Youth Development Specialist

Salt-River-Pima--maricopa-Indian-Community-; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's Boys & Girls Club program seeks a Youth Development Specialist I to support Afterschool, Teen, Summer Camp, and other activities. Under supervision, you will guide youth development, deliver reading and math support, and help foster cultural learning rooted in O’odham/Piipaash values.

This non-exempt, entry-level role emphasizes safety, relationships, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within six months of employment.
• Must obtain a Food Handler’s Card within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides informal guidance to youth in social, emotional, and behavioral development.
• Supervises youth during Club programs, maintains a safe environment, and handles routine discipline.
• Assists in delivering age-appropriate programming in reading, math, health, fitness, culture, and socialization.
• Supports daily classroom activities that build life skills, social skills, and resilience.
• Assists with home visits and partners with parents/guardians regarding youth goals, behavior, education, and concerns.
• Provides language and cultural instruction in O’odham/Piipaash and promotes language and traditions.
• Participates in community cultural events and integrates cultural teachings into daily Club experiences.
• Supports tutoring and academic enrichment aligned with BGCA’s Academic Success Framework.

Skills

Youth guidance

Group supervision

Reading & math support

Cultural instruction

Home visits

Relationship building

Tutoring & enrichment

Education

High School diploma or GED

First Aid & CPR certification

Food Handler’s Card

Job description

Definition:

Under general supervision of the Youth Services Manager, the Youth Development Specialist I supports youth programming and activities within assigned Boys & Girls Club program areas, including Afterschool, Teen, Summer Camp, School Breaks, Culture, Education, Health & Life Skills and other program areas. This position contributes to the Boys & Girls Club of America Native Services mission of enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible youth. The Youth Development Specialist I provides direct support in academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character & leadership, and culturally grounded youth development rooted in O’odham/Piipaash values. This job class is treated as FLSA Non‑Exempt.

Distinguishing Features

The Youth Development Specialist I is a progression eligible entry‑level position that performs program aide duties for Club activities and events. It differs from the Youth Development Specialist II by focusing on foundational youth development responsibilities, learning operations, and building professional relationships necessary for progression.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Tasks:

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Provides informal individual and group guidance to youth in the areas of social, emotional, and behavioral development withing the Club program models.
• Supervises youth during Club programs, maintains a safe and positive environment, and handles routine discipline consistent with Department and SRPMIC standards.
• Assists in delivering age‑appropriate programming in reading, math, health, fitness, culture, and socialization aligned with Boys & Girls Club (BGCA) program pillars.
• Supports daily classroom activities that build life skills, social skills, and resilience.
• Assists with small‑group structures that promote coping skills, resistance skills, and positive decision‑making.

• Assists with home visits as needed to partner with parents/guardians regarding youth goals, behavior, education, and concerns.
• Establishes and maintains positive, professional relationships with youth and families.

Culture & Community

• Provides group and individual instruction in O’odham/Piipaash language and cultural activities.
• Maintains a supportive structure for cultural research and promotes O’odham/Piipaash language and traditions within Club programs.
• Collaborates with Community cultural practitioners who teach traditional language and cultural knowledge to enhance programming.
• Participates in Community cultural events and integrates cultural teachings into daily Club experiences.

Education & Prevention

• Supports tutoring, homework help, and academic enrichment aligned with BGCA’s Academic Success Framework.
• Assists with prevention education activities related to drug, alcohol, violence, gang, and teen pregnancy awareness.
• Supports youth in physical fitness, nutrition, hygiene, and diabetes‑prevention activities consistent with BGCA’s Healthy Lifestyles pillar.
• Conducts research and compiles materials related to SRPMIC history, culture, and language for daily instruction.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience:A High School diploma or a GED required.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within six months of employment.
• Must obtain a Food Handler’s Card within six months of employment.

• Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of experience and education that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered when filling the position.

• Special Requirement:May be required to work nights, weekends and holidays.

• Must pass an extensive background check including fingerprinting.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working With Children”.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre‑employment background/fingerprint check.

“SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer” Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD‑214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted.

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR‑Recruitment‑Two Waters.