Youth Engagement Manager

Position Overview:

The Youth Engagement Manager will lead the revitalization and expansion of Kinston Teens’ Youth Leadership Council (YLC) and implement a comprehensive calendar of youth-centered, trauma-informed, healing-centered programs focused on leadership development, civic engagement, mental health, and community impact. The YLC is a youth-driven advisory body that provides leadership development, civic engagement opportunities, and hands-on experience in community organizing. This individual will play a key role in ensuring youth voice, leadership, and well-being are integrated across Kinston Teens’ programming, particularly as part of a broader collaborative initiative to improve mental health outcomes and build resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

Youth Engagement & Leadership Development

• Rebuild and expand the Youth Leadership Council, including recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing support of members.
• Facilitate regular YLC and Youth Member meetings, retreats, and leadership development trainings.
• Mentor youth participants and foster a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment.
• Integrate youth voice and leadership into local civic engagement opportunities.

Program Implementation

• Plan and implement youth programs at the Kinston Teens Office, Digital Resource Lab, and East Kinston Neighborhood Hub, including service-learning, wellness workshops, drop-in activities, and advocacy training.
• Coordinate Teen Mental Health First Aid trainings and resilience-building initiatives.
• Implement a youth peer leadership model, supporting youth in facilitating and co-leading meetings, events, and discussions.

Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with project partners including Act Now Community Development Corporation and the NC Climate Justice Collective to deliver trauma-informed, family-centered, and culturally responsive programming.
• Coordinate with local schools, youth organizations, and service providers to connect youth to resources and opportunities.

Outreach & Advocacy

• Work with Kinston Teens communications staff, YLC members, and organization partners to promote youth programming via social media, schools, community events, and neighborhood outreach.
• Develop projects and coordinate efforts across Kinston Teens programs and our broader partner ecosystem that support youth in developing public speaking, storytelling, and advocacy skills to uplift their voices and experiences.

Administration & Evaluation

• Maintain attendance and participation records for youth volunteers and participants, collect feedback, and contribute to evaluation and reporting processes, particularly utilizing Google Workspace tools or the organization’s CRM, EveryAction.
• Prepare regular program updates and success stories for funders and partners.
• Provide peer supervision to the Digital Literacy Coordinator and direct supervision to the Youth Engagement Assistant.

Other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Youth Development, Education, Political Science, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field preferred. Relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum two years of experience working with youth or in community engagement roles.
• Strong commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and trauma-informed practices.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an intergenerational and multicultural environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Work Environment:

This position will primarily work indoors at the Kinston Teens Office or the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub. There will be occasional outdoor events and field work, such as event tabling, canvassing, or supervising volunteer projects during which sufficient mobility is required to navigate uneven terrain. We believe in fostering a healthy work-life balance and provide a flexible work environment that aligns with our mission of serving the community on days and times most accessible to those most impacted by our programs. Kinston Teens occasionally hosts evening or weekend meetings or events, in which this position will be required to lead or supervise.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: $48,000 to $52,000 annually dependent on experience and qualifications, based on 40 hours/week.
• Scheduling & Flexibility: This role entails four in-person workdays per week and one remote workday per week. We prioritize accommodating our team members' and community’s needs and encourage open communication about scheduling preferences.
• Cell Phone & Internet Reimbursement: We acknowledge that working from home requires using your own internet and phone for work purposes so we offer a set reimbursement amount for cell phone and internet usage.
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans: Kinston Teens offers multiple medical insurance plans with 80 to 100% employer paid premiums, and 100% employer paid dental and vision plans.
• We offer a professional development fund, to be used for books, training, or certifications to bolster your skills, knowledge, and capabilities.
• 12 paid holidays, 7.5 paid vacation days, 7.5 paid sick days, and 3 paid wellness days each year.
• Annual office holiday closure from December 21 to January 3.

Additional Information:

This is a grant-funded position for a 36-month term, with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2025. While the position is initially funded through this period, there is strong potential for continued employment beyond the grant term, contingent upon the program’s success and securing additional funding.