Youth Engagement Specialist

To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to apply@tacomaboatbuilders.org

Who we are:

Tacoma Boat Builders (TBB) is dedicated to creating transformational opportunities for marginalized and underserved youth through positive mentorship and the art of craftsmanship. We pair young individuals with experienced craftspeople to collaboratively create objects of functional beauty, fostering prosocial and team-centered behaviors that enhance empathy, altruism, and optimism.

Our vision at TBB is to break down barriers that inhibit at-risk youth, empowering them to acquire the skills, integrity, and confidence necessary for active citizenship and workforce readiness. We strive to cultivate a sense of belonging, learning, and growth among young participants, restoring their sense of self-worth and value to the community.

Organizational Values:

Integrity: We honor integrity in ourselves and others.

Respect: We hold respect for all individuals, communities, and cultures, promoting diversity and equity as core organizational values.

Kindness: We believe that kindness is essential in all our interactions and endeavors.

Hope and Dreams: We recognize the importance of nurturing hope and dreams in all individuals, working to restore them when circumstances threaten their realization.

Supportive Environment: We aspire to create a supportive environment where youth can freely express themselves and feel empowered to continue their personal growth beyond our workshops.

Knowledge Sharing: Our volunteers, staff, and partners are dedicated to sharing knowledge, experience, and wisdom with younger generations through the art of craftsmanship and boat building. Alongside woodworking skills, participants learn valuable lessons in trust, active listening, self-awareness, and respect for others.

At Tacoma Boat Builders, we're committed to fostering a community within a community, where people of different generations come together to learn, share, and grow. We look forward to collaborating with you to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and our broader community.

Position Summary:

The Youth Engagement Specialist plays a vital role in fostering enduring relationships with both current program participants and alumni, ensuring their ongoing connection with our organization and its extensive network of community resources. Central to this role is providing dedicated support to youth, utilizing mentoring, positive youth development strategies, social-emotional learning, trauma informed care, one-on-one sessions, and regular check-ins. Beyond nurturing relationships, there are abundant opportunities to engage youth in hands-on woodworking projects in our shop or boating activities on the water.

We seek an individual who can authentically connect with our youth, cultivating meaningful and lasting bonds that empower them to thrive in their unique pathways to success. Our ideal candidate fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment, where all youth—regardless of identity—feel safe to express their true selves without fear of judgment or exclusion. Someone who is motivated and determined to provide impactful mentorship to all youth who participate in our programs.

As our organization expands its reach to serve more youth and community members, this role plays a pivotal part in our growth and impact within the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Youth Resource Connection and Network Building:

• Identify and connect youth with appropriate community resources and partners.
• Cultivate relationships with new community partners to expand support networks.

Referral Coordination and Alumni Network Management:

• Coordinate with Youth Program Manager & referral agencies to facilitate smooth referral processes.
• Maintain timely & appropriate communication with youth and families referred to us through various sources
• Develop and maintain a strong alumni network to provide ongoing opportunities for participation in current programs.

Transportation Planning & Driving

• Coordinate with referral agencies and youth to map out daily transportation routes
• Drive or ride along in 15 passenger van with youth passengers with safety prioritized

Administrative Duties and Progress Monitoring:

• Maintain organized physical case files, evaluation records, and digital information systems.
• Monitor youth progress through meticulous data collection.

Program Evaluation and Post-Program Debrief:

• Lead post-program debrief sessions with staff and volunteer mentors, ensuring confidentiality and updating youth profiles.
• Establish regular program evaluations to continuously work to improve program quality

Youth Engagement and Relationship Building:

• Regularly engage with youth through various communication channels.
• Foster trusting relationships focused on enhancing competence, negotiation, and empathy.

Case Management and Support Services:

• Provide comprehensive case management, including individual check-ins, referrals, follow-up, family support and court process’ support.
• Ensure each youth's individual needs are heard, understood, and met.

Professional Development and Data Management:

• Demonstrate ongoing commitment to professional skill development
• Conduct youth surveys and manage collected data for feedback and program improvement.
• Work with Youth Programs Manager to maintain organized digital data collection

Daily Program Preparations:

• Working directly with other program staff to prepare, maintain and organize public programming materials
• Working with Program Facilitators to prepare the shop space for program including but not limited to sweeping, organizing, restocking snacks and other materials

In addition to these duties, be prepared to fulfill other assigned responsibilities in support of Tacoma Boat Builders' mission and objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Recreational Therapy, other human services, or comparable experience. Two years of full-time experience assisting youth or other similar human services experience is required.
• Have or be willing to obtain boaters safety license.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Have experience with transportation using a 15 passenger van, or be willing to learn to drive a 15 passenger van
• Strong desire to work with youth and help the community.
• Must have strong interpersonal communication skills.
• At least one year of experience serving youth from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. This includes but is not limited to housing status, race, class, sex, sexuality, gender, disability, ethnicity.
• Ability to build rapport and work well with underserved youth.
• Ability to gather, analyze and use data to create, manage, and evaluate various programs to meet the needs of youth.
• Ability to implement social skill-building.
• Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and the public school system. Knowledge of Alcohol/drug, mental health, and youth gang issues.
• Spoken and written English language proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• CRM – Database Management, experience with Salesforce a plus
• Communication skills: verbal and written, team-based work.
• Organization and Social Skills in complex intergenerational and intersectional space.
• People with lived experience within or around the criminal justice system are strongly encouraged to apply.

TBB's School Year Schedule at a glance

Monday & Friday: Office/Pop-up Programming

Typical Shift: 9 -5:30pm

Program Days 10:30am-7pm

Tuesday - Thursdays: Program Days

Typical Shift: 10:30am - 7pm

Transportation Shifts: 11am/12pm - 7:30/8pm

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to apply@tacomaboatbuilders.org.

Desired Qualifications:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Social-Emotional Learning, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed and Responsive, Referral-based youth work, Current youth culture, Conflict Resolution/Management, Restorative Justice

Work Environment:

The work environment for this position is richly diverse, spanning across multiple settings that include offices, workshops, dockyards, boats, and occasional off site visits in various conditions.

Our programs are after school and typically run into the later evening. This work requires that applicants are able to participate in regular weekly programs that are later than a typical work schedule.

Physical Requirements:

The nature of work requires an ability to effectively communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents operating standard business office equipment. The job requires a diverse work environment which could include climbing stairs and walking on uneven terrain. Ability to lift 35 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and quickly, including answering phones, attending meetings, written correspondence or other forms of communication.
• Ability to organize various office systems through adjusting, connecting, lifting, pulling, pushing, bending or folding for the purpose of proper records development and/or management.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

Tacoma Boat Builders is a 501 © 3 non-profit agency and will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, ethnicity, gender, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, or status with regard to public assistance.

How to apply: To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to apply@tacomaboatbuilders.org, or by mail to 1120 East D St., Tacoma, WA 98421. Position is open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

License/Certification:

• Washington State Drivers License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Tacoma, WA 98421 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tacoma, WA 98421: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $28