Youth Development Afterschool Apprentice

Aspireafterschool; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 13,000 - 15,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off including vacation and federal holidays

Hands-on training in various development topics

Job summary

Aspire Afterschool in Arlington is seeking Youth Apprentices to support students in their Learning ROCKS program. This full-time position offers on-the-job training in youth development, coaching, and counseling while earning a wage starting at $12.77/hour with potential increases.

The role includes co-leading lessons and activities for upper elementary and middle school students, fostering academic and social-emotional growth during afterschool and summer programs. Ideal candidates are ages 18-24, passionate about education and community service.

Qualifications

• Interest in gaining skills for a career in youth development.
• Passion for tutoring children in grades 3 – 8.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead lessons and support activities for 20-25 students.
• Collaborate on lesson planning and implementation.
• Track program goals and student progress.

Skills

Communication with children

Coaching skills

Time management

Proficiency with technology

Team collaboration

Job description

Position Description

Advance your career through on-the-job learning, mentorship, and rigorous training in positive youth development, coaching & counseling strategies, case management, and more. Sign up for the Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship to earn while you learn – and gain an industry-recognized credential!

Aspire Afterschool Learning is seeking year‑round Youth Apprentices for our Learning ROCKS afterschool and summer camp program to provide daily holistic and academic support to historically underserved upper elementary and middle school students in South Arlington, VA.

Our afterschool program bolsters students’ reading by providing targeted daily support to develop both reading skills and a love of reading. Program activities strengthen their STEM/STEAM and Social‑Emotional learning skills and reinforce general academic content through regular project‑based learning activities, including our annual science fair. Our summer camp is a fun and interactive experience that prevents summer learning loss, which year‑over‑year can make it more difficult for students experiencing poverty to catch up with their peers.

This position is great for someone ages 18 – 24, interested in working with 3 rd through 8 th grade students, considering a career in education, giving back to their community, or gaining professional experience, and is representative of the South Arlington community.

Responsibilities

• Co‑lead and support lessons and activities while providing direct support to approximately 20‑25 students each day alongside a teacher, including appropriate student supervision and assistance during classroom and recreational activities.
• Plan and implement lessons, activities, guest speakers, and field trips in collaboration with teacher and program staff.
• Assist in organizing the day‑to‑day operations of the classroom, including daily schedule, activity supplies and daily learning objective is met; and modeling effective instructional techniques and appropriate behavior modification to fellow team members and volunteers.
• Collaborate with and provide consistent feedback to parents, teachers, school staff, and other team members regarding students’ success and program results.
• Achieve and track program goals in close collaboration with Program Staff by collecting and maintaining student files and program data.
• Participate in relevant topic‑ and skill‑based trainings and provide input into trainings and professional development sessions that would benefit the larger team.
• Plan for and provide meaningful guidance and support for volunteers.
• Provide programming and support to our Parent Connection events one evening per month.
• Interact and communicate with parents, volunteers, visitors, and community organizations in accordance with Aspire’s values.
• Comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and agreements of the organization.

Who You Are

• Interest in gaining professional development, skill development, coaching, and certifications to support a career in youth development
• Passion for youth development, out of school time programming, childcare, or education, or tutoring/mentoring children in grades 3 – 8 th
• Passionate about investing in the growth and potential of historically underserved students and closing the educational opportunity gap
• Lived experience with the educational opportunity gap and cultures represented within Aspire and the South Arlington community
• Excited and open to learning and gaining marketable, hands‑on experience in the nonprofit, education, youth development, community and/or childcare fields, as well as workforce ready skills, including proficiency with technology, time management, and proactive and professional communication
• Self‑motivated, independent, flexible, and resourceful
• Able to communicate and interact with children, parents, teachers, volunteers, and program staff in a way that is consistent with Aspire’s values
• Able to supervise students in outdoor spaces including getting to and from those spaces
• Between the ages of 18 – 24 years old

What Else You Should Know

• School Year Program hours: Monday – Friday, 10:30am – 6:30pm; Summer Program Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm; occasional evenings.
• The position is full‑time and in‑person.
• The pay is hourly and starts at $12.77/ hour, with a $1/hour increase after six months
• Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 5 wellness days, 13 federal holidays, and other paid time off in alignment with the Arlington Public Schools calendar, including two weeks over the winter break, one week over spring break, one week in August between the summer program and school year program, and other days off as determined by Aspire.
• Hands‑on training in a variety of topics including: learning content areas, tutoring skills, child development, behavior management, education theory, leadership skills, and team building.
• Upon completion, apprentices earn a DOL credential as a Youth Development Apprentice. Potential post‑apprenticeship career paths include but are not limited to youth service intake counseling, outreach work, after‑school programming management, and justice reentry.
• Aspire values a positive working environment and culture, highly‑impactful and values driven work, and professional and personal development.

Who We Are

Aspire Afterschool Learning is a non‑profit organization based in South Arlington, VA. Aspire provides robust, comprehensive, and high‑quality afterschool and summer academic enrichment to historically underserved students in Arlington. Our programs support and connect students, families, schools, and communities while using evidence‑based methods to achieve results for upper elementary school students most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Over 90% of our students improve their reading levels each year with our support.

Aspire Afterschool Learning is an equal opportunity employer, and we value having team members who reflect the students and families we serve, including from communities most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Aspire shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.

*This position is contingent upon passing a criminal history and child protective services background check.