Youth Development Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Education and Youth Development Program Manager leads the High Line Fellows Program, a multi-year, paid youth development, career exploration, and leadership program for New York City high school students. The Fellows Program provides young people with progressive learning and employment experiences rooted in civic engagement and leadership, arts & culture, horticulture & sustainability, and the work of the High Line.

The Fellows Program is structured as a three-year experience designed to deepen learning and responsibility over time-from building foundational knowledge and skills, to applying those skills through hands-on experiences, to developing leadership and preparing Fellows for future academic and career opportunities. The program consists of pathway learning (Jan - June) summer employment opportunities through internal and external residencies and Fellow-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 Education and Youth Development Manager will serve as lead facilitator and curriculum developer for the Civic Engagement and Horticulture learning pathways, designing progressive, engaging, hands-on learning experiences that support Fellows at different stages of the three-year program. The Manager will ensure youth-centered, culturally responsive, and equity-centered programming that supports Fellows' learning, leadership development, career exploration, and individual growth.

They will also support the evaluation and impact of the Fellows Program as well as summer employment opportunities including internal and external residencies and Fellow-led park tours. The Manager will use evaluation, participant feedback, and emerging best practices in youth development and experiential education to continuously strengthen program quality and outcomes.

This position will report to the Director of Education and work closely with the Youth and Career Development Program Manager and Coordinator to ensure a cohesive Fellows experience, while partnering across High Line departments to support interdisciplinary learning and career development. 

The Education and Youth Development Manager is a full-time, year-round exempt position. 

Responsibilities 

Program Administration 

• Support the management and administration of the High Line's Fellows Program, including hiring, payroll, scheduling, attendance and budget management  
• Support the Fellows Program's three-year differentiated model, advancing progressive learning, skill development, and leadership opportunities
• Develop internal and external mentorship and career development opportunities 
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements as related to Fellows and support grant reporting, as needed 
• Develop and maintain systems and evaluation metrics to measure program outcomes, impact, and continuous improvement
• Manage outreach, recruitment, attendance and supervision of Fellows and engagement with Fellows alumni
• Partner across Education to strengthen content connections and curriculum coordination

Youth Development and Departmental Advancement 

• Lead the design, development, and facilitation of the Civic Engagement and Horticulture learning pathways in partnership with High Line Education colleagues and external partners
• Develop culturally sustaining, interdisciplinary curriculum, the three-year Fellows model, progressing from foundational learning to application and leadership  
• Create an inclusive and empowering learning environment that supports Fellows' academic, career, and personal development through skill-building, mentorship, and career exposure
• Support Fellows alumni engagement and expand mentorship, summer residency, and employment opportunities
• Plan and execute the Fellows Program's annual culminating event and other key learning experiences.
• Collaborate with the High Line's Horticulture team and outside Horticulture, public space, and urban ecology experts to incorporate experiential learning opportunities for the High Line Fellows program.
• Collaborate internally on High Line Education and Program team initiatives.
• Collaborate with City Council and  external partners on Participatory Budgeting, People's Money, and other civic engagement initiatives 

Partnerships & Collaboration 

• Establish and cultivate mission-aligned partnerships across community, educational, cultural, green-space, and industry organizations to expand career exploration, mentorship, residency, internship, and professional development opportunities for Fellows and alumni 
• Strengthen connections with the NYC youth development community through Fellows and alumni engagement, conferences, partnerships, and resource sharing
• Partner across High Line departments to connect Fellows with staff expertise, organizational work, and meaningful career pathways.

Requirements

Required Experience

• 4+ years' experience working with high school-aged young people in an education and/or youth development, including experience designing and facilitating engaging learning experiences.
• 3+ years' supervisory experience,including hiring and/or supervising high school-aged staff in accordance with youth labor laws. Experience in facilitating learning sessions for youth exploring the content areas of urban ecology, civic engagement, leadership, financial empowerment, career development, identity, and related topics. 
• Experience facilitating learning sessions with young people utilizing experiential learning practices
• Experience and interest in with horticulture and civic engagement, green spaces, and/or non-traditional education 
• Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive learning environments that promote agency, leadership, belonging, and self-actualization among young people from diverse backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication, organizational, and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and work both independently and collaboratively 
• Proficiency with Google Suite and comfort learning and using technology to support program administration
• Enthusiasm for the High Line's mission and for youth development, civic engagement, arts & culture, and horticulture & sustainability
• Willing to complete required safety screenings and certifications for working with NYC youth

Preferred Experience

• Experience in curriculum development, program design, and/or designing multi-year learning experiences.
• Experience facilitating with culturally sustainable education practices, inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, Social and Emotional Learning, and/or other pedagogical models
• Experience with horticulture, urban ecology, and/or participatory budgeting a plus
• Experience with career-connected learning, workforce development, internships, mentorship, or youth employment programs.
• Degree or certificate in Youth Development, Education, or a related field; program/case management experience is a plus
• Multilingual and/or experience developing youth-focused digital or social media communications.

Abilities

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment and engage Fellows as active partners in their learning and development.
• Comfort working outdoors in varying weather conditions, standing for extended periods, and performing physical work, including lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Creative, collaborative, and adaptable approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

This is a Full-Time, Year Around, Exempt position.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000 annually. This range represents Friends of the High Line's good-faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and internal equity.

This role has an emphasis on in-person work with a requirement to physically report to the office (located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in New York City). Occasional opportunities to work on a hybrid basis may arise if program facilitation needs permit. 

**If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process, please send an email request to hr@thehighline.org ** Resumes sent to this email address will not be given any special consideration.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 20 Vacation days, 7 sick days, and 10 paid holidays with 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date).
• Contribution in a 403(b) retirement plan
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave
• Supplemental short-term disability insurance and paid life insurance
• Winter Fridays
• Growth and Development career opportunities
• Discounted Citi Bike Membership
• Discounts with vendors on the High Line & around the Meatpacking neighborhood
• Free entrance to Whitney Museum

The High Line is both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. We're devoted to reimagining public spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities through our work with communities on and off the High Line.

Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City.

Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations. The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

About the High Line Teen Employment Program

Since 2012, the Teen program has offered New York City youth a paid opportunity - the best first job ever! - to develop essential work and leadership skills. Participants explore four career pathways closely linked to the High Line: Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement, Horticulture, and Park & Visitor Experience. Through workshops and hands-on learning led by experienced professionals, teens gain resources and mentors to help them navigate the transition to adulthood and fulfilling careers.

We focus on serving young people from adjoining communities who would benefit most from the program. Special consideration is given to residents of public housing, students at nearby under-resourced schools, BIPOC youth, and applicants who would be the first in their families to attend college.

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.