Rising Leaders Program Coordinator

Job Title: Rising Leaders Program Coordinator (Contractor) Reports to: Executive Director Position Type: Part-time, independent contractor (20 hours/week) Duration: June 4 through August 14, 2026. High-level performance in this role can lead to a full-time position. Location: Portland, OR. In-person role. Compensation: $27/hour Overview of the Role The Rising Leaders Program Coordinator is a contract position responsible for supporting and facilitating Word Is Bond's 2026 Rising Leaders summer program. The role will facilitate our flagship program, Rising Leaders, held annually from June through August, with a focus on delivering a structured seven-week curriculum. This position requires business professional attire for all youth leadership meetings and events. The coordinator will manage a cohort of 10 to 15 young Black men, ages 15–16, from high schools throughout Portland. Youth leaders in Word Is Bond are known as Community Ambassadors. They will also support the planning and facilitation of summer programming, including workshops, enrichment experiences, and community-based events. The Rising Leaders Program Coordinator will work with youth who are new to Word Is Bond's programming model, helping them build foundational leadership skills while supporting their development as a cohort. The role will emphasize holding youth to high expectations, adherence to the business-casual dress code, and daily attendance. This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, relationship-driven, and passionate about the leadership development of young Black men. The Summer Program Coordinator will serve as a mentor, facilitator, and program lead, helping create a safe, structured, and empowering environment for participants. Strong performance in this role can lead to a full-time role in the fall of 2026. About Word Is Bond Word Is Bond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership incubator for young Black men founded in Portland, OR, in 2017. Our mission statement is, "What if young Black men were empowered to their fullest potential?" ESSENTIAL DUTIES Program Delivery & Facilitation Facilitate Word Is Bond's Rising Leaders' structured program curriculum, including workshops, leadership activities, and enrichment experiences Deliver a structured curriculum while accommodating different learning styles and engagement levels Help youth participants learn and grow in the Word Is Bond leadership model Ensure youth meet the daily business casual dress code Support attendance through daily check-ins, coordinating transportation and logistics, and checking in with youth families as needed Assist in planning and executing program activities such as outdoor leadership experiences and skill-building sessions Help plan, coordinate, and lead the end-of-summer program community showcase Youth Engagement & Mentorship Manage and support a cohort of approximately 10–15 young Black men participating in summer programming Provide consistent mentorship, guidance, and check-ins with participants Support second-year Ambassadors in their internship placements, acting as a liaison between participants and worksites Foster a safe and supportive environment through strong relationship-building, clear expectations, and consistent communication Program Coordination & Operations Support recruitment and onboarding of new youth participants Coordinate program logistics, including scheduling, communication, materials, and transportation support Track attendance, participation, and engagement across all program activities Maintain organized records, including participant paperwork and program documentation Data & Evaluation Support the collection of program data and participant feedback Assist in developing and facilitating program evaluations Contribute to end-of-program reporting and documentation Qualifications & Experience 2 to 3 years of experience working in a youth-serving nonprofit, education, or community-based setting preferred Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of lived and professional experience Understanding of Black liberation frameworks and history, youth power building, and/or experience working within racial justice movements is highly desired Strong facilitation and group management skills Ability to build meaningful relationships with youth from diverse backgrounds Experience with mentorship, youth development, or program coordination strongly preferred Experience in conflict resolution, behavior management, and/or trauma-informed care strongly preferred Strong organizational and communication skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, community-based environment Other Requirements Maintain a valid driver's license and a strong, safe driving record Ability to pass federal and state background checks required for work with minors Education Word Is Bond values both formal education and lived experience. Candidates with a range of educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The most important qualification is the ability to effectively mentor, guide, and support young Black men in their development. Word Is Bond is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr