College Fellow Facilitator (Part-Time)

The Gem Project, Inc.; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 11,159,000 - 13,390,000; Part time

Job summary

The Gem Project, Inc. in Newark, NJ, seeks a College Fellow Facilitator for the 2026-2027 academic year. This part-time, in-person role supports a cohort of 15 high school fellows, guiding weekly sessions, and helping build community engagement.

You will receive weekly coaching from the Program Manager, participate in 1,000 Turnout Sessions, and grow into future opportunities within the organization.

Qualifications

• Current or recent college student with a bold commitment to youth development and social justice.
• Direct experience with youth development or social justice organizations is preferred.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, in person and digital.

Responsibilities

• Deliver weekly curriculum sessions to a cohort of 15 fellows across fall and spring terms.
• Build a positive peer-mentoring environment and lead small groups, debriefs, and reflection sessions.
• Record attendance and session notes; support outreach and Youth Power Action platform.

Skills

Facilitation

Youth Development

Communication

Organizational Skills

Job description

The Gem Project, Inc. | Academic Year 2026 to 2027

OVERVIEW

Role type

Part-time academic year role, renewable annually

Rate

$20 per hour

Hours

15 hours per week

Location

Newark, New Jersey. In-person program days, plus field and community sites.

Reports to

Program Manager

Positions open

2

Monday, October 5, 2026 (paid training week)

Term

October 2026 through May 2027, following the academic calendar

ABOUT THE GEM PROJECT

The Gem Project, Inc. is a Newark-based 501(c)(3) that uses service-learning and youth organizing to increase civic engagement and grow the next generation of leaders. Since 2006 we have reached more than 3,500 youth through paid fellowships, civic engagement initiatives, and peer‑led projects. Our fellows take on everyday injustices across education, criminal justice, health, and democracy. Learn more at thegemproject.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The College Fellow Facilitator is a trained facilitator and cohort lead. Each facilitator carries a group of 15 high school fellows through the academic year curriculum, holding the program's 1 to 15 staff‑to‑student ratio. Outside of direct facilitation, this role helps build the youth base through 1,000 Turnout Sessions, YPA platform activation, and community organizing alongside the Youth Organizer.

This is a growth role. Facilitators are trained in curriculum delivery, group process, and youth development, with weekly coaching from the Program Manager. Strong performance opens the door to advanced fellow, organizer, or program staff roles in future cycles.

HOW THE WEEK WORKS

Roughly 4 hours per week are direct facilitation with your cohort, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The balance of the 15 hours is spread across session prep, fellow follow‑up, 1,000 Turnout Sessions, YPA platform engagement, and community outreach. You will also hold a weekly check‑in with the Program Manager and join a Friday team processing session with the full facilitator team. The exact schedule is set with the Program Manager during onboarding.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitation and cohort leadership

• Deliver weekly curriculum sessions to a cohort of 15 fellows across the fall and spring terms
• Build a positive peer‑mentoring environment where fellows feel seen, safe, and pushed to grow
• Lead small groups, working groups, debriefs, and reflection sessions
• Record and submit attendance and session notes to the Program Manager

Base-building and 1,000 Turnout Sessions

• Lead youth‑facing 1,000 Turnout Sessions in partnered schools and community sites
• Support the Youth Organizer with canvassing logistics, school outreach, and event follow‑up
• Post to and moderate the Youth Power Action platform (youthpoweraction.com)

Data and storytelling

• Submit weekly attendance, engagement, and follow‑up data to the program tracker
• Capture stories, photos, and video moments for program reports and social media
• Participate in weekly supervision, monthly cohort check‑ins, and end‑of‑term debriefs

WHAT WE EXPECT

THE RHYTHM OF THIS ROLE

A weekly structure you can count on: a standing check‑in with your Program Manager, program days with your cohort on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a Friday team processing session where facilitators reflect and plan together. Consistency in these three touchpoints is what makes the role work, for you and for the young people you lead.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Current or recent college student with a bold commitment to youth development, advocacy, and social justice
• Direct experience working or volunteering with a youth development or social justice organization (Gem Project alumni especially encouraged)
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, in person and digital
• Reliable, organized, and comfortable working across program days, community events, and occasional evenings
• Interest or experience working through a social change framework

ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR

Paid training week

October 5 through October 9, 2026

Fall term

Tuesday October 13 through Thursday December 17, 2026 (10 program weeks)

Winter break

December 18, 2026 through February 6, 2027 (unpaid)

Spring term

Tuesday February 9 through Thursday May 27, 2027 (16 program weeks)

Total paid weeks

27 weeks across the academic year

Program days are Tuesday and Thursday. Exact times set with the Program Manager. Final dates may shift slightly with the school calendar and are confirmed at onboarding.

RENEWAL

This role concludes on May 27, 2027. It is renewable for the following academic year and/or summer, but renewal is not automatic. Those who want to return submit a brief renewal application in the spring, and decisions are based on performance across the year. We say this plainly up front so that returning is something you earn, not something you wonder about.

The Gem Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate and center diversity. We extend equal opportunities to employees, job applicants, interns, and volunteers regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.