Job Purpose/Summary
The Youth Program Specialist provides culturally responsive, strengths-based support services to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous youth. This position promotes positive youth development, cultural identity, resilience, educational success, behavioral health, and overall well-being through mentoring, advocacy and community engagement.
The Youth Program Specialist is responsible for recruiting and engaging American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous youth to participate in youth services at Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center. They will receive instruction on the Motivational Interviewing and Culture for Native American Youth (MICUNAY) curriculum and facilitate workshops (both virtual and in person) with this curriculum for youth ages 12-17 and 18-26. The Youth Program Specialist will also provide mentoring and peer support.
The Youth Program Specialist works collaboratively with youth, families, Tribal communities, elders, schools, behavioral health providers, and community partners to support youth in achieving their goals while honoring Indigenous values, traditions, and cultural practices. The position is expected to uphold principles of cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and community-centered service delivery.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Youth Engagement and Support
- Establish trusting, supportive relationships with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous youth.
- Develop workshop content, agendas, and learning materials to align with the desired outcomes and target audience. Place orders for materials (and food, if applicable) and secure a site, if necessary.
- Lead workshops by engaging participants through various interactive methods, encouraging discussions, and managing group dynamics. Ensure that workshops follow required procedures (e.g., sign-in sheets, surveys).
- Clearly communicate workshop objectives, expectations, and guidelines to participants, ensuring a shared understanding.
- Provide individual/group mentoring and peer support.
- Assist youth in identifying personal, educational, career, cultural, and wellness goals.
- Promote leadership development, self-advocacy, and life skills.
- Encourage healthy social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural development.
- Support youth participation in cultural, traditional, and community activities.
Cultural and Community-Based Services
- Incorporate Indigenous values, traditions, and cultural practices into service delivery.
- Strengthen cultural identity, community connections and sense of belonging.
- Collaborate with elders, cultural practitioners, Tribal representatives, and community leaders to support programming.
- Assist with planning and facilitating cultural events, workshops, and youth activities.
- Promote respect for cultural diversity and community traditions.
Documentation and Program Compliance
- Assist with data collection and reporting requirements for grants and contracts.
- Track program outcomes and performance measures.
- Collect participant feedback, evaluate workshop effectiveness, and make improvements.
- Ensure confidentiality and compliance with policies and applicable regulations.
- Keep supervisor(s) informed of any concerns or challenges.
Collaboration and Community Outreach
- Work with Youth Services Program Coordinators to maximize outreach via social media accounts by creating content, posting and interacting with community regularly.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, Tribal organizations, and community partners.
- Work with subcontractors to support in facilitating workshops; assist in ordering materials; ensure workshop procedures are followed; attend workshops to assist as needed.
- Conduct outreach and recruitment activities within Indigenous communities.
- Represent Sacred Path at community meetings, events, and cultural gatherings, as needed.
Other
Perform additional duties, as needed, in support of Sacred Path’s mission.
Experience & Qualifications
- Must be between 18 and 26 years of age (funding source requirement)
- Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills, capable of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Flexibility to adapt to different learning styles, participant backgrounds, and unexpected challenges.
- Effective organizational and time-management skills.
- Knowledge of positive youth development and trauma-informed care principles.
- Understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences impacting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous communities.
Flexible work from home options available.