Teen Activist Project Coordinator

$55,000 - $55,000/Yr

New York Civil Liberties Union - New York, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

New York, NY

10,001+ employees

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The Teen Activist Project (TAP) Coordinator plays a crucial role in the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), focusing on empowering youth through activism and education. This position is situated within the Education Policy Center and reports to the Deputy Director of Campaigns & Strategy. The TAP Coordinator is responsible for overseeing TAP, which is NYCLU's flagship youth organizing program, engaging over 150 members across New York City. The program, which evolved from the Teen Health Initiative established in 1997, aims to dismantle barriers that hinder young people's access to essential health services and information. Today, TAP addresses a broader spectrum of issues pertinent to youth, including the school-to-prison pipeline, adolescent health, and environmental justice. In this role, the TAP Coordinator will enhance awareness of youth and students' rights by training nearly 150 youth organizers annually. The Coordinator will collaborate with colleagues within the Education Center and the broader NYCLU to facilitate youth-led initiatives that resonate with their communities. A significant aspect of this position involves establishing the NYCLU's credibility within New York City public schools by fostering relationships with students, parents, and educators. The TAP program emphasizes leadership development, empowering young individuals to advocate for issues they are passionate about, and equipping them with peer mentoring tools. Through public education and advocacy, TAP has gained national recognition as a leading youth organizing program, with youth service providers frequently seeking its expertise in advocacy for their clients.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and supervise an activist, organizing and peer education program for teenagers.
• Develop and implement a long-term vision for the program, including the expansion of membership across the five boroughs.
• Identify opportunities for youth to engage in activism and organizing around the NYCLU's strategic priorities.
• Integrate TAP projects with NYCLU's Education Policy Center projects and campaigns.
• Work with youth organizers to schedule and conduct trainings on a variety of issues affecting young people.
• Build and strengthen relationships with New York City public schools.
• Collaborate with coalition partners and key allies.
• Frequent travel within five boroughs of NYC is required, with some travel outside of NYC as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (preferred) or equivalent in Education, Sociology, Social Work, Human Development, Community Organizing, Gender or Cultural Studies, or a related discipline.
• At least one year of experience in youth organizing, youth development, education, or related field.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations (Spanish fluency a plus).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with social justice and/or legal professionals a plus.
• A passion for civil liberties and civil rights.
• Experience delivering trainings for youth.
• Experience working with systems that serve youth (such as school systems).
• Understanding of and commitment to the nonpartisan mission and goals of the NYCLU and ACLU.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Availability & willingness to travel across New York City, and to work some nontraditional hours.

Nice-to-haves

• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Experience working with marginalized communities.
• Familiarity with public education systems in New York City.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications (Minimum $55,000).
• Full-Time/Non-Exempt (Union Position).
• Hybrid work model with required in-person days.