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Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP)
Youth Education Director Job description

MAP is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion and strives to build a staff that reflects the communities we serve.  We encourage qualified members of diverse communities to apply. MAP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Position Title:  Youth Education Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Organization Summary: The mission of the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) is to nurture the growth of a diverse and equitable community food system to promote local economic opportunities, access to affordable nutritious food and social change education.  MAP’s Growing Green Program is a year-round youth development initiative that involves youth in solving Buffalo’s challenges related to nutrition and healthy food access. The program trains urban youth in urban agriculture, food systems issues, microenterprise development and leadership. 

Position Summary: As a key member of our team, the Growing Green Youth Education Director, will be responsible for coordination of all youth job training, education and support services, and will work closely with program staff to involve in hands-on learning in sustainable food production and marketing, social justice and civic engagement, cooking, nutrition, microenterprise development, and youth development and leadership education.  

Primary Responsibilities Include:                                                     

• Coordinate and work closely with program staff to implement Urban Agriculture training curriculum, covering topics of food systems, food justice, social enterprise, nutrition, community building and leadership development for a diverse population of urban teens.  This includes planning and overseeing a 6 week youth summer employment curriculum for 30-35 teens and school year training program for up to 20 teens.

• Coordinate summer employment recruitment and applications with youth through the City and County Summer Youth Employment Programs

• Recruit and orient team leaders and interns for summer program

• Mentor and support teens through life transitions

• Work closely with other program staff to coordinate and schedule youth training at MAP’s farm, youth garden, kitchen and Mobile Market 

• Coordinate youth work schedule as well as lessons, speakers and discussion topics for weekly youth meetings during school year program

• Develop, organize, evaluate and revise year round curriculum topics, including identity and cultural exploration

• Evaluate and report on youth learning outcomes and program outcomes; revise curriculum as needed

• Represent MAP in work with partner organizations 

• Assist youth in maintaining consistent youth blog and web presence; develop & edit media content

• Provide academic and family supports and mentoring to Growing Green participants to ensure high school graduation and enrollment in college or further training. 

Other responsibilities include:

• Assess youth needs, communicate with families and schools as appropriate and refer youth to support services or do home visits, as needed

• Help facilitate and raise funds for youth trips to national and regional conferences

• Coordinate transportation for field trips and other youth-related events

• Supervise and train interns and volunteers

• Assist with MAP fundraising events and coordinate youth participation in these events

• Contribute to online newsletters and other communications with MAP members and supporters

• Assist with strategic planning, program reporting and evaluation 

Qualifications and required skills:

• At least 2 years experience working with or teaching youth, ages 14-20, in an urban setting

• Experience with popular education or other non-traditional teaching techniques or training in non-traditional settings

• Ability to engage and build strong positive relationships with and between young people

• Ability to prioritize youth voices, listen and make space for youth to grow

• Experience working with diverse, low-income populations

• Knowledge of sustainable urban agriculture, regional food systems and/or social enterprise

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including social media fluency

• Experience doing youth organizing helpful

• Flexibility, sense of humor and passion for creating youth leaders a must

• Bi-lingual preferred; People of Color and those who identify as LGBTQ  encouraged to apply

• Own transportation and current driver’s license helpful

Salary range & benefits: $36,000- $38,000, depending on qualifications. We also offer benefits including health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, and vacation and sick time.

How to apply:  Please submit resume and cover letter by Jan 1, 2020 to:

Diane Picard at  dpnoc@mass-ave.org OR

Massachusetts Avenue Project

 387 Massachusetts Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14213

Click HERE for a PDF copy of the job description.