Treehouse Foundation
1 Treehouse Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Company Description: The Treehouse Foundation's mission is to promote public investment in society's most vulnerable children.
Our vision is “Every child rooted in family and community.”
We implement and support innovative child welfare practices to ensure that children who experience foster care find forever families in supportive communities, enabling them to lead fulfilling, productive lives.
Treehouse, based in Easthampton, MA, has two key initiatives:
1. The award-winning intergenerational Treehouse Community
2. The Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America Movement (REFCA) |
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Salary Range: | Location: |
20 Per Hour | E HAMPTON
MA
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Job Type: | Category: |
Part Time | Human Services |
Education Level: | Work Experience: |
Bachelor's Degree
Preference: Required | 3+
Preference: Required |
Skills/Certifications/Licences: |
Bachelors degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience with children and youth; Passion for working with children and youth who have experienced foster care; Excellent program development and implementation skills; Strong listening and communication skills; Professional knowledge of trauma; understanding of shame, separation and loss; Awareness of other cultures, values, identities and perspectives; - Preference: Required
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Description: | The Treehouse Youth Development Coordinator (YDC) is a key member of our dynamic team. This position supports children, teens and young adults who live in the intergenerational Treehouse Community, and/or who participate in HEROES Youth Leadership for young people, ages 14-24, who have experienced foster care. The YDC supports meeting their educational, social-emotional, and life skill development needs. The YDC also builds capacity, competence and confidence with youth at different developmental stages by working with them individually and in groups, in both informal and structured program settings.
Utilizing developmental and trauma-informed approaches to support optimal growth, the YDC is strength-based, life-skills oriented, and appreciative of the challenges facing youth who have experienced foster care and adoption. The YDC understands the important role of community and permanency in young people’s lives. As a Treehouse staff person, the YDC maintains a strong commitment to short-term progress and long-term growth. Program activities are wide-ranging and include travel to conferences and events, outdoor adventure, camping, arts projects, community service, college exposure visits, special events, and more.
Diversity and Inclusion: Treehouse is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women,
persons of color, GLBTQ identified persons, and persons with disabilities to apply. We value and support diversity and inclusion, creating a culture of dignity and respect for our all members of our team and all program participants. Lived experience with foster care is welcomed.
To Apply: This position is negotiable between 25 – 35 hours per week at a rate of $22/hour. Please send your resume and cover letter electronically to jobs@refca.net by Friday, June 30rd, 2017. |
Requirements: | Youth Development Coordinator Responsibilities
• Provide strong and creative program oversight
• Develop and maintain community collaborations
• Engage and build trusting connections with youth who struggle with engagement and trust;
• Engage youth in setting personal goals, building hope and motivation;
• Provide educational and employment advocacy;
• Promote youth engagement and growth using non-traditional and therapeutic approaches;
• Develop resources and materials to address youth needs;
• Support youth transition to adulthood;
• Assist youth in building executive functioning skills and capacity for self-regulation;
• Help youth develop pre-employment and employment skills, and job search;
• Assist youth in developing and maintaining supportive community and family connections;
• Coach individuals in social skills, appropriate boundaries, and self-management;
• Maintaining healthy, positive group dynamics and individual safety;
• Educate and support youth in having healthy relationships and managing social media;
• Teach and inspire comprehensive life skills development;
• Teaming and collaboration with families, guardians and supportive adults;
• Cultivate youth interests and provide exposure to enrichment activities and experiences;
• Maintain 1:1 work with youth, as needed;
• Maintain neutrality and perspective amidst complicated dynamics among youth/ parents/caretakers/guardians;
• Maintain a child and youth-centered approach while fully respecting parents and family, and appreciating different opinions and needs.
Required:
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• Ability to be open and relational, while maintaining clear boundaries;
• Ability to be grounded, flexible and creative, and work with youth “where they are;”
• Ability to work in a team and autonomously;
• Reliable transportation and driver’s license;
• Capacity to work some evenings and weekends;
• Tech savvy.
Preferred Experience:
• Masters degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience with children and youth;
• Knowledge of child/adolescent development, foster care, adoption;
• Understanding and experience with autism spectrum presentations;
• Experience using a variety of approaches to promote life skills and individual development |
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