Middle School Program Instructor

Location: Oakland, CA 

Employment Type: Seasonal, Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Season: School Year (approximately August–May)

Reports to: Site Coordinator/Manager

About Oakland Leaf 

Oakland Leaf was founded in 2001 by a collective of East Oakland educators intent on empowering youth voice. For more than 25 years, Oakland Leaf has evolved into a highly regarded leader in youth development and out-of-school time learning. We facilitate culturally relevant expanded learning programming for approximately 1,300 K–12 East Oakland students through seven afterschool programs at public elementary and middle schools, one paid internship program for high school students, and two 5-week summer camps. Our programming emphasizes social and emotional learning, creative expression, critical thinking, leadership development, social justice, and college and career readiness grounded in our core values of Love in Action, Cultivation, Community, Youth Voice, and Critical Thinking.

Position Overview

The Middle School Program Instructor is the frontline heartbeat of Oakland Leaf's expanded learning program at the middle school level. .This role is responsible for facilitating engaging, youth-centered activities for 20 middle school aged students, building authentic relationships with every child in their class, supporting students' social-emotional development, and contributing to a site culture that is warm, inclusive, and full of life. 

Students in 6th through 8th grade are navigating identity formation, peer relationships, puberty, increasing independence, and real community stressors and pressures that do not stop at the school door. The Middle School Program Instructor understands this and shows up every day committed to being a positive, consistent, values-aligned presence.

For someone who is passionate about working with young children, wants to make a real difference in the lives of Oakland youth, and is looking for a meaningful entry point into the field of youth development or education, this is an opportunity to do work that matters.

Specific Duties & responsibilities

Activity Facilitation & Curriculum Delivery (40%)

• Implement and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive curriculum for assigned middle school student groups  following Oakland Leaf's program framework and daily schedule
• Prepare for activities in advance including gathering materials, reviewing curriculum lesson plan, and arriving ready to deliver a high-quality experience for students every day
• Bring creativity, energy, and genuine enthusiasm to activity facilitation including facilitating experiences that spark curiosity, invite participation, and reflect the interests and identities of the students in the group
• Deliver assigned curriculum with fidelity including any enrichment content, social-emotional learning activities, or structured programs assigned by the Site Coordinator/Manager.
• Adapt activities in real time based on student engagement, group dynamics, and the natural energy of the afternoon staying responsive and flexible while maintaining structure and purpose

Relationship Building & Youth Development (30%)

• Build authentic, caring, and consistent relationships with every student in the assigned group including learning names, interests, strengths, and challenges, and showing up as a trusted adult presence every day
• Create a group environment where every 6th to 8th grade student feels seen, welcomed, and excited to participate especially students who are shy, new to the program, or struggling to connect
• Support the identity development, leadership, and critical thinking of middle school youth, creating space for youth voice, honest conversation, and meaningful choices within the program
• Hold boundaries clearly and consistently, responding to middle school testing behavior, peer conflicts, and challenging dynamics with firmness, warmth, and a restorative rather than punitive approach
• Navigate the complexity of middle school social dynamics with skill, understanding peer pressure, group identity, and adolescent behavior well enough to respond effectively rather than reactively
• Maintain professional, warm, and culturally responsive relationships with families at pickup including communicating student highlights and concerns to the Site Coordinator/Manager as appropriate

Student Safety & Supervision (20%)

• Maintain active, attentive supervision of all students in the assigned group at all times ensuring every child is accounted for, safe, and appropriately engaged throughout the program day
• Follow Oakland Leaf's safety protocols for student transitions, outdoor activities, bathroom breaks, emergency procedures, and incident reporting
• Respond to student injuries, illnesses, and safety concerns immediately and calmly notifying the Site Coordinator/Manager and following established protocols without delay
• Contribute to a physically safe program environment by keeping activity spaces organized, hazard-free, and appropriate for the ages and needs of students served

Program Operations & Team Contribution (10%)

• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to contribute every program day 
• Participate actively in site staff meetings, required training sessions, and professional development opportunities  bringing a growth mindset and a collaborative spirit to every team interaction
• Support daily site operations as directed by the Site Coordinator  including activity transitions, space setup and cleanup, snack distribution, and end-of-day dismissal
• Communicate student concerns, behavioral observations, and program challenges to the Site Coordinator/Manager clearly and promptly, never holding important student information until it becomes urgent
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive site team culture  supporting colleagues, celebrating wins, and approaching challenges with solutions rather than complaints

Additional duties may be assigned by the Site Coordinator/Manager, or Associate Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong commitment to Oakland Leaf's mission and belief in the power of youth leadership and equity in education
• Genuine enthusiasm for working with 6th–8th grade students with the confidence, patience, and relational sophistication that adolescent youth require
• At least 1 year of experience working with youth in a program, school, camp, community, or recreational setting, experience with middle school or adolescent populations strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with middle school youth including students who are disengaged, testing boundaries, or navigating significant life challenges
• Understanding of adolescent development including the social, emotional, and behavioral dynamics specific to 6th–8th grade students
• Ability to hold clear boundaries with warmth and firmness and to apply restorative rather than punitive approaches to conflict and behavior
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively within a site team and communicate student concerns clearly and promptly to site leadership
• Reliability, punctuality, and follow-through; middle school students notice when adults are inconsistent, and consistency is one of the most powerful tools this role has
• High cultural competency and a commitment to building inclusive, youth-centered program environments
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must pass a background check in accordance with California law and Oakland Unified School District requirements

Education & Experience

• Experience: 1 year of experience working with youth in any setting; experience with middle school or adolescent populations strongly preferred; expanded learning or school-based experience a plus
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; some college coursework in Child Development, Education, Youth Development, or a related field preferred; units toward a Child Development Permit a plus

Working conditions/physical demands

• On-site position including daily presence at the assigned expanded learning site required during all program hours
• Program hours are seasonal and align with the school year calendar  typically afternoons during school days with some hours for training and events
• Highly active role, ability to be on your feet, move around the program space, and engage physically and energetically with elementary-age students throughout the program day
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs for program setup, activity materials, and supply coordination
• Occasional evenings for family events and organizational celebrations; occasional morning hours for staff trainings 

Compensation

• $22.00–$27.00 per hour, depending on experience
• Paid School Breaks and sick leave in accordance with California law
• Access to Professional Development opportunities during the program year

Oakland Leaf is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any individual, employee, or application for employment on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $22 - $27