Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development (Volunteer)

Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning | Education Division

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer

Reports To: Chief of Education

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, academic enrichment, and creative expression. At MAP, social-emotional learning is foundational—not supplemental—to academic success, safety, and belonging.

MAP’s SEL and youth development work centers emotional safety, trauma-informed practice, and the belief that young people thrive when their identities, voices, and lived experiences are honored.

About the Department of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development

The Department of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development ensures that SEL is thoughtfully embedded across all curricula, programs, and learning environments. The department oversees trauma-informed practice, youth voice initiatives, and developmental alignment to ensure students experience consistency, care, and belonging across MAP programs.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development to lead MAP’s SEL strategy and youth development framework. This senior leadership role ensures SEL is integrated across curriculum and programs while maintaining strong trauma-informed standards and emotionally safe learning environments.

The Director works closely with the Chief of Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Afterschool & Enrichment, Mentor Training, and Legal / PromiseTrust teams to ensure SEL practices align with child safety, ethics, and developmental best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Embed SEL principles across all curricula, programs, and learning environments
• Oversee trauma-informed practice standards and implementation
• Lead youth voice, identity, and belonging initiatives across MAP programs
• Ensure emotional safety and developmental alignment across age groups
• Collaborate with curriculum and program leadership to integrate SEL effectively
• Partner with mentor training teams to ensure SEL practices are implemented with fidelity
• Support continuous improvement through observation, feedback, and reflection
• Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via email and chat in Google Workspace

Units Overseen

• SEL Framework & Integration Unit
• Trauma-Informed Practice Unit
• Youth Engagement & Identity Development Unit

Qualifications

• Experience in SEL leadership, youth development, education, or social work
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed systems and practices
• Experience embedding SEL across curricula or programs
• Ability to lead collaboratively across education, program, and legal teams
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in nonprofit or community-based youth programs
• Familiarity with culturally responsive and identity-affirming practices
• Experience supporting mentors, facilitators, or educators
• Background in developmental psychology, education, or social-emotional learning
• Experience supporting distributed or hybrid learning environments

Commitment

• Volunteer senior leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Senior leadership experience shaping SEL and youth development strategy
• Direct impact on emotional safety, belonging, and student outcomes
• Collaboration with executive leadership and cross-functional teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• A meaningful role advancing trauma-informed, identity-affirming education

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant SEL or youth development leadership experience and interest in MAP’s mission

Help ensure MAP’s learning environments nurture emotional growth, identity, and belonging—so every young person can thrive.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.