LGBTQIA2S+ School Outreach Specialist

$22.50 an hour.

Full-time; Monday through Friday, some evenings and weekends required

314 SW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community?  Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives?  New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient LGBTQIA2S+ School Outreach Specialist to join our East Connect Outreach team.

As an LGBTQIA2S+ School Outreach Specialist you’ll work with schools and districts in East Multnomah County to foster more structured supportive environments for LGBTQIA2S+ students. This includes: leading and providing startup and ongoing support for school-based GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) clubs, mentoring and supporting teachers who act as GSA advisors, and planning a few yearly community events.  You’ll also collect feedback and data to create a guide for other districts in Oregon to implement similar programming to support LGBTQIA2S+ students.

Join New Avenues and…

• Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
• Thrive in a Supportive Team: Collaborate and coordinate with both the Outreach team and the LGBTSIA2S+ Teams to streamline services for youth
• Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
• Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
• Generous holiday, personal, and paid time off (PTO) allowances to support your work-life balance and personal needs.  Roughly five weeks of available time in year one with an additional week added in year two.
• Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

Who You Are: 

• Experienced: You have experience with and commitment to working with youth who face multiple barriers, as well as sexual and gender minority and culturally diverse staff, participants and community
• Understanding: You’re understanding of diversity, anti-racist, and equity frameworks that support the various needs of a thriving community and program, and of the issues of LGBTQ2IA+ youth, particularly in the school environment, substance abuse, mental health, trauma, abuse, and adolescent development, including brain development
• Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your promises to young people.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
• Equity: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning. Due to the overrepresentation of youth of color and LGBTQIA2S+ youth impacted by systemic barriers to accessing resources, this position centers culturally specific and responsive services for youth

What You’ll Do:

• Be a Mentor and Guide: Support middle and high schools in East Multnomah County to create and maintain robust GSA clubs. This includes both acting as a GSA advisor in place of a teacher or staff, as well as mentoring other teachers and staff to more effectively support their GSA clubs. Build genuine connections with youth, share relevant and intentional experiences to instill confidence and build trust.
• Empower Through Advocacy: Help young people navigate complex systems, advocate for their needs in the school environment, and support schools in developing institutional policies more supportive of sexual and gender minority youth.
• Support Growth and Learning: Create programming for GSA clubs that supports youth identity, advocacy, and confidence development. Plan and hold 3 yearly community events to support LGBTQIA2S+ youth outside of school.
• Document the Journey: Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring that our programs have the data they need to thrive and continue serving those who need it most. Use extensive feedback from students and staff to support the creation of a best practices manual for school districts throughout Oregon to utilize.

Qualifications:

• 3 years of lived, worked or educational experience in education, social work, youth advocacy and/or community organizing
• Valid driver’s license, reliable access to an automobile, and active auto insurance

Preferred: experience with data and documentation, experience with classroom or school-based programming

Apply Today:

If you’re ready to use your desire to ignite hope and inspire change, we encourage you to apply today by visiting the website and simply clicking on the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the bottom of the position screen and attach your resume and cover letter.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.