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Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) - Youth Technology Specialist (Robotics)

Partner Agency: CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio)
Location(s): 797 7th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Name of Site Supervisor and Title: Ricardo Bennett Guzman, Sr. Manager of Youth Empowerment Programs

CTEP Program Description

The AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for new Immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Join AmeriCorps CTEP and help make the information age accessible to all.  CTEP is a project of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN)

Site History and Mission

CLUES was founded in 1981 by Latinos for Latinos who shared a vision for improving the quality of life of the Latino population in Minnesota, as well as a commitment to community building. Our mission is to advance the capacity of Latino individuals and families to be healthy, prosperous, and engaged in their communities. As a multi-faceted, one-stop hub, CLUES works to advance and empower over 20,000 members of the Latino and immigrant communities throughout Minnesota annually through an integrated range of supports and programming that is culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate for our multicultural and multigenerational clientele.

The Teen Tech Center at CLUES offers young people (ages 11 to 25) the opportunity to work on projects they find meaningful to their lives using technology and the arts. In The TTC, youth can design their own music, art, newsletters, robots, science simulations, computer games, animation, and much more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Part-Time Youth Technology Specialist in Robotics is responsible for guiding, coordinating, and
executing initiatives geared towards engaging and empowering young individuals in the field of
robotics. Similar to the role of a Career Pathways Facilitator, this position focuses on fostering youth
leadership, skill-building, and empowerment through hands-on robotics education. The incumbent
will collaborate with other staff members to design and implement programs that equip Latinx youth
with the necessary skills to excel in robotics, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven fields.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and Implement Robotics Programs: Design and execute engaging robotics programs tailored to the needs and interests of Latinx youth, fostering skill development, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Mentorship and Guidance: Provide guidance and mentorship to youth participants, supporting their growth and development in robotics and related fields.
  • Coordinate Teen Tech Center Activities: Collaborate with the Teen Tech Center team to organize workshops, internship programs, and technology initiatives, ensuring alignment with the goals of empowering Latinx youth in technology.
  • Facilitate Robotics Workshops: Lead hands-on robotics workshops, guiding participants through the process of building, programming, and operating robots, fostering a passion for STEM subjects.
  • Networking and Partnership Development: Build networks and partnerships with organizations, educational institutions to provide youth with access to resources, opportunities, and support in robotics and technology.
  • Program Evaluation and Improvement: Assess the effectiveness of robotics programs and initiatives, soliciting feedback from participants and stakeholders to continuously improve program quality and impact.

Youth Mentorship & Support

  • Mentor and prepare youth for potential job opportunities, career exploration, and secondary education pursuit. Motivate youth for personal and professional growth by helping them reflect on their experiences.
  • Oversee and chaperone groups of students in their out of state internship/work experiences as needed.

General Duties

  • Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, agency policies and other applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards.
  • Demonstrate appropriate workplace behaviors and conduct, setting an example for program participants.
  • Maintain open communication with supervisor, department, and organizational leadership and solicit feedback when necessary.
  • Collaborate with other CLUES programs and departments to integrate programs and resources.
  • Understand, support, and promote CLUES’ mission, vision, operating values, goals, and agency services.
  • Participate in assigned training and department activities as required.
  • Engage and carry out other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Management may modify, change or add to the duties
of this description at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience & Key Abilities*

Qualifications:

  • Strong passion for working with youth and empowering them through technology and robotics education.
  • Proficiency in robotics concepts and programming languages (e.g., Arduino, Python, Scratch).
  • Experience facilitating workshops or educational programs, preferably in a youth-focused setting.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision.
  • Bachelors degree in a relevant field (e.g., STEM education, computer science) or equivalent experience.

*Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Language Skills

  • Effective communication in English and Spanish.
  • Ability to maintain accurate documentation and respond appropriately to questions from clients, co-workers, management, and external parties.

Transportation

  • Must have a reliable motor vehicle for independent transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of automotive insurance, and maintain a good driving record. Must submit to and pass annual recertification of compliance with CLUES Automobile and Transportation Policy and driving record check.

Mathematical Skills

  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in common units of measure at a high school graduate level minimum required.

Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Background check

  • Must pass a criminal background check and driving record check. As a condition of continued employment, staff person may be required to submit to periodic re-verification of these background checks.

Physical Demands

  • Generally presents standard office environment. Must be able to use telephone and computer on a regular basis. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Employee is regularly required to drive between multiple locations within metropolitan area.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

  • Standard office environment with moderate noise level.
  • This position requires employee to drive between different sites by motor vehicle.
  • Remote/hybrid work option available.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equipment and Tools Used

  • Motor vehicle, telephone, computer, copy/fax machine, calculator, and other common office equipment.

Tools and equipment listed are some of the typical tools and equipment; other equipment may be used
as needed.

How to Apply

Apply online at my.americorps.gov and click on “Apply to Serve” (be sure to search for the “Community Technology Empowerment Project” or “CTEP” when asked to indicate what program you would like to send your application to).  Contact: Allison Williams, williams@spnn.org or 651.298.8918.

We are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.  Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request.  Alternative formats of this document are also available.