Community Program Coordinator
Organization: Next Step
Position: Community Program Coordinator
Location: 99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge MA
Organization Description(s):
At Next Step, we serve young people living with chronic illnesses—cancer, HIV, sickle cell, and other rare genetic conditions—between the ages of 16-29. We believe that if you empower them with the right skills, tools, and knowledge they will begin asking "What’s next?" instead of "Why me?" We help young people accomplish this shift in mindset through our change process—a 3-step cycle built upon the following pillars:
- Engagement: Building Community + Changing Perspective
- Education: Learning Skills + Growing Confidence
- Empowerment: Building Resilience + Developing Leadership
All of our programs are free of charge to participants. Our signature programs, our “campferences,” are 4-day residential programs that combine the recreational fun of camp with the information and networking opportunities possible conferences. Like all of our programs, the impact of our campferences lies in the relationships we build among youth. The only person in the world who can understand what it's like to share your diagnosis with a friend for the first time or miss extensive days of school because of your diagnosis is another young person who's been there too. The power of that shared experience can be life changing.
Position Description:
The Community Program Coordinator will lead the administration and delivery of community-based programming at Next Step—primarily our campference programs. The job responsibilities are as follows:
- Support the planning and organization of Next Step Campferences—both residential and virtual retreats—with other members of the program team
- Lead the organization, recruitment, and facilitation of Youth Task Force meetings for each campference experience—these are meetings with youth that support our program design
- Design workshops, programs, and activities that are creative, interactive, and engaging for young people
- Serve as the lead facilitator during campference programming
- Work collaboratively with Recruitment and Partnership Coordinator, Program Director, other members of the program team to support youth recruitment initiatives—this may include:
- Participating as a facilitator in hospital-based programming aimed at engaging youth in Next Step programs
- Sitting on meetings with hospital partners as needed
- Provide support to nursing director, as needed, to support young people with their medical applications and questions
- Support the development ongoing community-based programming at Next Step
Qualifications
- Have experience with chronic illness
- Have excellent organizational and computer skills
- Comfort working with diverse audiences
- Can demonstrate understanding and awareness of group formation and dynamic
- Have experience facilitating residential group programming and events
- Have experience working with adolescents and young adults
- Have experience working with health-related issues pertinent to this population
- Education and or significant experience with addressing areas of multicultural diversity, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, abilities/disabilities and intersectionality
- Exceptional communication skills and professional boundaries
- Experience with mentorship, guidance or other one on one skills development
- Possess a good sense of humor and work ethic
- Responsible and professional
- Are willing to travel and work residential weekend programs when needed
- Are able to work independently
- Are able to manage a fast-paced, all hands-on deck atmosphere
- Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of Next Step
- Have a strong interest in public health, medicine, and social justice issues
- Have a valid driver’s license
The Community Program Coordinator will receive supervision from Next Step’s Program Director. Supervision will also include some on-the-job training around logistics and program rollout. This program utilizes a Positive Youth Development framework.
This is a 40-hour a week position and compensation is $47,500k plus benefits. Candidates with bachelor’s degree are preferred. Please email resume and cover letter if interested to kepler@nextstepnet.org.