Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program Specialist

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program Specialist

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington seeks a Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program Specialist who is highly culturally competent and shares our vision of helping Girl Scouts change the world.

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) uses Girl Scout experiences to strengthen the familial bond between Girl Scouts and their mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt during the adult's incarceration. The program fosters positive personal and social development of Girl Scouts and their incarcerated adult, providing opportunities to learn new skills and build confidence. Ultimately, the program's goal is to reduce the impact of family separation due to incarceration.

What You'll Do

• Plan and facilitate Girl Scout programming in person and virtually, including troop meetings, leader meetings, field trips, camp overnights, and other activities for program participants, including youth Girl Scouts and their incarcerated mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or sisters.
• Support adult GSBB program participants (incarcerated mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or sisters) in active troop leadership. Provide mentorship, coaching, and guidance to program participants and facilitate participation in activities.
• Assist the GSBB Program Coordinator with the program participant intake cycle, including, but not limited to, leading applicant interviews and communicating with prospective families to guide the applicant, youth, and caregiver through the entire onboarding experience.
• Supervise girls, interns, participants, and volunteers during Coffee Creek-based programming, monthly troop meetings, Community Cohort-specific experiences, and other troop and council events.
• Work with incarcerated participants and their girl(s) to ensure the program is responsive to their needs.
• Support and supervise volunteers to ensure that Girl Scout policies and procedures are understood and followed.
• Coordinate the purchase and organization of program supplies.
• Support all program participants in engaging with the program, including maintaining consistent contact through various means of communication.
• Maintain the monthly budget for all program needs, including but not limited to program supplies, food and beverages, and postage and mailing.
• Participate in collaborative work with internal GSOSW communities, including the Community Pathways and Program Teams.
• Support training GSBB volunteers and interns.
• Administer program evaluations.
• Drive youth program participants to activities and troop meetings using council-provided vehicles or your personal vehicle.
• Promote and assist with council-wide programs, activities, public relations, and fund development endeavors.
• Utilize GSOSW's customer relationship management system to manage, support, and track interactions with GSBB families and volunteers.
• Provide high-quality customer service to members, volunteers, staff, and other community contacts.

What You Bring

• At least five (5) years of relevant education and experience, including social science, education, recreation, youth development, criminal justice, or related field, and or lived experience with the justice system.
• Experience in conflict resolution, classroom management, youth development, program planning, and curriculum delivery.
• Experience working in youth programs, preferably those serving at-risk youth, youth of diverse backgrounds and ages, and high-need families.
• Experience working with and understanding children of incarcerated parents and families impacted by the justice system.
• Comfortable working within a correctional facility.
• Able to work a flexible schedule, including at least one evening a month, two Saturdays a month, and occasional overnight trips.
• Able to drive girl members to meetings and events with a valid driver's license in good standing, an acceptable driving record, and the state-required minimum auto insurance.
• Must be able to pass the Oregon Department of Corrections background check and complete the security badging process for the Oregon Department of Corrections. The badging process will take up to one year to complete and can be completed during the first year of employment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Maturity of judgment.
• Maintain confidentiality of member information.
• Conflict resolution and mediation.
• Classroom management.
• Youth development.
• Program planning and implementation.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, while managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to collaborate with and contribute to a team environment.
• Effective communication skills, including verbal and written communication, and experience communicating with diverse audiences in large and small groups and individually.
• Ability to communicate well under challenging circumstances.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, planning and implementation skills, and reporting experience.
• Effective time management.
• Computer proficiency at an intermediate level in Microsoft 365, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with proficiency and ease in learning new applications.
• Work Conditions & Physical Requirements:
• • Indoor environment – 98%
  • Outdoor events – 10%
  • Travel to other locations – 50%
  • Use of computer, phone, and other office equipment – 100%
  • Lifting up to 25 pounds – 5%
  • Pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds – 5%
  • Reaching above and below shoulder level – 5%
  • Driving – 50%-75%

The Details

• Compensation – None xempt/ hourly, starting at $21.63 to $25.96 per hour, depending on qualifications. Plus $1.25 per hour for Spanish language skills at a conversational level or higher.
• Benefits – We offer health, dental, life insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays. We also offer a retirement plan with a 3.5% employer contribution. For more details, visit www.girlscoutsosw.org/careers.
• Hours – Full-time, business hours, up to 2 Saturdays a month, and occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight trips, with some flexibility.
• Location – This role requires travel (up to 50% of the time), transporting youth participants to CCCF in Wilsonville, OR, attending meetings and events, and in-office work 1-3 times per week at our Portland Service Center, depending on programming needs. Administrative duties may be performed remotely if you meet internet connectivity standards or at one of our Service Centers throughout Oregon. All staff must participate in in-person meetings, events, work assignments, and retreats, the frequency and location of which are determined by business needs. You must be a resident of Oregon or SW Washington.
• Application Period – Applications will be accepted from June 23, 2026 through July 1, 2026.

About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington:

At Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, it's our mission to build Girl Scouts of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Staff support a network of dedicated volunteers who bring Girl Scouts programming to youths in their community. Since 1912, Girl Scouts has supported children and young adults in achieving their full potential. Today, Girl Scouts stands as the preeminent leadership development organization for young women. With Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, you can make a difference in the lives of Girl Scouts, adult volunteers, and the world.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

We encourage, value, and honor diversity and support a culture of equity and inclusion. We are committed to fostering diversity at every level of the organization and seek candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer.

We recognize that a commitment to these values is a living commitment that requires attention, reflection, and continual action. All employees must support these efforts and participate in training, projects, and initiatives to forward this work. Click here to read our complete Equity Statement.

How to Apply:

Submit your application via our Careers site.