Youth Program Specialist

• 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 we 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 are Classroom teachers that 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–6:00pm 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. Staff in this role should

• 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.