Youth Engagement Assistant – AmeriCorps

About SchoolTalk

Founded in 2008, SchoolTalk, Inc. is a District of Columbia-based nonprofit whose goal is to help youth with disabilities and their peers thrive in school and achieve fulfilling post-secondary outcomes by creating spaces that emphasize self-determination, community-building, and inclusion. SchoolTalk supports the D.C. education community in collaboratively addressing complex challenges and creating practical solutions for assisting youth of all abilities achieve success. SchoolTalk’s programs actively work to improve postsecondary outcomes for youth through both proactive initiatives—such as youth leadership and mentoring, skill-building, and workforce development—and direct intervention to resolve issues in productive ways, such as mediation and restorative justice. SchoolTalk has two key program areas: inclusive education and restorative justice.

Position Summary

SchoolTalk is seeking AmeriCorps members to serve as Youth Engagement Assistants. In this role, members will support direct service youth programs, including but not limited to school- and community-based workshops, short-term work-based learning experiences (WBLE), and small-group internships. Youth Engagement Assistants will serve as part of a three-member AmeriCorps cohort, collaborating to expand SchoolTalk’s capacity to provide individualized support, skill-building, mentoring, and leadership opportunities for youth—particularly youth with disabilities—across Washington, D.C. AmeriCorps members will report directly to SchoolTalk’s Operations Director. Through hands-on program delivery, mentoring, and facilitation, Youth Engagement Assistants help young people build self-determination, strengthen workplace readiness skills, and prepare for meaningful futures. This position is ideal for individuals passionate about youth development, creative expression, social justice, and education equity. AmeriCorps members will gain professional experience in program management, facilitation, communications, and evaluation while making a direct impact on D.C. students

Youth Programming Implementation

This position involves providing assistance to students with a wide range of disabilities through programs that promote their meaningful participation and foster inclusive environments.

• Co-facilitate creative and career-readiness workshops in photography, videography, music production, visual art, fashion design, civic engagement, and self-advocacy.
• Support work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) such as job shadowing, service learning, workplace tours, and internships by actively coordinating with SchoolTalk staff and helping youth build workplace skills.
• Assist SchoolTalk staff in implementing small-group internships by supporting workplace readiness training, travel training, and job coaching at community worksites. Actively engage with students and staff to assess needs and problem-solve. Internship programs include Creative Careers, Careers that Create Change, JumpStart, Our School Our Voice, and the Youth-Driven Council.
• Assist with student-led dialogue and leadership activities in the Our School Our Voice program, including co-facilitating peer discussions and supporting citywide convenings.
• Support the Youth-Driven Council (YDC) by mentoring youth leaders, assisting with recruitment and onboarding, and facilitating opportunities for youth to engage in advocacy, decision-making, and project leadership.
• Assist with planning and implementing SchoolTalk’s Voices of Change Conference and other youth advocacy events, helping youth prepare and lead workshops, panels, and presentations.
• Contribute to storytelling efforts through social media content, videos, and other communications that highlight youth achievements.

Professional Development & Capacity Building

• Identify and engage in regular professional development focused on youth engagement, disability inclusion, restorative justice, and creative youth development.
• Build transferable skills in facilitation, program management, evaluation, and communications.
• Support the collection of program evaluation data (attendance, skill assessments, surveys, feedback) to measure impact and inform continuous improvement.
• Participation in at least three (3) National Days of Service, as well as ongoing required training and professional development.

Terms & Program Benefits

• This is an AmeriCorps Membership and not a staff or volunteer position.
• Full-time in-person position with occasional telework options based on programming needs
• AmeriCorps members will be based at the SchoolTalk office. Program activities will also take place at various sites throughout the DMV area, including DC public and charter schools, business partners, and other community locations.
• Eleven-month service term from November 1, 2025 (or start date) through September 30, 2026
• Must complete at least 1700 service hours during the service term
• $2,272.72 monthly stipend (up to $25,000 over the term of service), paid bi-weekly.
• $100 monthly travel stipend
• Health insurance
• Enrollment as an AmeriCorps service member. See www.americorps.gov for details.
• Eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (amount determined by the National Americorps Office) upon successful completion of your service term. This award can be applied to eligible student loans, tuition, and other education-related expenses.
• Leadership skill development and valuable experience for a career in education and youth development
• 14 Paid Federal Holidays

Qualifications

Required

• Be at least 18 years of age
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
• At a minimum, the candidate must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service.
• A passion for youth engagement, youth development and supporting youth with disabilities
• Previous experience working with young adults
• Criminal history background checks are conducted on all AmeriCorps members when an offer is made. The term of service is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. The results of state and FBI criminal history background checks and national sexual offender checks through the National Sex Offender Public Registry Website are considered.
• Located in the District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Metropolitan Area and able to travel throughout the District of Columbia to implement programming.

Preferred

• 1-2 years of experience in youth/community engagement, advocacy, or related fields.
• Additional experience as a youth advocate in a local organization is preferred.
• Passionate about engaging and empowering youth.
• Experienced in working with diverse communities and integrating into schools, especially youth with disabilities.
• Strong work ethic, exceptional time management, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a focus on confidentiality and attention to detail.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google applications (such as Google Docs and Sheets).
• Demonstrates cultural competence and empowerment of marginalized communities.
• Graduate of D.C. schools.

• This is an AmeriCorps Membership and not a staff or volunteer position.
• Full-time in-person position with occasional telework options based on programming needs
• AmeriCorps members will be based at the SchoolTalk office. Program activities will also take place at various sites throughout the DMV area, including DC public and charter schools, business partners, and other community locations.
• Eleven-month service term from November 1, 2025 (or start date) through September 30, 2026
• Must complete at least 1700 service hours during the service term
• $2,272.72 monthly stipend (up to $25,000 over the term of service), paid bi-weekly.
• $100 monthly travel stipend
• Health insurance
• Enrollment as an AmeriCorps service member. See www.americorps.gov for details.
• Eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (amount determined by the National Americorps Office) upon successful completion of your service term. This award can be applied to eligible student loans, tuition, and other education-related expenses.
• Leadership skill development and valuable experience for a career in education and youth development
• 14 Paid Federal Holidays