Youth Program Specialist

Position Title: Level 1 - YOUTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 

FLSA: Hourly, Full-Time 

Compensation Range: $69,000 - $72,000  

Schedule: 40 hours/week | Monday - Friday, with some nights and weekends

 
Location: 100% In-Person, on-site in San Francisco, CA 

Start Date: January  2026 

Mission:  

Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC) is one of the Bay Area’s oldest 
Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations, with 106 years of service to San Francisco. A beacon of Black 
joy and self-determination, we have nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans. We stand 
embedded as an anchor institution, fostering intergenerational bonds and working in solidarity with allied 
communities to reform and reimagine a more inclusive San Francisco. We prioritize serving the Black 
community, and we welcome all individuals from all cultures and ages, from 0 to 99, who walk through our 
door. We are one of the few urban spaces where anyone in the community can access comprehensive 
services, ranging from a hot meal to childcare, academic support, and senior services.  

Summary:

The Level 1 Teacher (K–2nd Grade) plays a central role in delivering high-quality literacy, academic 
enrichment, and culturally responsive programming rooted in the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom 
School model. This role combines classroom teaching, youth development, and family engagement to create 
a joyful, safe, and culturally affirming environment for early elementary scholars. 

The Level 1 Teacher integrates the CDF Freedom School’s Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), leads 
Harambee activities, cultivates a love of reading, and embeds social-emotional learning and identity-affirming 
instruction into daily practice. The teacher builds strong relationships with scholars and families, practices a 
trauma-informed and culturally sustaining approach, and collaborates closely with staff across BTWCSC to 
support whole-child and whole-family well-being. 

This position requires strong classroom management, instructional expertise, creativity, warmth, and a 
commitment to youth empowerment and literacy justice. 

Essential Duties:

 
Instruction & Classroom Leadership: 

Deliver daily lessons using the CDF Freedom School Integrated Reading Curriculum, supporting 
scholars’ literacy growth, social-emotional development, and cultural identity.

 Facilitate Harambee as a culturally grounded community-building practice—rooted in the Swahili 
concept meaning “all pull together” or “let’s work together”—that uses ritual, call-and-response, 
affirmation, and shared reflection to build collective joy, belonging, and accountability while 
strengthening students’ social-emotional readiness and engagement in learning.

Create a safe, structured, and stimulating classroom environment that centers Black joy, belonging, and 
early childhood development.

Develop age-appropriate lesson plans and enrichment activities aligned with Freedom School themes 
and BTWCSC values.

 Support students’ academic success through one-on-one, small-group, and whole-group instruction. 

Model positive behavior and foster consistent routines, expectations, and classroom rituals.

Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers to support scholar progress and deepen family 
partnership. 

Youth Development & Cultural Identity Building: 

Implement culturally sustaining pedagogy that honors scholars’ lived experiences and cultural 
backgrounds.

Support identity formation for young children, cultivating confidence, curiosity, and self-expression.

Encourage leadership development through voice, choice, and cooperative learning structures.

Promote emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy peer relationships.

Program Operations:

Set up and break down the classroom daily; maintain bulletin boards, learning stations, and student 
work displays.

Support Level 1 program operations by collecting and documenting basic data, including attendance, 
participation notes, behavior observations, and supporting the administration of scholar and family 
surveys as directed.

Supervise youth during transitions, playtime, field trips, meals, and enrichment blocks.

Assist with snack distribution, safety protocols, attendance tracking, and emergency procedures.

Support and participate in field trips, family engagement events, showcases, and center-wide activities.

 Collaborate with enrichment partners and support instructors in classroom management.

Attend all required staff meetings, professional development, and Freedom School trainings. 

Qualifications & Skills Required :

Valid Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject or equivalent).

Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Education, Child Development, or related field strongly preferred.

Minimum two years of experience working with young children (K–2nd), preferably in school or youth 
program settings.

Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and the unique needs of Black, Brown, and 
marginalized communities.

Ability to design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons.

 Strong classroom management rooted in compassion, structure, and youth empowerment.

Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.

Emotional maturity, integrity, and commitment to BTWCSC’s mission.

CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

Food Safety/ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain).

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and remain active throughout the shift.

Preferred:

Familiarity with Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom School, culturally responsive teaching, or 
literacy intervention models.

Experience working in community-based organizations or expanded learning programs.

Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.

Valid driver's license preferred.

Schedule: 

Monday–Friday, approximately 9-6pm during the school year (subject to SFUSD bell schedules).

Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00pm during summer Freedom School and camp programming. 

Required CDF National Ella Baker Trainer & Servant Leader Intern Training in Tennessee: 
May 31 – June 8 (travel days included). 

Occasional nights and weekends for family events, workshops, staff training sessions, or community 
building events.

Professional Expectations:

The Level 1 Teacher is expected to model BTWCSC’s values of Black joy, community, compassion, and 
excellence. Staff in this role should: 

Work respectfully and confidently across diverse cultures, identities, and backgrounds.

Maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality at all times.

Show genuine care for youth and families, and demonstrate a commitment to serving vulnerable and 
historically marginalized communities.

Build positive relationships with scholars, families, coworkers, and partners.

 Exercise sound judgment, respond calmly to challenges, and make thoughtful decisions that support 
student well-being.

Bring creativity, flexibility, and a problem-solving mindset to a fast-paced learning environment.

Welcome feedback, continuous growth, and new approaches that strengthen program quality.

Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and consistent follow-through in all responsibilities. 

Benefits & Compensation: 

BTWCSC offers a competitive compensation package with paid time off, holidays, robust health benefits, and a 
salary commensurate with experience. This position is full-time and exempt with an annual salary range of 
$69,000 - $72,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision benefits

 Paid time off, including 15 days of vacation, holidays, and Center seasonal breaks/closures

Workers’ compensation coverage

 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 Monthly wellness benefit after 90 days 

Access to daily hot meals and snacks 

Commuter benefits after 90 days 

Life and disability insurance 

401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match (1% employee contribution required) 

Professional development opportunities, including conferences, seminars, webinars, and trainings

BTWCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All employment decisions 
are based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 
national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other protected status. In 
accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest 
and conviction records. 

To Apply: 
Please submit your application directly through BambooHR. Do not email resumes or application 
materials. 

Your BambooHR submission must include: 

A brief cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position 

A current résumé or CV 

Copies of any relevant certifications

Minimum of three (3) references, including at least one recent supervisor 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final candidates must successfully complete a LiveScan and 
full background check.