Youth Leadership Specialist

Youth Leadership Specialist - ONS (YLS-ONS)

Full-Time Position
Location: New York City
Annual Salary: $47,000

Position Summary

Global Kids educates, inspires, and mobilizes youth to become global citizens who are positively engaged in the world and prepared for their future. Global Kids is seeking a passionate, creative, and youth-centered professional to serve as a Youth Leadership Specialist - Office of Neighborhood Safety (YLS-ONS).

The YLS-ONS will facilitate leadership development workshops and civic engagement programming for youth participating in the NYC Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) Youth Leadership Council initiative. This position combines group facilitation, curriculum development, and individualized participant support to help young people strengthen leadership skills, increase civic engagement, and achieve personal, academic, and social-emotional goals.


The ideal candidate is an experienced youth development professional who can build strong relationships with young people, create engaging learning experiences, and provide ongoing one-on-one coaching and mentorship.

Key Responsibilities

Program Facilitation & Leadership Development

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate interactive leadership development workshops and special events.
• Develop and implement engaging, youth-centered curriculum focused on civic engagement, public safety, advocacy, leadership, social justice, human rights, global issues, and 21st-century skills.
• Design experiential learning activities that promote teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and youth voice.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment that encourages active participation and leadership.
• Collaborate with youth participants in developing projects and initiatives that address issues impacting their communities.
• Support and participate in special events, conferences, retreats, youth summits, college visits, and leadership training.

Participant Support & Case Management

• Maintain a caseload of participants and conduct regular one-on-one coaching and support sessions.
• Monitor participant progress, attendance, and engagement.
• Provide individualized guidance related to academic success, leadership development, social-emotional growth, and goal setting.
• Connect participants and families with appropriate community resources and services when needed.
• Implement of participant recruitment, outreach, retention, and engagement strategies.
• Maintain positive relationships with youth, families, school personnel, and community stakeholders.

Collaboration & Partnership Building

• Work closely with Global Kids staff, ONS representatives, school personnel, and community partners to ensure effective program implementation.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop innovative programming and respond to participant needs.
• Support partner schools and community-based program goals and initiatives.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collect, maintain, and enter participant attendance, assessment, and evaluation data.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to participant progress and program outcomes.
• Manage program records, case notes, permission slips, and required documentation.
• Complete fiscal and operational procedures, including expense reports and equipment tracking.
• Ensure compliance with Global Kids, ONS, and funder requirements.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in education, Social Work, Youth Development, Psychology, Political Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with middle school and/or high school youth.
• Experience facilitating workshops, leadership development activities, or youth programs.
• Strong understanding of positive youth development principles and social-emotional learning.
• Experience working in or alongside NYC public schools and community-based organizations preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management abilities.
• Ability to build rapport with diverse youth populations and families.
• Experience providing mentorship, coaching, or case management support.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and data management systems.
• Knowledge of social justice, civic engagement, youth leadership, and community issues.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time position with a salary of $47,000 per annum. Global Kids offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, paid holidays, vacation days, personal days, sick leave, and professional development opportunities. Employees also receive retail discounts through the organization's Professional Employer Organization (PEO).

Global Kids, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity and do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, citizenship, mental or physical handicap or disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law. We continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and diversity in all forms.