Teen Center Director

About Us

Essex CHIPS (Community Health Initiatives and Programs for Students) empowers youth through positive relationships, skill-building, and community engagement. As we prepare to reopen our Teen Center at 2 Lincoln Street in Essex Junction, we are seeking an energetic Teen Center Director to lead our afterschool program and create a welcoming, safe, and engaging space for youth. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the program as we reopen our space!

Summary of Position

The Teen Center Director oversees daily operations of the Teen and Tween Center, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for 4th–9th graders. This position requires strong youth work skills, creativity, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with students, caregivers, and staff. Our ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a passion for working with youth.

This is a hybrid position, with on-site hours during program time and remote work for planning, reporting, and communication.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for Teen and Tween Center participants.
• Keep accurate attendance records and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Use a variety of positive techniques to address behavioral issues when needed.
• Serve as the primary contact between Essex CHIPS, schools, caregivers, UVM Public Health program administrators, interns, and volunteers.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to: Plan and implement special event programming, inform grant applications and reports related to Teen Center programming, publicize Teen Center activities and events, coordinate daily schedules with outside groups and partners.
• Plan, shop (using a privately owned vehicle), and prepare healthy snacks, games, STEM activities, and arts and crafts.
• Follow a budget and maintain documentation for Teen Center program spending and staffing.
• Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers; lead bi-annual volunteer trainings and coordinate background checks.
• Engage volunteers based on their interests and talents to create new programming opportunities.
• Seek regular opportunities for professional development/continuing education and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments, trends, and best practices in relevant fields, e.g., quality youth development, substance use prevention.
• Open and close the Teen Center, including cleaning and securing the building (may be delegated to other staff or volunteers).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Previous experience working with children
• Background check required
• Access to a personal vehicle
• Driving record check for insurance purposes
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to become certified

Schedule: 25–30 hours per week Mon-Fri

Core hours: 1:00pm–6:30pm (varies slightly by day)

Compensation & Benefits

• $23–$27/hour, based on experience, paid bi-weekly by direct deposit
• Option to enroll in Vermont Saves
• 40 hours of sick time per year (per Vermont law for all employees)
• Vacation/personal time: 3 weeks (15 days) per year, prorated for part-time employees
• 11 paid holidays

Location: 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction (Five Corners, on the bus line)

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Thank you for your interest!