Youth Community Ambassador

Marillac St. Vincent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Marillac St. Vincent in Chicago is seeking a Youth Community Ambassador for part-time seasonal work, responsible for fostering engaging, safe spaces for youth aged 16-24. Applicants will assist in outreach, support youth events, and connect with community organizations.

This role offers an incredible opportunity for youth to gain practical skills, mentorship, and experience while contributing to the community. Ideal candidates must be Chicago residents currently attending high school.

Qualifications

• Must be between 16 to 24 years old.
• Must be a Chicago resident and attend a Chicago high school.
• Must provide a valid City of Chicago address and an SSN or ITIN to receive stipend.

Responsibilities

• Organize and create safe spaces events for youth.
• Facilitate connections between peers and adults.
• Participate in required gatherings and trainings.

Skills

Active listening

Collaboration

Event planning

Problem-solving

Job description

JOB TITLE: Youth Community Ambassador
STATUS: Part-Time/Seasonal
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURS/WEEK: Up to 20 hours
DIVISION: Marillac St. Vincent Family Services
DEPARTMENT: Youth and Teens
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Youth Development Coordinator

THE MISSION

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and programs tailored to foster thriving families and sustainable communities in Chicago.

CORE VALUES

Integrity – Acting with transparency, humility and honesty
Excellence – Providing quality care with compassion
Creativity – Being continuously resourceful and inventive
Advocacy – Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life
Respect – Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people
Empowerment – Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

TEAM BEHAVIORS

• Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.
• A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals.
• Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.
• Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.
• Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Programming designed to strengthen local youth opportunity ecosystems by ensuring that young people have engaging, safe, and youth-driven out-of-school time opportunities. Through a partnership with the Department of Family Support Services (DFSS), this initiative “My CHI. My Future: Safe Spaces For Youth” is a paid employment program for youth ages 16-24 that supports work readiness and social development through positive mentorship and leadership training. The Marillac St. Vincent Youth Community Ambassador will help with outreach at schools and community events, support workshops and youth programming, connect with partner organizations, and help create welcoming, affirming spaces for teens across the West side of Chicago, particularly the East Garfield Park Community.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organize and create safe spaces events that give a platform to youth voices and choices.
• Help provide a safe and inclusive environment for teens.
• Facilitate connections between peers and caring adults within the community.
• Take part in end-to-end event planning and execution.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals and youth advocates on various projects.
• Explore different career paths and discover personal strengths.
• Participation in required DFSS/Marillac St. Vincent gatherings and trainings.

YOUTH EXPECTATIONS

• Safe Spaces Focus: Fostering a cooperative, judgment‑free environment regardless of race, gender, background, or ability.
• Work Ethic & Attendance: Committing to perfect attendance, as these are paid internships/stipend‑based positions that require a high degree of accountability.
• Professionalism: Behaving as a positive ambassador, communicating ideas effectively, and showing respect to peers and instructors.

YOUTH WILL GAIN

• Practical skills and real‑world experience.
• Mentorship and guidance from professionals.
• Enhanced resume and professional network.
• Confidence and knowledge for future career success.
• Opportunity to contribute to community building and youth development.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Youth must be between 16 to 24 years old.
• Youth must be Chicago resident and attend a Chicago high school.
• Youth must provide a valid City of Chicago address and a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to receive program stipend.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to fulfill all activities normally expected in a classroom setting, to include, but not limited to, active participation in group activities.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25‑30 pounds.
• This is not a sedentary position but requires constant movement in keeping the planned group activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Internal office space.
• Classroom & gym setting.
• Computer lab.
• Offsite field trip sites, both indoor and outdoor settings.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

SCREENINGS

• The applicant must submit to a criminal background check and adult abuse and neglect screening and maintain a cleared status throughout employment, if over 18.
• The applicant must submit MMR, Tdap and pass a TB and immunization health screen upon hire and update TB/physicals as required by the licensing standards.

This job description does not constitute an employment contract or an offer of employment. Marillac St. Vincent Family Services reserves the right to change and/or modify this job description. Every effort has been expended to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the job descriptions; however, it is not possible to detail every single task of the job or predict some circumstances and changes. As a result, employees may be assigned to perform other related duties in support of the program and the mission of the agency. Marillac St. Vincent Family Services is an equal opportunity employer.