Digital Youth Programs Specialist

**The Opportunity**

SAIT Youth Initiatives is hiring a Digital Youth Programs Specialist to join our team. This role is a temporary position, with a guaranteed minimum of forty hour shifts per week. This position involves providing support to the Project Manager, Strategic Youth Initiatives, and working closely with the other Digital Youth Programs Specialists to ensure the successful planning and delivery of Digital Youth Program experiences for youth aged 12- 18. As a facilitator, you will be responsible for instructing and engaging youth in grades 6-12, parents, and teachers about emerging technologies through our Digital Youth Programs.

If you have a strong understanding of technology, enjoy working with youth, and can foster an interactive and inclusive learning environment, we encourage you to apply. Particular focus will be on facilitating experiences that allow youth to engage in a digital learning pathway that explores the awareness, mindset, skills of emerging technologies in our digital society. Furthermore, building and maintaining critical relationships with key stakeholders throughout secondary, post-secondary, industry, and community organizations, is an important aspect of this role, as well as the ability to plan and implement programming for youth quickly and effectively.

The position will also support other members of the Youth Initiatives team as needed. The focus areas within SAIT’s youth initiatives area include: Dual-Credit programs, exploratory and transition programs to support youth in making the transition from high school to post-secondary, digital youth programs, camp programs, and programs that support vulnerable youth populations

This role is a face to face role involving working either on campus or in a secondary school as needed.

Regular schedule will be Monday to Friday approximately 8:30am - 4:30pm. There will at times be a need for weekend (Saturdays) and evening work. Must be available for both.

SAIT’s Youth Initiatives contribute to SAIT’s overall strategic goals and the person in this role will be a key stakeholder in contributing to delivering on the goals of the youth initiatives area.

**The Role**:

- ** Program Delivery**:

- Instruct and lead Digital Youth Programs for youth in grades 6-12 and parents.
- Adapt lesson plans to accommodate varying learning needs and skill levels of participants.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
- Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to participants during program sessions.
- Comfortable to deliver programming to a youth/parent audience or teacher audience.
- Assists with coordination of special events on SAIT Campus and offsite.
- Assist other team members as needed with program areas, including delivering sessions for youth programs as required.
- Utilize data provided through various means to make informed and strategic programming decisions and recommendations.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of participants during program activities.
- Implement and enforce safety protocols and guidelines to create a secure environment.
- Respond promptly and appropriately to any emergencies or incidents that may occur while the program is being delivered.
- Other duties as required to support the vision and goals of SAIT Youth Initiatives.
- **
Program Development/Technical Updates**:

- Work with other program coordinators to create new workshops for digital youth programs, incorporating up to date technology concepts and topics.
- Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in digital technology to enhance program content.
- Troubleshoot technical issues that may arise during program sessions and provide solutions or seek assistance when needed.
- Maintain the software and hardware in the digital youth programs as needed.
- **
Communication and Reporting**:

- Maintain effective communication with participants, parents/guardians, teachers, and program specialists.
- Ensure programs surveys completed for delivery of each workshop.
- Provide regular progress updates and feedback on participants' engagement and skill development.
- Assisting with designing, developing, and maintaining administrative tools, resources and documents related to Digital Youth Programs.
- Evaluates effectiveness of programs; identifies trends in participant feedback, surveys, attendance, etc.

**Qualifications**:

- ** Education & Experience**:

- ** Minimum Required**:

- Diploma or certificate in technology related studies
- 2 years working with youth as a program facilitator
- Experience in researching and implementing new technologies (software or hardware) to enhance the learning experience for youth.
- Ability to quickly build rapport and create an engaging learning environment.
- Ability to troubleshoot technology issues in the context of this program quickly.
- ** Preferred**:

- Bachelor's degree in education, or computer sciences (or equivale