POSITION OVERVIEW

The High School Program Coordinator is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of King Street Center’s Academic & Career Exploration (ACE) Program, which provides high school students with equitable opportunities to discover their passions, gain hands-on experience, and build a foundation for a successful future. This role ensures that all programming aligns with best practices for high school youth engagement, emphasizing career exploration, employability skills, mentorship, and flexibility to accommodate students’ varied responsibilities and interests. The Coordinator will foster a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where students can navigate academics, develop professional skills, and explore career and post-secondary education pathways.
King Street Center is a vibrant nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity. We offer a variety of programs ranging from mentoring, out-of-school programming and early childhood education. Located in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, King Street Center serves predominantly BIPOC children from Burlington’s immigrant communities.
We strive to be one of the most racially diverse places to work in Vermont, as a community where both our youth and colleagues have shared identities or experiences. As a BIPOC led organization, serving BIPOC children and families, King Street is committed to centering equity, inclusion, and belonging in all facets of our work. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children in the Burlington community and you have personal, life or work experience with the communities we serve, we would love to hear from you!

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge

• Knowledge of effective high school afterschool programming models, including career exploration, social-emotional learning, and mentorship best practices.
• Understanding of barriers to post-secondary education and employment for low-income youth and strategies to support them.
• Adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, youth career exploration, community resources, and financial literacy.

Skills

• Strong group facilitation, behavior management, and youth engagement skills.
• Ability to build partnerships with businesses, schools, and community organizations to enhance program opportunities.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage youth, families, staff, and external partners.
• Proficiency in data tracking, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Relationship-building, mentorship, program design, behavior management, and conflict resolution.
• Inspire and empower youth, work collaboratively, manage program logistics, and create a safe, engaging environment.

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience working with high school youth, particularly in mentoring, career readiness, academic support, or workforce development.
• Experience supporting youth from diverse backgrounds, including low-income, immigrant, and refugee communities.
• Must pass a criminal background check through the VT Child Care Development Division.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle report.
• Experience working with low-income communities and immigrant, refugee and BIPOC youth and families is required.
• Proficiency in additional languages (particularly Nepali, Maay Maay, Somali, Burmese, or Swahili) is a plus.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in education, youth development, or a related field preferred.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Instills trust- gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
• Manages ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
• Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
• Being resilient- Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
• Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
• Curiosity - Consistently seeks opportunities to learn, ask questions, and explore new ideas to improve outcomes and drive continuous growth.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK CONDITIONS

Work is conducted inside and outside during all seasons. Must be able to be physically active, participate in gross motor games, and walk distances to neighborhood sites. Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasional interaction with children and families exhibiting some instability in their behavior. Some potential for risks to physical safety and security of the facility. Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.

RELATIONSHIPS & ROLES

• Reports directly to the Director of the ACE Program.
• Works closely with BHS faculty and staff, after school coordinators, and community partners to support youth.
• Collaborates with other King Street Center programs (early childhood, K-5, middle school, family support, mentoring) to create a seamless support system for youth.
• Builds relationships with local businesses, colleges, and professionals to expand student opportunities.