Rise Above CO: Youth Engagement Coordinator
Position Description | September 2024
Organization Background
Rise Above Colorado is a substance misuse prevention organization that measurably impacts teen perceptions and attitudes about the risks of substance misuse to help youth make empowered, healthy choices. Our vision is to empower teens to lead a life free of substance misuse and addiction.
Rise Above Colorado implements prevention strategies targeted for youth aged 12-17 to measurably impact attitudes (e.g. perception of harm, perception of peer use, etc.), knowledge (e.g. appropriate and inappropriate use of Rx drugs, teen brain science, etc.), and skills (e.g. media literacy, health decision-making, refusal skills, etc.). Rise Above Colorado achieves these objectives through direct-to-youth communications, peer-to-peer engagement and resource delivery by youth-serving partner organizations.
Position Overview
Rise Above Colorado, in collaboration with a variety of partners, is continuing its work related to youth civic engagement and positive community change efforts. With a focus on youth and adult partnerships, the Youth Engagement Coordinator will build upon new and existing relationships with youth and the adults who serve them to build capacity and improve outcomes through new and continued work within existing youth councils and other prevention initiatives to amplify youth voice and agency across the state.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Position Reports to: Manager of Youth Engagement
Lead Implementer (Denver Metro) (65%)
● Leads and supports implementation of prevention efforts within our Denver
partnerships:
○ Leads and supports the work of Denver partner facilitators (adults), leads and supports the work of Denver Teen Action Council (youth), manages the progress of youth & adult partnerships towards grant deliverables
● Leads and supports direct-to-youth implementation of Rise Above Colorado and Denver partner prevention resources across Denver Public Schools
● Leads and supports youth engagement capacity building efforts using both in-person and virtual engagement methods
● Collaborates with the Director of Prevention Education & Manager of Youth Engagement to build strategy and vision for implementation and capacity building
Youth Engagement (Statewide) (20%)
● With Manager of Youth Engagement, supports TAC activities and events.
● Engages in the training and facilitation of RAC educational resources with partners and direct to youth
● Engages in and amplifies campaign efforts with partners and direct to youth.
○ Expands Rise Above Colorado’s campaigns (FYWWG campaigns, Sticker Design Contest outreach, etc.)
● Engages and improves our direct-to-youth reach online (i.e. website content revisions, social & digital media postings, etc.)
Research & Analysis (5%)
● Reviews literature and participates in relevant forums to stay current on research and best practice in youth substance misuse prevention and Positive Youth Development, particularly for the Colorado landscape
● Shares relevant research, data and other information to inform RAC programs and activities, including effective prevention strategies being utilized in Constellation communities
● Engages in Positive Youth Development (PYD) trainings and capacity building
Other (10%)
● Supports RAC’s commitment to Culturally and Linguistic Appropriate Service (CLAS) and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) efforts; supports in identifying on-going translation needs and revision of resources and materials
● Applies RAC Strategic Framework goals and objectives to duties
● Represents RAC on statewide and/or community committees, programs and boards that have a clear focus on teen substance misuse prevention and PYD
● Positions RAC as statewide experts on youth substance misuse prevention and promotes RAC technical expertise, including PYD, to other youth serving organizations
● Supports overall growth, development, and success of RAC
● Attends annual Shared Risk and Protective Factor (SRPF) conference in Keystone, CO
● Attends Teen Action Council (TAC) meetings in Denver; 4 weekends per calendar year
● Fulfills job duties & responsibilities in a hybrid work environment (roughly 50% in-person, 50% remote)
Qualifications
● 1-3 years of similar experience with demonstrated success in youth engagement, including direct experience leading and coordinating youth groups or programs
● Knowledge of and experience with Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach a plus
● Relevant degree or equivalent professional training a plus
● Excellent communication and presentation skills, including strong editorial writing experience
● Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with people at all levels of an organization, including agency directors, program staff, and teens
● Must be able to work independently and as a collaborative team member
● Periodic statewide travel expected, as is working occasional evenings and weekends; candidate will need to provide a vehicle for work travel within three hours driving distance (mileage reimbursed)