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About the Role

The Youth Program Specialist role involves delivering high-quality literacy, academic enrichment, and culturally responsive programming rooted in the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School model. This role combines classroom teaching, youth development, and family engagement to create a joyful, safe, and culturally affirming environment for K-8 elementary scholars.

Responsibilities

• Deliver daily lessons using the CDF Freedom School Integrated Reading Curriculum, supporting scholars’ literacy growth, social-emotional development, and cultural identity.
• Facilitate Harambee as a culturally grounded community-building practice.
• Create a safe, structured, and stimulating classroom environment that centers Black joy, belonging, and early childhood development.
• Develop age-appropriate lesson plans and enrichment activities aligned with Freedom School themes and BTWCSC values.
• Support students’ academic success through one-on-one, small-group, and whole-group instruction.
• Model positive behavior and foster consistent routines, expectations, and classroom rituals.
• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers to support scholar progress and deepen family partnership.
• Implement culturally sustaining pedagogy that honors scholars’ lived experiences and cultural backgrounds.
• Support identity formation for young children, cultivating confidence, curiosity, and self-expression.
• Encourage leadership development through voice, choice, and cooperative learning structures.
• Promote emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy peer relationships.
• Set up and break down the classroom daily; maintain bulletin boards, learning stations, and student work displays.
• Support Level 1 program operations by collecting and documenting basic data, including attendance, participation notes, behavior observations, and supporting the administration of scholar and family surveys as directed.
• Supervise youth during transitions, playtime, field trips, meals, and enrichment blocks.
• Assist with snack distribution, safety protocols, attendance tracking, and emergency procedures.
• Support and participate in field trips, family engagement events, showcases, and center-wide activities.
• Collaborate with enrichment partners and support instructors in classroom management.
• Attend all required staff meetings, professional development, and Freedom School trainings.

Requirements

• Valid Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Education, Child Development, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience working with young children (K–2nd), preferably in school or youth program settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and the unique needs of Black, Brown, and marginalized communities.
• Ability to design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons.
• Strong classroom management rooted in compassion, structure, and youth empowerment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Emotional maturity, integrity, and commitment to BTWCSC’s mission.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Food Safety/ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and remain active throughout the shift.
• Familiarity with Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom School, culturally responsive teaching, or literacy intervention models.
• Experience working in community-based organizations or expanded learning programs.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

Skills

• Classroom management
• Instructional expertise
• Creativity
• Warmth
• Youth empowerment
• Literacy justice
• Culturally sustaining pedagogy
• Trauma-informed approach
• Social-emotional learning
• Identity-affirming instruction
• Family engagement
• Problem-solving

Location

• San Francisco, CA

Work Type

• Full-Time
• In-Person
• On-site

Experience Level

• Minimum two years of experience working with young children (K–2nd)

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree
• Valid Teaching Credential

Salary/Compensations

• $74,000 - $76,000

Benefits

• 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off, including 15 days of vacation, holidays, and Center seasonal breaks/closures
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Monthly wellness benefit after 90 days
• Access to daily hot meals and snacks
• Commuter benefits after 90 days
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match (1% employee contribution required)
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences, seminars, webinars, and trainings

About the Company

• Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC) is one of the Bay Area’s oldest Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations, with 106 years of service to San Francisco.
• A beacon of Black joy and self-determination, we have nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans.
• We stand embedded as an anchor institution, fostering intergenerational bonds and working in solidarity with allied communities to reform and reimagine a more inclusive San Francisco.
• We prioritize serving the Black community, and we welcome all individuals from all cultures and ages, from 0 to 99, who walk through our door.
• We are one of the few urban spaces where anyone in the community can access comprehensive services, ranging from a hot meal to childcare, academic support, and senior services.

Equal Opportunity

• BTWCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce.
• All employment decisions are based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other protected status.
• In accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.