Part-Time Youth Program Assistant at The Bureau of Fearless Ideas

Do you believe in the magic of stories? At Fearless Ideas, we know that words can open worlds, and we’re looking for a part-time Program Assistant to help us welcome young writers into that world each week.

This role is perfect for someone who loves creativity (in any form—painting, poetry, dance, baking, beat-making, doodling in the margins…) and has experience working with young people in classroom or afterschool settings. You don’t need to be a professional writer, but you do need to believe that every young person has a story worth telling.

About Us

The Bureau of Fearless Ideas is a nonprofit creative writing and storytelling organization where young people (ages 6–18) discover the power of their own voice. We believe that words and stories matter, and that every student is already brimming with creativity, brilliance, and possibility.

Position Details

Hours: 4-4.5 hours per week

Schedule:

• Wednesdays, 2:30–4:30 PM
• Thursdays, 3:45–5:45 PM
• Arrive 15 minutes before scholars arrive (paid)
• Occasional opportunities to support weekend workshops and field trips

Pay: $25 - $27 per hour

Location: The Bureau of Fearless Ideas, Yesler Terrace

What You’ll Do

As Program Assistant, you’ll be the steady and welcoming presence that helps our afterschool programs run smoothly. Working side-by-side with the Program Manager you will:

• Take attendance, track data, keep deadlines, and help keep us organized.
• Administer feedback surveys and monitor towards completion.
• Go over daily agenda with Program Manager before session
• Help to greet every student, family member and volunteer with warmth and readiness
• Follow direction of Program Manager on participating in range of activities: set up, writing, games, clean up
• Call parents or guardians if youth are late or need follow-up.
• Learn games, icebreakers and regulation techniques and be prepared to lead as Program Manager engages 1 on 1
• Support students in storytelling and creative writing prompts
• Use social emotional learning techniques to provide encouragement and inspiration
• Help keep the energy balanced: calm when needed, playful when possible.
• Provide program feedback to Program Manager
• Participate in YPQ (Youth Program Quality) training through Schools Out Washington (SOWA).

What We’re Looking For

This job is great for creatives, someone interested in going deeper into education, learning more about cutting-edge teaching artistry or youth work, community development and advocacy, arts therapy, or for someone who loves working with young folks but has another focus in their main job. A background in education, psychology, or social work is a plus.

At BFI, we believe that working with young people is deep & joyful work. The best Program Assistants are those who light up when kids walk into the room, who can laugh at a silly pun, who take genuine delight in a 9-year-old’s wild story idea about time-traveling llamas. If being around youth and their imagination energizes you, you’ll be a perfect fit.

• Background check (required)
• Child abuse prevention training online course (required)
• Experience with administrative tasks and tracking deadlines (required).
• Experience working with youth (required - can be early in your career)
• A creative spirit—your art form might be writing, music, visual art, performance, or something else entirely.
• Applicants from the Yesler Terrace area are especially encouraged to apply, as community familiarity is a valued asset.
• Comfort and excitement, experience working with or within communities of color is highly valued.
• Reliability, adaptability, and a sense of humor.
• Candidates looking to expand their Diversity / Equity / Belonging experiences
• Candidates looking for community building experience / advocacy
• Someone who will consistently embody our community agreements: Creativity / Kindness / Fearlessness

The Poets in the Basement

You’ll find yourself working on the first floor of a 9 story apartment building, in a beautiful, well designed teaching space, where families pass outside our door everyday and knock to say hello. Sometimes we even refer to ourselves as the Poets in the Basement!

As an employee, you’ll always have support—working side-by-side with a highly experienced staff member. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is at the heart of our work, supporting both academic and personal growth.

What to Expect in the Community at Yesler Terrace

Fearless Ideas at Yesler Terrace is located at Hoa Mai in the Seattle Housing Authority Yesler campus; a vibrant affordable income community filled with culture, high energy, and creativity. You’ll be working in a place where families bring their own traditions, languages, and perspectives, and where imaginations are shaped by the people and ideas that surround us.

DATES/TIMES:

Desired start date of October 27. Position ends on June 12th.

The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas is an equal opportunity employer.