Job Description Overview 

The Positive Youth Development (PYD) Specialist facilitates educational and community-based programs while building relationships with LGBTQIA2+ young people (ages 13-24) through a framework of positive youth development. The PYD Specialist is a part of the Inside Programs Team, which is responsible for the development, delivery, and assessment of LGBTQIA2+ youth/young adult support group curricula, life skills development, leadership programs, comprehensive sexual education, and additional special programs and events. The PYD Specialist is responsible for implementing programming surrounding identity development, mental health, sexual health, gender expression, resources, and community resilience. The PYD Specialist supervises interns working in the area of youth development in program design and facilitation.  

This position works in a physical drop-in community center in addition to supporting programs on a virtual space.  

 

Administrative Details 

  • Reports to: Director of Strategic Initiatives 

  • Employment Type: Full-time non-exempt 

  • Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (hours may shift during summer when school is not in session; some weekends may be required) 

  • Salary: $57,784-$70k  

  • IOYS offers employees a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), FAMLI, vacation time, sick leave, holiday leave, pride rest, bereavement, pet insurance, accident insurance, and TriNet Perks 

  • Location: Colorado Springs, CO 

Responsibilities 

*Additional Duties as assigned. 

 

Program Responsibilities  

  • Build relationships with Inside Out participants aged 13-24, modelling strong boundaries, embody IOYS team values, and create and maintain a safe/brave space 

  • Supervise and support young people during drop-in and programming hours, both in the physical center and virtual space 

  • Develop program series for groups in advance, to include grant-required programs, youth-requested programs, and new initiatives designed to engage youth/young adults 

  • Develop and facilitate programming around topics of identity development, mental health, sexual health, gender expression, and community resilience 

  • Supervise long-term student internships in the areas of youth development 

  • Oversee field trips and community outings to enhance access to the community for LGBTQIA2+ young people 

  • Refer youth to appropriate resources, to include crisis services, clinician, and external or services 

  • Employ restorative practices to resolve conflict in the space among young people 

  • Works with the Inside Programs Team to assess programs, staying up to date on current approaches to positive youth development and age-appropriate sexuality and relationship education 

  • Coordinate workshops, presenters, volunteers, and guest speakers that support program initiatives and allow youth leaders to present and gain skills 

  • Assist with planning and implementing special events for youth/young adults/families, incorporating youth/young adult input and collaboration 

  • Promote special events for youth/young adults in collaboration with communications and events teams and actively recruit participants for programs 

  • Conduct tours of center as needed, including youth orientation 

 

Administration  

  • Maintain confidential youth records daily through enrollment interviews, notes, attendance, data entry, and incident reporting 

  • Comply with all mandatory reporter regulations; Fill out incident reports and support volunteers with incident reports when needed; Employ restorative practices to resolve conflict in the space among youth 

  • Administers program surveys in compliance with grant contracts and, when applicable, provides completed documents to Director of Strategic Initiatives 

  • Coordinate schedules with Inside Programs Team and Director of Strategic Initiatives to ensure coverage in the community center 

  • Refer youth to appropriate resources, to include crisis services, clinician, and external or services    

  • Respond to program inquiries, emails, phone calls, and Discord messages  

  • Maintain a youth center that is safe, tidy, clean, and welcoming 

 

Qualifications 

Required Education and Experience 

  • Associate’s Degree or at least 2 years of paid work experience in youth/young adult development 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • 2 year of paid work experience with curriculum implementation and/or group facilitation 

  • Demonstrated ability to set, model, and support healthy boundaries in a youth/young adult community 

  • Competency and comfortability with discussing difficult topics with youth/young adults 

  • Capacity to naturally engage with youth/young adults 

  • Proficient knowledge of the Microsoft suite, as well as a capacity to quickly learn new software. 

  • Ability to handle and maintain confidential data 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail, and interpersonal skills. 

  • Exceptional detail orientation and ability to create and follow routine administrative practices such as record keeping 

  • Creative and adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing, and following through; able to balance multiple competing priorities. 

  • Ability to work as a team member but also be a proactive self-starter, able to work well under pressure and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.  

  • Shows flexibility to actively support change to meet strategic goals. 

  • Ability to act professionally in high stress situations, including the flexibility to shift plans as needed to respond to urgent youth center scenarios 

  • High sense of responsibility and commitment to the mission and policies/procedures of IOYS. 

  • Access to reliable transportation to/from the community center, to attend offsite meetings in the community, and/or accomplish job related errands  

Preferred 

  • Competency in anti-racism and anti-oppression 

  • Experience with drop-in center atmosphere 

  • Experience with the Pikes Peak Region; familiarity with partner organizations and established relationships within the nonprofit and human/social services community 

  • Previous experience working with high-risk youth and vulnerable communities, especially LGBTQIA2+ youth and families  

  • Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with personal motor vehicle insurance. 

 

The requirements listed above are guidelines. If you feel you can perform this role we encourage you to apply. “Experience” refers to both paid and unpaid work, including volunteer, student and pro-bono work, all of which meaningfully contribute to your skillset, knowledge, and competencies. You can boost your application by showing us you can do the work required of this role, and explaining how you are acquiring any skills that will help you excel in this work in the future. 

Typical Work Environment 

Office setting with occasional work outside the community center, both at external venues and outdoors with some work at a computer station and some work that requires movement around the community center. Position requires the ability to occasionally stand for extended periods of time. Position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of safety. 

About Us 

Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in 1990 to build access, equity, and power with LGBTQIA2+ youth of the Pikes Peak region. We are the primary LGBTQIA2+ nonprofit community serving LGBTQIA2+ youth (ages 13-24) in El Paso County. We provide a safe space for gender and sexuality diverse youth and young adults to grow their identities, learn leadership skills and develop the tools needed to both thrive personally and to act as agents of change in their communities. We also provide outreach education throughout the region to create a supportive climate for LGBTQIA2+ youth. IOYS accomplishes these goals through our weekly programming, targeted leadership development opportunities, community partnerships, and through educational outreach to local school systems, healthcare agencies, and other groups providing education and care to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. 

Our Team and What We Value 

At IOYS, all staff members are expected to exemplify established team values that include but are not limited to collegiality, respect, accountability, collaboration, and adaptability. In doing so, we model the behaviors and attitudes we ask of our young people, essential to creating a welcoming, radically inclusive, safe and brave space where all people can learn and grow. We are representatives of Inside Out in all we do and say—wherever we are—and it is therefore of utmost importance that all team members exhibit maturity and good judgement through their words and actions. A community center environment is fast paced where priorities and needs rapidly shift and evolve based on the needs of the agency and the young people we serve. Therefore, all staff are expected to own their mindset, adapt to change swiftly, and contribute to a positive and powerful team environment.  

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. 

 

To Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter by Wednesday, April 1 at 12pm.