Cornerstone Membership Specialist

Paycom - ATS; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

El Puente in Brooklyn seeks a Cornerstone Membership Specialist to support the implementation of its Membership Model for elementary and middle school participants. The role centers on youth engagement, mentoring, leadership development, and membership retention, working closely with youth, families, and community partners to create meaningful pathways and supportive experiences.

The position emphasizes relationship-building, inclusivity, and active participation in activities that foster civic

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with youth ages 5–13.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation and ongoing development of El Puente's Membership Model.
• Coordinate Welcoming Period and orientation process for prospective members and families.
• Support participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, and engagement efforts.
• Monitor membership participation and engagement to ensure youth remain connected to programming.
• Help maintain accurate membership records and documentation.
• Provide one-on-one and small group mentoring for elementary and middle school participants.
• Facilitate leadership workshops, service-learning projects, and community-building activities.
• Ensure participant safety and supervise groups in community settings.

Skills

Youth development

Mentoring

Relationship-building

Facilitation

Communication

Conflict resolution

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or two years of college

Job description

## **The Opportunity**El Puente is seeking a thoughtful, relationship-centered, and youth-focused Cornerstone Membership Specialist to support the implementation of El Puente's Membership Model within its Cornerstone Leadership Centers.This role is an opportunity to help create a welcoming and transformative experience for young people as they engage in El Puente's leadership development, mentoring, arts, academic enrichment, and community-building programs. The Cornerstone Membership Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring that youth feel connected, supported, and empowered throughout their membership journey. Working closely with program leadership, youth workers, facilitators, families, and community partners, the Cornerstone Membership Specialist will help strengthen participant engagement, support individual and collective mentoring structures, facilitate leadership development opportunities, and ensure the integrity of El Puente's Membership Process.This role is ideal for someone who believes deeply in youth development, values relationship-building as a tool for transformation, and understands the importance of creating spaces where young people can explore their identities, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful connections with their community.## **About El Puente**Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered human rights organization rooted in Brooklyn, New York and Puerto Rico, using the arts, education, environmental justice, and community organizing as tools to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice.For over four decades, El Puente has been building community-led movements grounded in self-determination, where young people, families, and communities are not only participants, but leaders shaping the future of their neighborhoods and beyond. Through a holistic leadership and membership model, the organization creates spaces where culture, identity, civic engagement, and activism intersect.El Puente’s work spans Youth Leadership Centers across Brooklyn, a nationally recognized public high school, environmental justice initiatives, and organizing efforts that place community voice at the center of change. From local neighborhoods to global conversations, the organization continues to stand at the forefront of movements for equity, climate justice, and human rights.At its core, El Puente is deeply relational, intergenerational, and community-rooted. The work is dynamic and responsive, grounded in the lived experiences of the communities it serves.## **The Role**The Membership Specialist serves as a key member of the Leadership Center team and is responsible for supporting the implementation and ongoing development of El Puente's Membership Model for elementary and middle school participants.Reporting to the Program Director and Assistant Program Director, this role focuses on participant engagement, mentoring, leadership development, and membership retention. The Membership Specialist will work directly with youth and families to create meaningful pathways for participation while ensuring that members receive the support necessary to thrive within the program.This role will coordinate membership activities, facilitate leadership and mentoring opportunities, oversee welcoming and onboarding processes, and support youth as they progress through El Puente's membership journey.This is a highly relational and hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with young people and believes in the power of mentoring, leadership development, and community engagement.## **Key Responsibilities**### *Membership Leadership & Engagement** Collaborate with leadership staff to support the ongoing development and implementation of El Puente's Membership Process.* Coordinate and facilitate the Welcoming Period and orientation process for prospective members and families.* Support participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, and engagement efforts.* Monitor membership participation and engagement to ensure youth remain actively connected to programming.* Help maintain accurate membership records, participation data, and documentation.### *Mentoring & Youth Development** Oversee and support individual and collective mentoring structures for members.* Provide one-on-one and small group mentoring for elementary and middle school participants.* Support youth in developing leadership skills, self-awareness, positive peer relationships, and future aspirations.* Facilitate the Exploring Futures curriculum and other leadership development opportunities for middle school participants.* Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming environment where all youth feel valued and supported.### *Program Facilitation & Leadership Development** Facilitate leadership workshops, service-learning projects, community-building activities, and youth development programming.* Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans focused on civic engagement, social responsibility, leadership development, and community engagement.* Support youth participation in service-learning projects, community organizing activities, and leadership opportunities.* Facilitate Community Time and other spaces that promote relationship-building and collective reflection.* Chaperone field trips, community events, educational experiences, and organizing activities, including occasional evening or weekend events.*Daily Operations & Participant Safety** Ability to safely supervise and escort groups of elementary and middle school participants in community settings.* Support the organization and preparation of program spaces to ensure they are safe and ready for daily activities.* Support snack distribution, activity transitions, and participant dismissal procedures.Curriculum Development & Collaboration* Collaborate with program staff to develop and strengthen curricula related to youth leadership development, mentoring, academic enrichment, arts engagement, health and wellness, environmental justice, and social justice.* Implement membership curriculum and provide ongoing evaluation, reflection, and recommendations for improvement.* Work with leadership staff to support community engagement efforts and strengthen connections between youth, families, and the broader community.* Participate in organizational trainings, staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and special events.## Qualifications## **Key Qualifications**Successful candidates will bring a strong commitment to youth leadership, mentoring, community engagement, and social justice, along with experience supporting children and adolescents in educational or community-based settings.We are seeking a candidate who brings:* High school diploma or equivalent required.* At least two years of experience working in education, youth development, mentoring, after-school programs, community organizations, or related fields serving youth ages 5–13.* Strong understanding of youth development principles and relationship-based programming.* Experience facilitating workshops, youth activities, leadership development programs, or mentoring initiatives.* Strong communication, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.* Demonstrated commitment to community engagement, social justice, and positive youth development.* Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.## **Preferred Qualifications*** An associate degree, completion of at least two years of college coursework, or equivalent professional experience.* Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency strongly preferred, with the ability to communicate effectively with youth, families, and community members in both languages.* Knowledge of El Puente's Membership Model and leadership development framework.* Experience in the arts, arts education, or creative youth development.* Experience facilitating restorative practices, conflict mediation, or community-building activities.* Experience designing and implementing community service-learning or civic engagement projects.* Familiarity with DYCD-funded youth programming and community-based youth development models.## **Location, Salary and Benefits**## The Cornerstone Membership Specialists are located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is a part-time position.$25/hour at 17.5 hours per week## **Equal Opportunity Employer**El Puente is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities it serves. It provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under local, state, or federal law.El Puente strongly encourages applications from women, people of color, DREAMers, immigrants, as well as members of LGBTQIA+ communities.