Youth and Career Development Program Manager

Friends of the High Line seeks a Youth And Career Development Manager to lead the High Line Teen Employment Program. This is a paid skills-building, leadership development opportunity for local youth that is rooted in civic engagement and leadership, arts & culture, and ecological horticulture & sustainability. The High Line Teen Employment Program consists of pathway learning (Jan - June) summer employment opportunities through internal and external residencies and Teen-led park tours, and extra opportunity hours throughout the year supporting on and off the High Line programs and activities. It also focuses on sustaining vibrant and ongoing alumni engagement and external learning opportunities with community partners.

The Youth And Career Development Manager will serve as lead facilitator and curriculum developer for the Civic Engagement and Horticulture learning pathways, ensuring youth- and equity-centered programming that meets the needs and interests of Teen staff. They will also support the evaluation and impact of youth programs as well as summer employment opportunities, including internal and external residencies and Teen-led park tours. 

This position will report to the Chief Program and Engagement Officer, work closely with the Senior Manager of Schools and Family Programs, and work across multiple High Line departments, including but not limited to Art, Community Engagement, Horticulture, Visitor Services, and the High Line Network. 

Primary Responsibilities

Program Administration 

• Support the management and administration of the High Line’s Teen staff program, including hiring, payroll, and program budget. 
• Establish and build momentum around internal and external mentorship opportunities. 
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements as related to Teen staff through grant reporting methods, as needed. 
• Ensure effective systems to measure program success and outcomes that can be effectively communicated to the Chief Program and Engagement Officer and other departments. 
• Develop and utilize evaluation metrics to drive program growth and improvement.
• Manage outreach, recruitment, attendance, and supervision of Teen staff members. 
• Work with the Senior Manager of Schools and Family Programs to identify and deepen content and engagement connections and ensure curriculum coordination across all High Line education programs. 

Youth Development and Departmental Advancement 

• Design and implement Civic Engagement and Horticulture learning pathway curricula individually or in partnership with external partners.
• Design, develop, and facilitate high-quality, culturally sustaining interdisciplinary curriculum built on best practices in the field, research, and innovation. 
• Intentionally create a safe and empowering space for High Line Teen staff, maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and participatory space. 
• Provide teen staff with support, skills building, and resources related to their potential careers, academic, and individual interests in relationship to the High Line and the High  Line Network members. 
• Identify and deepen access to content and experience to as wide a swath of sectors and industries related to the High Line.
• Foster the cultivation and development of a Youth Alumni Network through alumni events, newsletters, etc. 
• Lead and expand structured mentor and summer residency program opportunities internally as well as externally.
• Plan and execute the High Line Teen program’s annual culminating event. 
• Collaborate with City Council and other external partners to support Participatory Budgeting, People’s Money, and other civic engagement efforts. 
• Create content for High Line Youth social media channels, e-blasts, newsletters, and blog posts. 
• Collaborate with the High Line Community Engagement and Horticulture teams and external community and green space partners to curate curricula and experiences.

Partnerships & Collaboration 

• Establish partnerships with mission-aligned organizations with the explicit aim of extending mentorship and apprentice opportunities for teen staff.  
• Develop and cultivate connections and collaboration with community organizations,  educational institutions, businesses, and community leaders to generate opportunities and build community for program participants. 
• Maintain and strengthen the High Line’s connection to local teens and the greater NYC  youth development community by collaborating on youth alumni events and contributing to public resource-sharing opportunities such as conferences etc. 

Requirements

Desired experience of a successful candidate may include the following, but candidates will no