Youth Leadership and Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE:  Youth Leadership and Engagement Specialist 

DIVISION:  Youth Services

DEPARTMENT:  Youth Services

LOCATION:  Youth Reengagement Center (Southwest) and Samaritan Center (East) 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Education and Vocations/Superintendent  

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt/Hourly  

CLASSIFICATION:  Full-Time Regular  

APPROVED DATE: 01/22/2026

JOB SUMMARY:  Manages the SER’s leadership council(s), alumni, and service-learning teams. Encouraging, and mentoring program participants to engage in service-learning, and civic engagement while identifying and building skills necessary to represent themselves well. Oversight of all leadership development programming for opportunity youth in SER’s High School, GED and out of school programming.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plan and execute leadership activities, community engagement opportunities and team building sessions for all youth participants. 
2. Coordinate and lead civic engagement initiatives, including the planning and execution of “Legislative Days” at the city, state (Lansing), and national (Washington, D.C.) levels to provide youth with meaningful advocacy experiences.
3. Coordinate and facilitate SER’s Youth Leadership Council(s), ensuring active youth voice, participation, and development.
4. Foster self-confidence, accountability, and resilience through consistent, strength-based youth coaching.
5. Prepare youth participants to engage with policymakers, share their stories, and advocate on issues that impact their communities
6. Coordinate youth-led initiatives, including community projects, program events, and peer recognition activities.
7. Facilitate opportunities for advocacy and public speaking, inclusive of preparation for identified events. 
8. Provide mentorship to support students in building voice, self-advocacy, and decision-making capacity.
9. Conduct regular meetings with youth leadership members and program alumni to maintain engagement and continuity.
10. Represent SER Metro- Detroit and its subsidiaries at local and national events in collaboration with youth participants.
11. Model positive leadership and ethical conduct while providing direction and guidance to youth participants.
12. Maintain accurate records of youth activities, attendance, and engagement in applicable online databases and internal systems. 
13. Support implementation of core youth development programming, including Challenge Week, service learning, peer leadership, and orientation. 
14. Transport and chaperones participants to activities and transports participants as requested. 
15. Provide outreach support to the recruitment team by participating in events and connecting with prospective youth.
16. Contributes to the team effort by performing other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associates degree in a related field with at least 3 years’ experience working with youth OR a four-year degree in human services related field. 
2. Three years minimum experience and knowledge of best practices in youth development 
3. Three years minimum work experience in customer service or community service-oriented environment. 
4. Commitment to sharing expertise to assist in the skill-development of program youth. 
5. Working knowledge of local community services and agencies. 
6. Skilled at taking initiative, problem solving, and working independently. 
7. Dependable with ability to maintain a positive attitude and react to change productively. 
8. Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with staff, participants, volunteers, and partner agencies. 
9. Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
10. Computer skills are necessary to effectively maintain a database, create related reports and develop program materials. 
11. Mental ability to handle pressures related to multiple individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of need. 
12. Must possess and have a valid Michigan Driver's License. Incumbent must also have reliable transportation to make required visits and travel to off-site locations. 
13. Must be able to get Michigan Chauffer license and willing to operate 10-14 passenger van to transport participants. 
14. Must obtain an AmeriCorps background check and official clearance within 30 days of employment. 
15. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule (evenings/weekends/ and travel for legislative days). 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, bend, stand, sit, and talk or hear. The employee will be frequently required to lift and/or move 20-25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 35-50 pounds. The employee will be occasionally required to withstand hot and cold weather for an extended period as needed when engaging in outdoor events and activities. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. -This job operates in a normal school environment with a noise level, which is at times moderately loud with little discomfort due to noise, dirt, dust and the like. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities that may be performed by a person so classified. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.