deliver curriculum, guiding students through critical thought in one-on-one or small group sessions

• Build healthy relationships with youth participants

• Set individual monthly goals (from students and from teachers or guardians) for each youth to inspire a commitment toward holistic education and wellness

• Ensure activities follow organizational policies, protocols, and best practices and fulfill grant obligations

• Address challenges and obstacles as they arise

• Tutor and provide homework to youth of all ages; support staff and volunteers in providing tutoring and homework help

Curriculum Development 10%

• Design and deliver enriching, engaging and relevant learning experiences in a variety of topics, in particular STEAM (science, technology, engineer, arts, math) food and nutrition, physical activity, and social emotional learning

• Support team meetings with program staff to discuss course corrections and strategic approaches

• Identify, engage, and coordinate auxiliary partners and visiting instructors to provide events, programming, and curriculum

• Ensure programming takes a trauma-informed, whole-child approach.

Family and Community Engagement/Communication (Providing a constellation of support) 10%

• Complete phone calls and check-ins with teachers, students and parents to ensure goal completion

• Communicate with parents, community leaders, and stakeholders to improve access to resources.

• Collect feedback from other individuals supporting the youth (including parents and teachers)

Administration 10%

• Identify and fulfill logistics related to program delivery (set up, supplies, scheduling)

• Maintain accurate program records, including participant attendance, performance, and outcomes.

• Document and file lesson plans

• Complete observational documentation

• Attend and actively participate in relevant staff meetings and professional development opportunities.

• Other duties as assigned

• Design and complete evaluation plans, including reports on projects and events

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Experience working with youth and with group management, classroom experience preferred

• Experience working with youth of diverse ages and backgrounds (in particular BIPOC youth)

• Experience crafting engaging, hands-on lesson plans.

• Experience and competence working with people from backgrounds other than your own and ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically, both orally and in written form, with people from various backgrounds

• Committed to equity, social justice, and building intercultural skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and interest in building interpersonal connections

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and track and meet goals

• Ability to maintain and support confidentiality

How to Apply

Please apply directly to Meghann Gordon, Director of Youth Initiatives. Send a cover letter, email, and three references to mgordon@gmcc.org.