Youth Development Manager

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC)(mattapanfoodandfit.org) grew out of an effort to draw on the wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity of the Mattapan community to promote a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages. Positive changes in these areas complement other efforts to decrease health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other health conditions that plague our community. MFFC is a fiscally sponsored organization of Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org)

Mission Statement: MFFC builds intergenerational leadership within Mattapan’s Black and Brown community to advocate for equitable access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.

Vision: Mattapan is a thriving and healthy community.

Values: Equity & Antiracism, Health + Wellness, Community Ownership + Empowerment, Relationship Building Grounded in Trust, Respect, Youth Power.

MFFC is at a turning point in our organizational growth and our youth are integral to that growth. The Youth Development Manager has an exciting responsibility of building and scaling up our youth program. This means creating and piloting a new format for our youth development focus. In addition, this position is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating programs for our Vigorous Youth amongst other exciting activities! Vigorous Youth are youth in the community ages 14-19 that have an interest in the Mattapan community and want to make a meaningful impact.

The Youth Development Manager will also be responsible for leading our transportation advocacy efforts. This position includes supporting our Transportation Talks programming, attending community and city meetings, staying abreast of discussions and prevailing concerns, and creating innovative ways to engage the community while building their capacity to advocate for the neighborhood change, they want to see. 

Essential Functions

Overall

• Maintain a safe environment for our Vigorous Youth in all spaces
• Be a positive role model and influence while supervising 8-12 youth ages 14-19
• Supervise Youth Coordinator Assistants
• Hire and onboard Vigorous Youth and Youth Coordinator Assistant 
• Conduct pre and post surveys and other evaluation needs to measure impact of program
• Create the academic year and summer curriculum with intentional input from the Vigorous Youth
• Attend monthly MFFC meetings and MFFC Advisory Board Meetings
• Provide meaningful insight into other parts of the organization
• Attend related training, conferences, community meetings, and events to deepen knowledge of Mattapan and youth development
• And other related duties as needed

Budgeting and Reporting

• Prepare and manage the youth program budget
• Keep track of youth hours and prepare invoices
• Apply and submit youth employment applications to youth serving employment programs i.e. Department of Youth Employment and Engagement (DYEE), MLK Scholars, Attorney General’s Office (AGO), etc.
• Work with MFFC staff to complete grant applications and reports related to MFFC’s Youth Development focus

Programs

• Create and/or craft meaningful learning opportunities to deepen the youth’s understanding of their work and how it impacts the community
• Guide and empower youth on the implementation of youth-led projects such as bike workshops, Mattapan on Wheels, Farm Stand, and any new projects they imagine
• Work with the Vigorous Youth to showcase their accomplishments to the community, elected officials, and other Mattapan stakeholders
• Lead data collection and evaluation during youth related activities and support youth in delivering the results
• Support MFFC in organizational wide programs, events, and activities and include youth in the Mattapan Square Farmers Market, Mattapan Moving for Life, Healthy Neighborhood Study, Nature Walk and Tea Party, etc.

Marketing

• Update MFFC Vigorous Youth social media i.e. the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vigorous Youth Facebook page
• Assist with the advertising and recruitment of Vigorous Youth 

Relationship Building

• Build and maintain relationships with existing MFFC partners and other youth serving organizations
• Create professional development and volunteer opportunities for MFFC members and partners to work with Vigorous youth such as college visits, resume writing coaching, workshops, etc.

Transportation Advocacy/Community Engagement

• Represent MFFC at transportation related meetings, councils, coalition, boards, etc. and share MFFC’s position at the city, state, and national level where appropriate
• Support Transportation Talk organizers with conversation series and other events/programming that may be created in future
• Support with grant writing as it relates to transportation
• Lead collection and evaluation of data collected during transportation related activities and programs
• Create innovative resident informed opportunities where residents can be involved in the transportation planning activities that are happening in the City of Boston such as public meetings
• Lead marketing and communications around transportation advocacy and happenings
• Build and maintain relationships with existing MFFC partners and other transportation related partners
• Any other related duties as assigned

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• A bachelor’s or associate degree in a related field and 3 years’ experience working with youth ages 14-19 in urban settings; experience running a youth related program or 4-5 years’ experience working with youth ages 14-19 in urban settings and running youth related programs in urban settings, as well as Project management experience (preferred) 
• Familiarity with the challenges and assets of Mattapan or similar communities that are multilingual and have a passion for making a difference 
• Interest in youth development, food justice, transportation justice, and/or community-based work
• Some understanding of the nature of adolescent development and identity development; demonstrated advocacy for youth aged 12-18 
• Knowledge in the range of food and transportation careers, with a particular focus on STEM
• Experience creating and executing curriculum for youth ages 14-19 that is motivating and empowering
• Ability to form relationships and communicate effectively with parents/adult caregivers and the ability to set appropriate boundaries and relationships with youth 
• Willingness to be a co-learner; demonstrated comfort with ambiguity (recognizes that youth bring talents/skills/knowledge, and they must stretch out of doing what's comfortable; food access and transportation) 
• Ability (to code-switch and) to engage in cultural sustaining and affirming practices to build youth competence and identities 
• Some familiarity with restorative practices; problem-solving and conflict resolution skills; ability to assess and promote healthy social-emotional and self-regulation skills in youth (vs. a disciplinarian style or approach)
• Comfortability speaking and engaging with the community 
• Open to learning more about transportation planning in the City of Boston
• Able to work independently, takes initiative, and puts 100% effort into producing quality work
• Possesses strong organizational skills and able to complete work by deadlines
• Strong and exceptional oral, written, and communication/presentation skills and detailed oriented
• Ability to be a future-forward thinker and to think outside the box
• Bilingual (Haitian Creole and/or Spanish)
• Flexible and able to work Saturdays and evenings
• Proficiency in using PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Constant Contact, social media, Canva, etc.
• Must be able to travel via public transit, car, bike
• Must be able to pass a CORI/SORI background check

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Please note MFFC is an active organization meaning the youth coordinator will be participating in physical activity i.e. biking, gardening, farming, walking, etc.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed Hybrid - Remote (home) & Physical (1613 Blue Hill Ave, Suite 307, Mattapan, MA 02126)

Schedule: Temporary Part-time, 30 hours per week. Weekdays, some weeknights and some weekends. This position is temporary and will end on 9/12/2025.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000/yr. and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

TSNE/MFFC strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/MFFC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/MFFC celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/MFFC's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.