Youth Empowerment Specialist

Job Summary 

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Reimagine Youth Development Program aims to provide young people between the ages of 14 and 21 years old by providing attentive care, mentorship, guidance, and programming that will positively impact their lives and improve their sense of direction and well-being. Youth Empowerment Specialists will be tasked with implementing Life Skills Programming, Civics Programming, as well as cultural artistic activities and sports and recreational programming.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide hands-on programming to youths of the Humboldt Park Community and surrounding areas that will positively affect their lives and improve their sense of well-being.
• Support the Program Coordinator in the organization of daily schedules and activities, and the implementation of programming. 
• Responsible for conducting initial intake assessments and enrollments for youths, as well as exit interviews to determine the success of the program. 
• Assist program and department staff with keeping tidy, clean, and safe work spaces.  
• Provide daily programming in one of the following areas: Life Skills, Civics, Arts and Culture, or Sports and Recreation. 
• Maintain proper communication with department staff and program leadership on questions or concerns regarding the program.  
• Be able to lift up to 50 lbs. 
• Build and foster relationships with community youths, partner agencies and school staff. 
• Identify youth crises and conflicts and be able to calmly intervene and de-escalate if needed
• Participates in organizational annual events including but not limited to the Puerto Rican People’s Parade, Fiesta Boricua, Three Kings Day, and Haunted Paseo Boricua

This position requires compliance with all of The PRCC’s written standards, including its Standards of Conduct, all policies and procedures, and Regulatory Compliance requirements. Compliance will be considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

 Qualifications: 

• Experience working with the youth in a school, or after-school setting 
• Strong sense of commitment to violence prevention and youth development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Work independently with strong sense of focus, task-oriented, nonjudgmental, open personal qualities, and clear sense of boundaries
• A passion in the arts, or sports and fitness is a plus
• Needs to pass the Biometrics Fingerprint Service
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish and English) 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

OSHA Category 3 – Involves no regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues are not a condition of employment.

Job Type: Part Time 

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that celebrates inclusion and diversity. The PRCC provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability,

genetic information, pregnancy, or any other basis or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, The PRCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.