Non-profit Organization: Florida’s Children First
Location: Coral Springs, Florida
Who We Are:
Florida Youth SHINE (FYS) is a youth-run, advocacy organization working hard to improve Florida's child welfare system. FYS members have lived experience in the foster care system or have been homeless. Currently, there are over 350 members ages 13-26 in 14 chapters around the state. FYS’s mission is to empower, improve, educate, and support the growth of tomorrow’s leaders through the combined knowledge and experience of today’s youth.
FYS was founded in 2005 by the non-profit organization Florida’s Children First (FCF) and continues to be supported by FCF. FCF is dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children, especially those in foster care. Uniquely positioned as Florida’s premiere independent advocacy organization, FCF’s mission is to obtain meaningful and sustainable improvements in Florida’s child-serving systems. FCF’s work is informed by the youth from Florida Youth SHINE.
Position Summary:
The Florida Youth SHINE Community Engagement Manager (CEM) is responsible for supporting and growing Florida Youth SHINE chapters. The CEM is responsible for providing support and resources for youth-led advocacy and leadership development to FYS chapters and members throughout Florida. This position will create and deliver programs and events that support Florida Youth SHINE members and mentors. The CEM will implement and train others on the FYS engagement model that facilitates youth with lived experience in foster care to use their voice and experiences to advocate for sustainable improvements to the child welfare system utilizing many forms of advocacy and youth organizing strategies. The manager works closely with the entire staff of FCF, FYS Chapter Mentors as well as with youth leaders.
Responsibilities Include:
Chapter Support
- Provide general support, resources, and training to develop and expand Florida Youth SHINE chapters around the state. Conduct regular chapter visits (in-person and virtual)
- Create and facilitate a mentor and chapter orientation and training program
- Build relationships with chapter mentors and partners and support their efforts for volunteering
- Update and create materials as needed such as chapter manual, toolkits, and resources
- Implement strategies for outreach and communication to build and maintain the chapter base
- Rebuild and build new chapters
Programming Support
- Help youth and mentors to create and deliver FYS local advocacy activities, events, meetings, and trainings
- Assist chapters to develop and execute goals and assist them with general operational support as needed
- Organize monthly statewide chapter update virtual meetings and action hours
- Work with chapters on the youth-led action process of identifying key issues, establish priorities and policy recommendations, and taking action to drive positive improvements through policy, practice, and education
- Organize local initiatives, advocacy projects, opportunities, meetings, and trainings for FYS including arranging meetings with local stakeholders and decision-makers
- Maintain and expand FYS’s visibility and represent FYS at community events, meetings to build relationships and partnerships
Member Support
- Recruit, onboard, engage, and maintain and track new members.
- Identify, prepare and coordinate FYS members for leadership and advocacy opportunities (e.g., presentations, workshops, media opportunities, local advocacy initiatives, meeting with legislators, policy work)
- Coordinate, communicate, and engage youth in virtual and in-person advocacy opportunities for lived experience such as focus groups
- Build and maintain positive relationships with members and mentors to ensure a safe and supportive environment free of judgment, for youth feel heard and valued.
- Mediate and support members in conflict resolution and promote a healing environment align with Florida Youth SHINE’s youth-led, youth expertise values
- Develop programs, workshops, materials, curriculum, and activities to develop skills in leadership, advocacy, communication, relationship building, and public speaking
Statewide Support/Event Planning
- Assist in statewide events, trainings, and quarterly meetings, including planning efforts and curriculum building
- Support FYS Statewide Coordinator in statewide programs and projects as needed
- Execute, create, pitch, and initiate new programs, projects, and events in line with our efforts, mission, strategic plan, and priorities
Administrative and Communication Support
- Manage communication efforts including social media and creating FYS marketing materials
- Track FYS data, membership, and roster
- Assist in writing communication materials such as reports, information for fundraising staff, newsletters, member, and mentor updates
- Track FYS data, membership, and roster and manage chapter-level data to measure the impact of various strategies
- Supervise and support peer specialists
- Prepare and submit program and expense reports in a timely manner on a monthly basis
- Assist in the development of operational policies and procedures
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- At least 3 years of experience working with youth or young adults
- Experience creating and running programs, projects, and events
- Experience in writing and facilitating curriculum and training,
- Strong written and verbal skills and ability to write and create content, messages, and newsletter
- Ability to support the leadership of young people and develop youth engagement programs, trainings, activities, and curriculum
- Passionate about FYS’s mission and core values in youth-led practices and possess a commitment to advocate for the youth voice and expertise of those with lived experience
- You are organized, can work independently, initiate and launch new programs, are creative, can multitask, and excel in problem-solving and critical thinking
- Utilize a team approach to work well with others and FYS statewide staff
- Love working with teenagers and creatively developing leadership opportunities and demonstrate enthusiasm, professionalism, and the ability to maintain boundaries with young people
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products, Google Docs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms, with a quick ability to learn and adapt to new technology and software (e.g., Canva, Wix, Linktree)
- Reliable vehicle, driver’s license, and ability to rent and drive vehicles (often minivans)
Desired Experience:
- Experience within the child welfare system through direct lived experience, or professional work is preferred (FYS Alumni/Mentors are encouraged to apply)
- Professional experience in leadership training, youth or student organizations/groups, legislation, or policies
- Experience with youth advocacy or youth organizing within the child welfare system
- Understanding of child welfare issues and policy
This is a full-time position that requires flexible hours and an ability to work on occasional nights and weekends as most FYS members are full-time students and many work part-time jobs. Some events take place from 5-7PM, and conferences can take place over the weekends. This position does require some travel with overnight stays around Florida. Position is based out of FCF’s headquarters in Coral Springs, FL, however, we are open to remote and hybrid candidates throughout Florida
Salary Range: $55,000-$70,000 commensurate with experience.
Generous Benefits Included
Application Date/Instructions:
Applications accepted through June 10th, anticipated start date July 10, 2023
Send resume and cover letter to management@floridaschildrenfirst.org