Youth Program Specialist

Booker T Washington Community Service Center; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health benefits

401(k) with employer match

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Booker T. Washington Community Service Center in San Francisco seeks a Youth Program Specialist to deliver high-quality literacy and enrichment rooted in the CDF Freedom School model.

This role blends classroom teaching, youth development, and family engagement to create a joyful, safe environment for K–8 scholars. The teacher will integrate the IRC, lead Harambee activities, foster a love of reading, and embed social‑emotional learning and identity‑affirming instruction into daily practice.

Qualifications

• Valid Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Education, Child Development, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience working with young children (K–2nd).
• Commitment to educational equity for Black, Brown, and marginalized communities.
• Ability to design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons.
• Strong classroom management rooted in compassion and structure.
• Effective communication with children, families, staff, and partners.
• Commitment to BTWCSC’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Deliver daily lessons using the CDF Freedom School curriculum to support literacy and social‑emotional development.
• Facilitate Harambee and community-building activities.
• Create a safe, structured classroom environment centered on Black joy and belonging.
• Develop age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with Freedom School themes.
• Support students’ academic success through varied instructional formats.
• Model positive behavior and establish routines and rituals.
• Communicate with parents/caregivers to support student progress.

Skills

Teaching

Classroom management

Communication with families

Trauma‑informed approach

Youth development

Education

Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject)

Bachelor’s degree

First Aid/CPR certification

Food Safety/ServSafe certification

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Position Title: YOUTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST

FLSA: Hourly, Full-Time

Compensation Range: $74,000 - $76,000

Schedule: 40 hours/week | Monday - Friday, with some nights and weekends

Location: 100% In-Person, on-site in San Francisco, CA

Start Date: Until Filled

Mission

Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC) is one of the Bay Area’s oldest Black‑led, Black‑serving nonprofit organizations, with 106 years of service to San Francisco. A beacon of Black joy and self‑determination, we have nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans. We stand embedded as an anchor institution, fostering intergenerational bonds and working in solidarity with allied communities to reform and reimagine a more inclusive San Francisco. We prioritize serving the Black community and welcome all individuals from all cultures and ages, from 0 to 99, who walk through our door. We are one of the few urban spaces where anyone in the community can access comprehensive services, ranging from a hot meal to childcare, academic support, and senior services.

Summary

The Youth Program Specialist role consists of classroom teachers who play a central role in delivering high‑quality literacy, academic enrichment, and culturally responsive programming rooted in the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School model. These roles combine classroom teaching, youth development, and family engagement to create a joyful, safe, and culturally affirming environment for K‑8 elementary scholars.

The teacher integrates the CDF Freedom School’s Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), leads Harambee activities, cultivates a love of reading, and embeds social‑emotional learning and identity‑affirming instruction into daily practice. The teacher builds strong relationships with scholars and families, practices a trauma‑informed and culturally sustaining approach, and collaborates closely with staff across BTWCSC to support whole‑child and whole‑family well‑being.

This position requires strong classroom management, instructional expertise, creativity, warmth, and a commitment to youth empowerment and literacy justice.

Essential Duties

Instruction & Classroom Leadership:

• Deliver daily lessons using the CDF Freedom School Integrated Reading Curriculum, supporting scholars’ literacy growth, social‑emotional development, and cultural identity.
• Facilitate Harambee as a culturally grounded community‑building practice—rooted in the Swahili concept meaning “all pull together” or “let’s work together”—that uses ritual, call‑and‑response, affirmation, and shared reflection to build collective joy, belonging, and accountability while strengthening students’ social‑emotional readiness and engagement in learning.
• Create a safe, structured, and stimulating classroom environment that centers Black joy, belonging, and early childhood development.
• Develop age‑appropriate lesson plans and enrichment activities aligned with Freedom School themes and BTWCSC values.
• Support students’ academic success through one‑on‑one, small‑group, and whole‑group instruction.
• Model positive behavior and foster consistent routines, expectations, and classroom rituals.
• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers to support scholar progress and deepen family partnership.

Youth Development & Cultural Identity Building:

• Implement culturally sustaining pedagogy that honors scholars’ lived experiences and cultural backgrounds.
• Support identity formation for young children, cultivating confidence, curiosity, and self‑expression.
• Encourage leadership development through voice, choice, and cooperative learning structures.
• Promote emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy peer relationships.

Program Operations:

• Set up and break down the classroom daily; maintain bulletin boards, learning stations, and student work displays.
• Support Level 1 program operations by collecting and documenting basic data, including attendance, participation notes, behavior observations, and supporting the administration of scholar and family surveys as directed.
• Supervise youth during transitions, playtime, field trips, meals, and enrichment blocks.
• Assist with snack distribution, safety protocols, attendance tracking, and emergency procedures.
• Support and participate in field trips, family engagement events, showcases, and center‑wide activities.
• Collaborate with enrichment partners and support instructors in classroom management.
• Attend all required staff meetings, professional development, and Freedom School trainings.

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Valid Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Education, Child Development, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience working with young children (K–2nd), preferably in school or youth program settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and the unique needs of Black, Brown, and marginalized communities.
• Ability to design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons.
• Strong classroom management rooted in compassion, structure, and youth empowerment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Emotional maturity, integrity, and commitment to BTWCSC’s mission.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Food Safety/ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and remain active throughout the shift.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom School, culturally responsive teaching, or literacy intervention models.
• Experience working in community‑based organizations or expanded learning programs.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

Schedule

• Monday–Friday, approximately 9‑6pm during the school year (subject to SFUSD bell schedules).
• Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm during summer Freedom School and camp programming.
• Required CDF National Ella Baker Trainer & Servant Leader Intern Training in Tennessee: May 31 – June 8 (travel days included).
• Occasional nights and weekends for family events, workshops, staff training sessions, or community building events.

Professional Expectations

The Level 1 Teacher is expected to model BTWCSC’s values of Black joy, community, compassion, and excellence.

• Work respectfully and confidently across diverse cultures, identities, and backgrounds.
• Maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality at all times.
• Show genuine care for youth and families, and demonstrate a commitment to serving vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.
• Build positive relationships with scholars, families, coworkers, and partners.
• Exercise sound judgment, respond calmly to challenges, and make thoughtful decisions that support student well‑being.
• Bring creativity, flexibility, and a problem‑solving mindset to a fast‑paced learning environment.
• Welcome feedback, continuous growth, and new approaches that strengthen program quality.
• Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and consistent follow‑through in all responsibilities.

Benefits & Compensation

BTWCSC offers a competitive compensation package with paid time off, holidays, robust health benefits, and a salary commensurate with experience. This position is full‑time and exempt with an annual salary range of $69,000 - $72,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer‑covered health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off, including 15 days of vacation, holidays, and Center seasonal breaks/closures
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Monthly wellness benefit after 90 days
• Access to daily hot meals and snacks
• Commuter benefits after 90 days
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match (1% employee contribution required)
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences, seminars, webinars, and trainings

BTWCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All employment decisions are based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other protected status. In accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

To Apply

Please submit your application directly through BambooHR. Do not email resumes or application materials.

Your BambooHR submission must include:

• A brief cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position
• A current résumé or CV
• Copies of any relevant certifications
• Minimum of three (3) references, including at least one recent supervisor

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final candidates must successfully complete a LiveScan and full background check.