Youth Development Specialist - IE

Working Title: Youth Development Specialist - IE

State Role Title: Institutional Employment/Federal Work Study

Position Type: Institutional Employment

Position Status: Part-Time

College/Division: College of Arts and Letters

Department: 100754 - AAAD Center

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $15.00

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 

About JMU:

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

General Information:

The position is responsible for supporting the development of diverse middle and high school students' interest and potential for working in healthcare fields and professions through planning, development, implementation, and monitoring program efforts across statewide project sites. An ability to model inclusive and nondiscriminatory practices in all activities is required. Through collaboration with the project team, health professionals, school officials, community members, and community professionals, the position assists youth in learning about healthcare positions and assists participants in completing the community health worker apprentice modules. Creating a positive youth health development program requires learning module content, providing group engagement, mentoring/modeling, working with families, evaluating programming, tracking outcomes, and completing reports. This project will provide extensive orientation to support the success of those selected for these position(s).

Additional Information:

Seeking Summer and Fall 2025 applicants.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Assists in youth recruitment for participation in the program and sustains relationships with them.

* Assists youth participants with family engagement activities.

* Learns, plans, models, and co-facilitates effective sessions with middle and/or high school students.

* Provides academic support for youth participants and maintains school-based reports.

* School and community visits to statewide sites for student recruitment, programming, and evaluation of programming at least twice per month.

* Position must be available one day per week for site visits.

* The position requires the ability to drive a twelve-person van safely with young persons.

* Facilitates youth empowerment and involvement in programming within their site communities, health professionals, and school personnel.

* An ability for group management that increases student self-efficacy and reduces negative engagement, such as bullying or demeaning behaviors or comments.

* Coordinates site schedules with site personnel (youth participants, school personnel, and health care professionals).

* Maintains an inventory of project materials and resources.

* Initiates and maintains effective liaisons with community organizations, businesses, and health professionals related to the site.

* Assists with developing and maintaining the project’s online presence through a webpage and social media (Instagram, etc.).

* Assist youth in developing community service projects related to their learning of basic health information or demonstrated skills. Projects may be in collaboration with other community support or health professionals.

* Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for this position given the large variety of persons to be engaged.

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, skills, and or abilities required)

* Must have completed at least one year of post-secondary academic experience.
* Experience and knowledge of basic theories of individual and family development.
* Demonstrate previous (volunteer or paid) experience of working with diverse youth populations
* Familiarity with health professions
* Ability to drive a 12-passenger van.
* One day free per week for site visits.

Secondary qualifications (Additional Considerations)

* Positive interpersonal skills with individuals from many levels of authority, responsibilities, professions, and identities.
* Above-average organizational skills and an ability to write well, with some knowledge of data management through basic computer applications.
* An ability to follow safety instructions that reduce risks and convey those instructions to youth clearly.
* Proficiency in computer skills and online applications is necessary to support reporting and the project’s social media presence.
* Pass a background check.
* Additional language skills beyond English are considered positively.
* An ability to follow other duties as requested for project success.
* Some summer hours may be available.

Additional Posting Information:

Working conditions and physical requirements:

Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time; to participate in physical activities that may require lifting, squatting, agility for quick movements and lifting boxes; to utilize office and medical equipment.

Conditions of Employment:  

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

Students must have a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are a student with a disability and need assistance please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705 or disability-svcs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the Office of Disability Services, located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202 and they will be happy to assist you.