Office Location: This position will be hybrid, working both in the Washington D.C. office at least two days a week, as well as remotely, engaging with staff and stakeholders through virtual platforms.

Reports to: Managing Director of DC Programs

Schedule: Part-Time Contract- Independent Contractor will work up to 15 hours per week between December 2024 and April 2025.

Mikva Challenge is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens and community members who will promote a just and equitable society.  We do this by engaging youth in Action Civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise. Youth in Mikva’s programming experience unique civic learning opportunities in political campaigns, public policy advocacy, government internships, and youth activism programs. Our approaches include direct youth work, teacher support, and liaising with civic leaders and institutions. We believe strongly in the potential of youth and are committed to youth power and voice.

Mikva Challenge evaluations show the lasting impact of its programs.

  • 82% of students reported an increase in their civic knowledge.
  • 77% of students developed their sense of civic agency and increased their future commitment to civic action.
  • 83% of students took on new civic leadership.
  • 79% of students reported gains in their socio-emotional skills — many of which have direct academic outcomes.

About the Opportunity

Mikva Challenge is seeking a part-time contractor to lead and facilitate the Citywide Student Voice Council (SVC) through April 2025. The Citywide Student Voice Council is a partnership with DC Public Schools with the purpose of strengthening and centering youth voice, decision making, and leadership in our local schools and district. Through our Action Civics model, young people engage in deep reflection, community mapping, participatory primary research of their peers, research and root cause analysis, and strategy development to develop youth-led policy recommendations, hold youth forums and/or advocate for youth priorities to key local decision-makers. The council also serves as a mechanism for a broader base of DC youth to have input on key policy decisions that affect them.

Scope of Work

Facilitation and Delivery:

  • Oversee a council of 30 students from 10 DC Public High Schools launching school-based Student Voice Councils and mental health and safety initiatives.
  • Lead and facilitate two (2) weekly in-person youth council sessions (Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00-7:00 pm, December 2024 – April 2025), including:
    • Modify the weekly lesson plan, activities and curriculum as needed.
    • Execute the curriculum plan to guide the Council’s weekly sessions and final projects.
  • Meet weekly with the Managing Director of DC Programs to align on program execution and objectives.
  • Conduct monthly training sessions for Faculty Advisors in preparation for supporting school-based SVC effectively, and provide 1:1 check-ins with Faculty Advisors monthly to address challenges and share best practices.

Relationship Management:

  • Maintain positive relationships with program participants to ensure high engagement and retention.
  • Foster collaborative partnerships with DCPS leaders through biweekly check-incs, monthly meetings with SVC Faculty Advisors, and engage with school staff as needed to support and advance council projects.

Project Management/ Event Planning:

  • Support council students and school faculty with the coordination of logistics for Mental Health Town Halls in 7 DCPS high schools, and the launch of at least 1 Safety action project in 7 DCPS high schools
  • Guide council students in co-leading their school based Student Voice Council and launching initiatives by providing timelines, support on written communication and  session planning, thought partnering with students on recruitment strategies, and administrator meeting coordination
  • Collaborate with DC-based staff to provide at least four (4) monthly exposure opportunities for youth outside of council times, including coordinating with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for a Youth Think Tank,  community events and advocacy opportunities. Provide post-event reports within 1 week of the conclusion of the event detailing outcomes and feedback.
  • In partnership with Citywide Youth Council Managers, identify at least 30 student candidates and 5 potential host sites for the upcoming summer program by the end of March.

Communication/ Evaluation/ Coordination:

  • Facilitate consistent, timely feedback of programming via student surveys and other evaluation tools in collaboration with the Director of Data and Evaluations.
    • Conduct informal evaluations with students weekly to gather session feedback and utilize those insights to refine and adjust future programming
    • Conduct one formal survey with council members
  • Coordinate at least 4 workshops, panels, screenings or speaking engagements with civic leaders, connecting  youth with opportunities to engage with and learn about local government and decision making.
  • Research and stay abreast on the specific institution or topic of the Youth Council’s work
  • Schedule and conduct at least 3 meetings with  youth organizations, youth organizers, or  relevant stakeholders to create collaborative events and projects that expand the impact of the SVC across the city.

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of direct youth facilitation and program management experience required
  • Solid knowledge of the local education landscape in DC schools
  • Experience working in DC public schools
  • Strong organizational and research skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience cultivating and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders with a varied range of perspectives
  • Experienced user of Google Workspaces, Zoom, social media platforms, and Microsoft Office products (Excel and Word)
  • Experience organizing and leading student fields trips
  • Experience in advocacy, public policy and/or organizing

Compensation

This contract position will pay $40-45/hr commensurate with experience. This contract role is not eligible for benefits.

How to Apply 

Please email your resume and cover letter to careers@mikvachallenge.org with “Citywide Youth Council Contractor DC” in the subject line.  Documents should use the following naming convention: First Name_LastName – Document Name.  Please be prepared to provide three professional references upon request.

Equity Statement

Mikva Challenge is an equal opportunity employer and we highly value diversity in our workplace. Mikva Challenge provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.


Applicants from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.