Youth Development Specialist

Description:

Department: RCCYC — Youth Leadership & Service
Reports To: Youth Leadership & Service Manager
Direct Reports: None
Position Type: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Our Mission

The ROCK Community Center for Youth & Children (RCCYC) champions the development of healthy, whole, and resilient youth and children in Arlington Woods and beyond. The Center provides safe, accessible, high-quality, holistic programs and support services for K–12 youth and their families, spanning education, recreation, leadership, and enrichment.

Your Role in Our Mission

The Youth Development Specialist is RCCYC's direct, daily point of connection with the K-12 youth in its care. Working under the Youth Leadership & Service Manager and supporting the Director of Programming's broader vision for programming, this role facilitates programs and helps build the transformative environment RCCYC exists to provide. This position replaces what was previously an informal "mentor" role: where "mentor" described a relationship, Youth Development Specialist describes a trained, accountable practice — structured, intentional engagement that models growth for every child, in every interaction, not just during scheduled activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Program Facilitation

? Facilitate assigned leadership, service, and general K-12 programming activities per the plans set by the Youth Leadership & Service Manager.

? Prepare activities, materials, and spaces before each session; help design age-appropriate programming alongside the Manager.

? Stay actively engaged with youth throughout programming — present and participating, not supervising from the sideline.

Youth Development & Relationship-Building

? Build consistent, professional, trust-based relationships with assigned youth.

? Model RCCYC's mission-aligned, professional standard of conduct in every interaction, including under pressure — the practiced presence established in staff training, not an unstructured personal style.

? Recognize and respond to each child's individual needs, strengths, and behavior with a developmental mindset, helping them practice new responses rather than simply managing the moment.

Safety, Behavior & Protocol

? Maintain appropriate youth-to-staff ratios and active supervision at all times.

? Apply RCCYC's de-escalation and behavior-management practices consistently; escalate per protocol rather than handling incidents alone.

? Follow entry-control and registration-verification protocol; redirect any unregistered youth or visitor to the front desk rather than admitting informally.

? Document incidents, concerns, and notable behavior per RCCYC procedure.

Team & Program Support

? Share observations and feedback with the Youth Leadership & Service Manager on program delivery, youth engagement, and individual youth needs.

? Coordinate with fellow Youth Development Specialists and other program staff to ensure consistent coverage and a unified standard across shifts.

? Participate fully in all required training, including the professionalism, safety, and de-escalation modules.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Required: High school diploma or equivalent; experience working with K-12 youth (paid or volunteer); ability to build rapport with youth while holding a consistent professional standard; reliable and punctual for assigned shifts; open to coaching and feedback.

Preferred: Some college coursework or a degree in education, youth development, social work, or related field; prior experience in an afterschool, camp, or youth-serving program.

Certifications: CPR/First Aid (or within 60 days); Mandated Reporter training; background check clearance.

Competencies

Youth Engagement & Relationship-Building · Professional Presence Under Pressure · Reliability · Behavior Management & De-escalation · Collaboration · Coachability

Physical/Work Conditions

Active, youth-centered environment; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; part-time schedule aligned to assigned program shifts, which may include after-school, evening, or school-break hours.