Youth Empowerment Educator and Equity Advocate

Ywca; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Training and development opportunities

Childcare at a discounted rate

Parental leave

Tuition discount at Widener University

Job summary

YWCA Lancaster is seeking a Youth Empowerment Specialist to lead prevention education and youth programming for K–12 students in school and community settings. You will develop curricula, deliver engaging sessions, and build strong partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive teaching, and active participation of youth in decision-making, with opportunities for professional development and impact on equity initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, gender studies, liberal arts, or a related field.
• Experience with K-12 youth in school-based, after-school, community-based, or other youth-serving settings.
• Strong communication, presentation, and group facilitation skills, including public speaking.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and ability to work effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual presentation platforms.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the service area as needed.
• Experience developing, adapting, or evaluating educational curricula and youth programming preferred
• Experience collaborating with schools, educators, or community organizations to deliver youth programming preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, healthy relationships, violence prevention, racial and gender equity, or related topics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead school-based prevention education programs, workshops, trainings, and community education sessions aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop and facilitate youth empowerment groups and clubs that build relationships, strengthen skills, and encourage leadership and action.
• Facilitate engaging, age-appropriate discussions on healthy relationships, consent, violence prevention, racial and gender equity, intersectionality, bystander intervention, and related topics.
• Apply evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices, adapting content and instructional methods to participants’ developmental needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, educators, administrators, and youth-serving organizations.
• Develop, adapt, and maintain educational curricula and training materials informed by current research, best practices, and community needs.
• Support program evaluation by collecting participant feedback, measuring outcomes, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Build supportive relationships with youth and foster confidence, agency, leadership, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
• Incorporate youth perspectives and feedback into program design, delivery, and improvement.
• Maintain accurate program records, attendance data, and activity reports.
• Support grant reporting and program documentation.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and organizational initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Facilitation

Microsoft Office

Virtual presentation tools

Travel readiness

Curriculum development

School collaboration

Youth development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Virtual presentation platforms

Job description

YWCA Lancaster is seeking a Youth Empowerment Specialist to lead prevention education and youth programming for K–12 students in school and community settings. You will develop curricula, deliver engaging sessions, and build strong partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive teaching, and active participation of youth in decision-making, with opportunities for professional development and impact on equity initiatives.