Middle School Program Coordinator
Position Overview:
The Middle School Program Coordinator is responsible for developing and leading engaging after-school and summertime programs that foster personal growth, academic achievement, and life skills development for youth in grades 6-8. This role plays a crucial part in empowering middle schoolers to explore their talents, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Additionally, the Coordinator helps to lead the Job Club Program, including supporting the operations of the Lemonade Stand, a workforce development initiative that teaches business and job skills.
King Street Center is a vibrant nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity. We offer a variety of programs ranging from mentoring, out-of-school programming and early childhood education. Located in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, King Street Center serves predominantly BIPOC children from Burlington's immigrant communities.
We strive to be one of the most racially diverse places to work in Vermont, as a community where both our youth and colleagues have shared identities or experiences. As a BIPOC led organization, serving BIPOC children and families, King Street is committed to centering equity, inclusion, and belonging in all facets of our work. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children in the Burlington community and you have personal, life or work experience with the communities we serve, we would love to hear from you!
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Year-Round Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the Director of Middle School Program to plan and implement enriching daily activities that support personal and academic growth.
Identify new activities and partnerships that relate to the interests of youth to enhance programming.
Build positive relationships with middle school youth, providing guidance, encouragement, and homework assistance.
Facilitate life skills workshops on topics such as money management, cooking, digital literacy, and time management.
Provide transportation for youth to offsite activities or home after program hours, using personal or company-provided vehicles.
Manage program supplies and instructional materials within the allocated budget.
Ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, maintaining active supervision and accurate attendance records.
Teach and reinforce professional and social skills such as punctuality, communication, and teamwork.
Support youth engagement in extracurricular activities beyond the Center.
Assist with behavior management, conflict resolution, and support for children and families as needed.
Contribute to the overall operation and success of middle school programming.
Spring/Summer Responsibilities:
Support the implementation and success of the Lemonade Stand Program, a workforce development initiative that introduces middle schoolers to entrepreneurship and job readiness.
Assist in recruitment and enrollment of 6th and 7th grade students into Job Club, ensuring they understand program expectations.
Conduct weekly training sessions in late winter and spring, teaching job skills such as food safety, customer service, and financial literacy.
Evaluate program effectiveness and explore opportunities for growth and improvement.
Engage community partners and identify new learning opportunities for youth.
Help maintain relationships with Echo Leahy Center and other partners to coordinate operations.
Organize and execute daily operations of the lemonade stand, including scheduling shifts, tracking inventory, and collecting revenue for the day.
Supervise and mentor high school student managers working at the stand.
Work with the Director of Middle School Program to transition job club to a year-round program.
Supports the transition to full-day middle school programming during the summer months.
Other Duties:
Support behavior management strategies in collaboration with program staff.
Assist with general housekeeping tasks, such as food preparation and cleanup.
Coordinate with other King Street Center programs (early childhood education, K-5, high school, family support, mentoring) and community partners.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the success of the program and organization.
Provide ongoing support in programming to ensure adequate coverage. When necessary, provides coverage for breaks and staff absences.
Supports behavior management in classrooms.
Relationships & Roles:
Reports directly to the Director of Middle School Program.
Collaborates with program director and program staff to develop and implement activities.
Engages with youth, families, volunteers, and community partners to foster a supportive program environment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge:
Strong commitment to King Street Center’s mission and values.
Adolescent development, behavior management, and conflict resolution strategies.
Basic understanding of financial literacy, food safety, and small business operations preferred.
Skills:
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Effective group facilitation and youth engagement strategies.
Organizational and time management skills.
Behavior management and de-escalation techniques.
Empathy, patience, and cultural competence.
Abilities:
Build trust and positive relationships with youth and families.
Work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Handle conflicts and challenging situations professionally and calmly.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold safety protocols.
Adapt to diverse learning styles and cultural backgrounds.
Uphold values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Qualifications & Experience:
Experience:
Minimum of two years of experience working with middle school youth and developing programming.
Experience working with low-income communities and immigrant, refugee and BIPOC youth and families is required.
Previous experience in food service, hospitality, or customer service is a plus.
Must pass a criminal background check through the VT Child Care Development Division.
Must complete required certifications (CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter Training).
Must have a valid driver's license and pass a motor vehicle report.
Proficiency in additional languages (particularly Nepali, Maay Maay, Somali, Burmese, or Swahili) is a plus.
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in education, youth development, or a related field preferred.
Required Competencies
Instills trust - gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
Manages ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
Being resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Curiosity - Consistently seeks opportunities to learn, ask questions, and explore new ideas to improve outcomes and drive continuous growth.
Physical Requirements & Conditions of Work:
Work is conducted inside and outside during all seasons. Must be able to be physically active, participate in gross motor games, and walk distances to neighborhood sites. Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasional interaction with children and families exhibiting some instability in their behavior. Some potential for risks to physical safety and security of the facility. Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in this position, nor does every position necessarily require these duties.
Employment Details:
Pay: $20-24/ hour
Hours: Full-time, non-exempt, 30-40 hours / week, year round
Location: This is an on-site position, with regular trips off site
Benefits:
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Healthy Living Allowance
Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Benefit
Parental Leave
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Apply Now:
Candidates should send the following application requirements to hr@kingstreetcenter.org:
Resume
Cover letter that includes:
Description of your experience working with BIPOC youth from low income, refugee and/or immigrant communities
Why you would like to work at King Street Center
Please be prepared to submit three professional references at a later time.