Hello, Teens of Addison County!
My name is Sean Davison, and I am currently the only Youth Coordinator for United Way of Addison County (UWAC). This role is meant to be shared by two employees, and we are looking for another person to fill this position. If you might be interested, keep reading!
UWAC’s mission is to improve the lives of community members by empowering, supporting, and engaging individuals by connecting them in volunteer work, providing access to resources, and much, much more. One of the ways UWAC works to serve Addison County is by giving young people the chance to work alongside the UWAC team. This is an incredible opportunity to represent your peers, help keep projects and initiatives relevant to our age group, and share insights from the perspective of a high school student. With that said, let’s talk about what kind of qualifications a person applying for this role would need. You must:
- Live in Addison County
- Be able to work remotely (a computer can be provided)
- Feel comfortable using Social Media platforms such as Instagram/Facebook
- Be proficient with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Slides, etc)
Be at least 15 years old, or 14 with parental permission - Be interested in learning about public health, substance use prevention, and other similar topics
If this describes you, that’s great! We would love to receive your application; if you’re ready to go, there is information on how to apply at the end of this post. If you’re still feeling unsure about the role, here’s additional information on what it’s like to be a Youth Coordinator.
What Does a Youth Coordinator Do?
Although "bringing a youth perspective to an adult workplace" sounds great, it is a little vague. I’m going to give you a snapshot of some of the work I’ve done in this position, and how it fits the expectations of the job. I have met with Governor Phil Scott at the Bristol Hub, attended our team's PEEPS (Partners Educating and Empowering Prevention for Success) coalition meetings, and helped lead a retreat to interpret data from a statewide survey (you might remember taking it - it’s called the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, or YRBS for short). As a Youth Coordinator, you are expected to act as a youth representative of UWAC, so attending these events is typical.
Another thing I do as a Youth Coordinator is write blog posts like this one! Empowering youth voices are vital to a thriving community, and UWAC works to advocate for our communities youth. The role of the Youth Coordinator includes making sure the younger voices in our community are heard and heeded. Another way Youth Coordinators are expected to help their community is by staying educated on important topics, such as public health, substance prevention work, and effective communication. There are various training opportunities to learn how to better fulfill this role, so we’re not expecting you to come in knowing how to do everything on the first day. Finally, the Youth Coordinator is expected to help create initiatives that engage youth and families, promote protective factors, and reduce the risk factors of dangerous behaviors.
Why Would I Want to Work at UWAC?
As you’ve already read, UWAC focuses on changing communities for the better. This is a chance to be a part of that incredible mission, and make a significant impact. The role is part-time, which means not only can you work here during the summer, but it is easily manageable alongside school. Some schools even give you credit for working during the school year. You will have many opportunities to grow as a person: gaining interpersonal skills (perfect for your PLP!), being exposed to work in an office environment, honing communication skills through public outreach, and the list goes on. By working at UWAC, you can make a difference in your communities, and better those around you by bringing what you learn to every aspect of your life.
How Do I Apply?
Email us with a cover letter (which is just a few paragraphs about why you would like to work here) and resume (it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just some reasons you would do well in the position, maybe listing some experience) and we will get in contact with you! If you’ve made it this far in the post, I’m hoping that means you are planning to apply. Good luck, and we can’t wait to receive your application!
If you have any questions about the position, this job description may help answer them, or feel free to email me, Sean Davison, and I would be happy to answer them.
Sean Davison, Youth Coordinator
