ABOUT THE COLORADO DREAM FOUNDATION

Colorado Dream Foundation is a long-term partner to youth. We believe that through a deep, sustained commitment to students and their families, our community can thrive, and our work together can be a key catalyst in fighting systemic oppression. We travel side-by-side with the same group of youth and their families as they navigate education and life, offering academic, social, and emotional support as they learn, grow, and achieve their dreams. No one should take this journey alone. When we fulfill our promises, anything is possible.

Since our founding in 1988, Colorado Dream Foundation has leveraged proven methods accounting for the whole child and giving youth equal access to the resources they need to succeed, ignite their innate potential, and attain their dreams. Colorado Dream Foundation removes barriers to academic success from elementary school to career through a comprehensive support model focused on four key components:

• Academic Development
• Emotional Wellness Development
• College & Career Development
• Systems Advocacy

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Engagement Specialist is a key member of the Colorado Dream Foundation team, leading our program opportunities for youth in grades 3-9. This position supports youth's academic, social, and emotional growth through the design and delivery of program lessons derived from our robust program curriculum. This person also serves as an advocate for all youth and families in the program. The Engagement Specialist manages a caseload of youth and reports to the Program Manager at their assigned site.

The Engagement Specialist's primary responsibilities include:

Youth Academic & Emotional Wellness Development

• Program Facilitation – Lead in-person learning sessions for youth in the after-school and summer programs, utilizing lessons and activities based on Colorado Dream Foundation's program-specific curriculum
• Coaching & Feedback – Participate in coaching and feedback sessions with the Program Manager and Clinical Manager to ensure the successful execution of the enrichment and social-emotional programs and the implementation of culturally responsive and trauma-informed care practices
• Data Analysis – Input and review youth data consistently and use collected youth data to recognize trends and inform intervention

College & Career Development and Systems Advocacy

• College & Career Culture Alignment – Support a site culture driven by career and college aspirations
• Youth Advocacy – Collaborate with our Emotional Wellness Team to fulfill individual need requests for youth and families (i.e., food, rent assistance, employment opportunities, medical support)
• Family Advocacy
  • Support strong family involvement in youth development through a minimum of bi-weekly check-in meetings, engagement activities, and home visits
  • Build strong relationships and lines of communication between Colorado Dream Foundation team members, the family, and other appropriate external stakeholders
• Organizations Advocacy – Serve as a resource to youth, families, and the greater community to advocate on values aligned with our organization

Other Duties

• Assist with the youth and family recruitment and enrollment process and support youth and family retention in programs
• Build strong relationships with and among youth
• Participate in Colorado Dream Foundation all-staff training, meetings, and events
• Collect basic day-to-day data according to program guidelines

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• An unwavering belief that all youth can achieve and be successful
• At least two years of experience working with elementary or middle school-aged children
• Experience with lesson planning and lesson execution
• Understanding of social-emotional learning
• Experience working with community partners in the Denver Metro area
• Exceptional communication skills (written, verbal, non-verbal)
• Record of accomplishment contributing to an organizational culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated belief in Colorado Dream Foundation's mission and values
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and special events as needed
• Bilingual Spanish is a plus

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 18 or older
• High school diploma or GED
• Must pass a criminal background check

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a part-time (up to 29 hours per week), non-exempt position. The starting salary is between $19 and $21 per hour depending on experience. Benefits include paid holidays and birthdays.

Colorado Dream Foundation is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. Colorado Dream Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, creed, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy is to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment, or bias based on these grounds.