Barre Basement Youth Center Director

The position

The Barre Basement Director is the leader of the day-to-day operations of one of Elevate's community-based teen centers. They create the conditions in which young people feel safe, wanted, known, and free to be themselves. This is a deeply relational role and also a highly practical one. The Basement Director leads the site team, keeps the center running, responds to what young people bring through the door, and builds a culture where joy, honesty, accountability, and belonging can live together.

Site leadership and daily operations

• Lead the daily operation of the Barre Basement Teen Center and ensure that the center is welcoming, well staffed, prepared, clean, stocked, and ready for young people.
• Develop and maintain the site's schedule, staff coverage, routines, communication systems, emergency information, and opening and closing practices.
• Supervise and support Youth Engagement Specialists, peer workers, interns, and adult volunteers through regular communication, coaching, modeling, and clear expectations.
• Coordinate meaningful roles for adult volunteers and ensure they receive orientation, boundaries, ongoing support, and a clear understanding of Elevate's values and youth-centered practices.
• Manage day-to-day purchases and supplies within the approved site budget, maintain receipts and records, and communicate emerging needs to the Director of Community-Based Youth Spaces.
• Maintain the physical space in partnership with the host site and address facility, accessibility, technology, or safety concerns promptly.
• Participate in shared planning and learning with the Montpelier Basement Director so that the two sites remain connected and can support one another.

Relationships with young people

• Build consistent, trustworthy relationships with teenagers without requiring them to disclose, perform, improve, or participate in services in order to belong.Create opportunities for young people to shape the space, plan activities, make decisions, resolve conflict, and exercise real leadership.
• Respond to conflict, distress, substance use concerns, mental health needs, and other difficult moments with steadiness, curiosity, harm reduction, and appropriate boundaries.
• Recognize when a young person needs additional support and make warm connections to Elevate programs, counseling, shelter and housing resources, schools, families, or community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and complete documentation, incident reports, mandated reports, and follow-up in accordance with law and Elevate policy.

Programs and community connection

• Plan a lively mix of drop-in time, food, creative and recreational activities, skill-building, trips, special events, and youth-led programming that reflects the interests of local young people.
• Coordinate on-site participation by Elevate staff and community partners while protecting the center from becoming overly clinical, scheduled, or service-driven.
• Build relationships with the host library, schools, families, local organizations, neighbors, and community members connected to the site.
• Represent the site at local meetings and events when assigned and keep the Director of Community-Based Youth Spaces informed about emerging needs, opportunities, and concerns.
• Support outreach, community storytelling, fundraising events, site visits, and advocacy connected to the teen center.

Data, communication, and accountability

• Maintain timely and accurate participation data, schedules, staff records, program notes, purchase documentation, and other required information.
• Gather youth feedback in ways that feel natural and respectful, and use it to shape programming and site decisions.
• Communicate significant incidents, staffing concerns, partner issues, and emerging risks promptly to the Director of Community-Based Youth Spaces .
• Contribute stories, learning, and program information needed for reports, grants, evaluation, and community communication while protecting youth privacy.

What we are looking for

• A warm, steady adult who genuinely likes teenagers and understands that relationship is the heart of the work.Experience leading staff, volunteers, programs, or community spaces and the ability to create both freedom and structure.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma, harm reduction, positive youth development, and culturally responsive practice.
• The ability to stay grounded during conflict or crisis, set clear boundaries without shame, and repair relationships when things go wrong.
• Strong organizational, communication, and follow-through skills, including comfort with basic data systems and documentation.
• A commitment to racial, disability, gender, and economic justice and to affirming LGBTQ young people.
• Availability to work the center's core afternoon and evening hours, with occasional weekends, trips, or special events.

Minimum qualifications

• Significant and relevant experience with teenagers, youth programs, community-based services, education, recreation, or a related field, including experience providing leadership or supervision.
• An associate or bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of lived experience, education, and professional experience.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to transport youth in accordance with Elevate policy when required.
• Ability to complete required background checks and maintain certifications required by Elevate.

Working Environment

EYS’s youth programs represent fast-paced, dynamic environments. The program participants experience successes and challenges on a daily basis. The program offers many opportunities for creative program development, while maintaining appropriate accountability for the participants. Evening and weekend work will be required.

EYS provides direct services to youth and families in Washington County, as well as administration of several statewide programs. Its mission is to promote safety, competence, and confidence as youth create their path through adolescence and into adulthood. All EYS employees attend a staff meeting once a month, as well as other staff development events throughout the year.

Benefits:

Vacation Allowance: 15 days

Personal Days: 3 days

Holidays: 13 days

Sick Leave: 10 days

Health Insurance: Yes

Long Term Disability: Yes

Life Insurance: Yes

403B TSA Plan: Yes

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Yes

50% Discount Green Mountain Community Fitness membership: Yes

Applicants: Please submit cover letter, resume and 3 references to: jobs@elevateyouthvt.org

Elevate Youth Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, including those with lived-experience or from underrepresented groups, to apply. All qualifi ed applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pay: From $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Drivers License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Barre, VT 05641 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $27