Youth Development Specialist; Volunteer

Youth Development Specialist otherwise known as "Community Liaison" | Reports to Vice President of Mission & Impact

Organization: Ember Rising Foundation

Time Commitment: Flexible; based on program schedule (weekend daytime availability preferred)

Volunteers Needed: 2

Cause Areas: Children & Youth, Community Development, Arts & Music, Animals

Benefits: Volunteer Experience / Leadership Development

Participation Requirements: Background Check

Age Requirement: 25+

About Ember Rising

Ember Rising is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through life skills literacy, holistic wellness, creative expression, and community service. Our work focuses on building confident, capable individuals while strengthening communities through education, wellness, arts, and service.

Position Overview

The Community Liaison supports the coordination and delivery of Ember Rising’s community-based programs by assisting with communication, logistics, participant engagement, and program flow. This role serves as a connective presence between program facilitators, participants, families, and Ember Rising leadership, helping ensure programs operate smoothly and remain responsive to community needs.

This role will work directly with Ember Rising’s Board of Directors to help create and execute lesson plans for Ember Rising’s SEL programs in Spartanburg, SC and Lexington, SC. The Community Liaison will also assist with the oversight and ongoing success of Ember Rising’s core programs:

• NOVA – SEL Programs (youth education workshops focused on identity, regulation/emotional awareness, intention/values & integrity, self-discipline, career alignment, career advancement, and career adaptation)
• Ursa’s Echo – Creative arts expression
• Twila – Animal wellness, animal care, and empathy education
• SPARK – Community action and humanitarian efforts

This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with youth and families, supporting community-based initiatives, and helping programs run smoothly through both structure and compassion.

Key Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable volunteers to perform these functions.

Program Oversight Support (Core Programs)

• Assist with the oversight support and coordination of Ember Rising programs: NOVA, Ursa’s Echo, Twila, and SPARK.
• Help ensure program sessions are organized, welcoming, and aligned with Ember Rising’s mission and standards.
• Support consistent communication between program teams and Ember Rising leadership.
• Collaborate directly with Ember Rising’s Board of Directors to support the development and execution of lesson plans for SEL programming.
• Assist with preparing lesson materials and activities aligned with youth development and SEL outcomes.
• Support program delivery for NOVA workshops, including activities focused on identity, emotional regulation, values & integrity, self-discipline, and career alignment.

Program Coordination & Logistics

• Assist with scheduling, calendars, reminders, and coordination related to program sessions and events.
• Help coordinate logistics such as space readiness, materials preparation, and attendance tracking.
• Support communication between facilitators, participants, and Ember Rising staff as directed.

Program Delivery Assistance

• Provide in-person or virtual support during program sessions, workshops, or events as needed.
• Assist facilitators with setup, participant check-in, and general session flow.
• Help ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for participants.

Participant & Family Engagement

• Support communication with participants and families, including reminders, follow-ups, and resource sharing.
• Serve as a friendly point of contact for general program-related questions, referring concerns to staff when appropriate.
• Help gather informal feedback from participants and families to support program improvement.

Documentation & Reporting Support

• Assist with maintaining basic participation records, sign-in sheets, and session summaries.
• Help compile program notes or updates for staff and committee review.
• Support grant-related documentation by assisting with collection and organization of program data as requested.

Community & Committee…