Middle School Cohort Lead

BSA is a non-profit organization in DC that concentrates its efforts on empowering Black youth through Civic Leadership and Engagement. We are committed to creating a pipeline of Black youth leaders who are committed to improving self, as well as their communities. We have a proven track record of raising awareness around social issues disproportionately harming Black youth and advocating for the elimination of structural and institutional barriers such as inequitable school funding, punitive school discipline policies and practices and police in schools, as well as insufficient student mental health staffing. The work we do is directed by BSA’s middle and high school youth members that learn, unlearn ,gain skills and practice them to move issue-based campaigns forward.

Job Description

We are seeking a creative, passionate, action-oriented Middle School Cohort Lead, who is committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment for young people to lead. This position will be responsible for recruiting youth, outreach, partnership engagement, planning and facilitating workshops/meetings and supporting community outreach events, direct actions and youth-led advocacy efforts. Ultimately, this position will be helping organize the youth in their cohort(s) and supporting those youth in their own organizing and advocacy efforts. This position may also be responsible for supervising mentors and volunteers. This position will be supervised by the Middle School Program Manager.

Responsibilities

Youth Recruitment & Outreach

• Recruit and/or retain 10-12 active youth, per middle school cohort
• Track youth attendance in assigned cohort(s), identify patterns, and report to Middle School Program Manager
• Table and hold informational sessions as needed to support recruitment and base building
• Conduct regular check-ins and 1:1s with BSA youth members

Partnership & Parent Engagement

• Support Middle School Program Manager in cultivating and strengthening relationships with school partners
• Support Program team in identifying creative ways to engage parents in the work
• Maintain consistent communication with parents/caregivers

Lead Weekly Middle School Programming

• Design and facilitate interactive lesson plans each week for each assigned cohort;
• Foster environment for youth to lead, make decisions, and strategize;
• Manage cohort(s) chosen school-based advocacy campaign;
• Invite guest speakers and facilitators to sessions as needed;
• Supervise mentors and volunteers that are placed at your site;
• Foster an emotionally supportive environment in which youth can ask for connections to resources, including mutual aid
• Coordinate transportation for youth following programming and to and from special events

Support BSA Team

• Cover facilitation for other middle school cohort leads as needed and available
• Provide classroom support during programs for cohorts facilitated by other cohort leads
• Support Middle School Program Coordinator in creating and facilitating successful relationship-building opportunities for youth outside of regular programming
• Attend BSA events outside of regular programming to help engage youth from assigned cohorts, coordinate transportation, and other responsibilities as needed
• Maintain records for youth, track attendance, and support data collection and evaluation efforts.

Organizing & Advocacy

• Manage school-based advocacy campaigns at assigned schools
• Support cohort in building their own organizing skills
• Support youth in the creation and implementation of Black Youth Agenda
• Assist in preparing youth to engage in various campaign tactics (testifying, meetings, interviews, direct actions, service projects)

The Middle School Cohort Lead will be asked to complete additional tasks in support of these goals and have the same administrative responsibilities as all other full-time staff.

*Lead will be working on-site at a school location in SE DC, as well as occasionally in our office in NW DC*

Qualifications:

• Desired:
  • At least one year experience participating in both short and long-term projects at the same time
  • At least one year supporting advocacy and organizing efforts
  • Demonstrated commitment to youth leadership, racial equity, and systemic change
  • Experience working or living in the DC area
  • 2-5 years of experience working with youth
  • 1-3 years of experience facilitating trainings or workshops
• Required:
  • Ability to secure a DCPS clearance
  • Authorization to work in the United States
  • Availability to consistently cover assigned cohorts and attend required staff meetings and events

Commitment to Equity and Diversity

We are on a mission to create a pipeline of Black youth leaders that are committed to improving themselves as well as their communities. Black Swan Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, parenthood, or any protected characteristic. We encourage all qualified applicants, including native Washingtonians, People of Color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and/or formerly incarcerated people, to apply.