Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs
Youth Engagement Specialist jobs are open across nonprofits, school districts, government agencies, and community health organizations, with specializations in program coordination, outreach, and mentorship, at levels from entry-level to senior program manager. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 76+ Youth Engagement Specialist jobs











Overview
Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.
We are currently hiring a Development Director, Youth Engagement. This is a full-time, field-based position that requires extensive travel across Upstate Northern New York. Flexibility in working hours, including early mornings and evenings, is essential to accommodate the needs of schools and events. The position is home-office-based with daily travel to schools located in Upstate New York. The territory includes Watertown, Oswego, Saratoga Springs, and Plattsburgh, NY area.
In this fast-paced fundraising/sales position, you will engage K-12 students with the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge, working with hundreds of schools to promote physical activity and learning. The role also involves extensive data management, continuously updating account information in our customer relationship management (CRM) databases and Microsoft Office products.
Combine your love for fundraising and sales with your passion for kids' health! The American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge is all about equipping kids with ways to keep their hearts and brains healthy and raising funds for the health of all hearts. Meet one of our heart heroes here and learn more!
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.
Responsibilities
This position is directly responsible for meeting an overall fundraising goal of $300K (participant income and corporate sponsorship) through exceptional volunteer recruitment and engagement, customer service, and account management - all while motivating kids to take their health to heart.
- Recruit and engage students through schools and districts in life-saving initiatives including Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs.
- Implement strategies and initiatives to fully engage students through classroom challenges, activities, and student assemblies (in-person and digital experiences).
- Develop and cultivate relationships on an ongoing basis with teachers, principals, and district superintendents.
- Establish and maintain outstanding customer service with volunteers and other collaborators. This includes detailed planning and kick-off meetings to set schools up for success.
- Manage and maintain accurate volunteer and supporter information within our customer relationship management (CRM) system and Microsoft platforms, ensuring data is current and up to date.
- High volume account management that regularly involves working with 5-10 schools each day - in-person where possible or online/by phone.
Qualifications
- 3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience.
- Ability to do daily local travel; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
- University/College degree or equivalent experience.
- Ability to work productively and efficiently from a home office and in the field consistent with the Association's flexible work arrangements policy.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate proactively.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, "we can do this" environment.
- This position demands extensive data management, requiring the continuous updating of account information within our CRM databases; Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to efficiently manage and report on data using CRMs are essential.
- Ability to lift and/or move large objects (such as boxes) with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving.
- Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours, including early mornings and evenings, to effectively engage with schools and manage events.
Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:
- Experience managing and cultivating volunteer relationships.
- Knowledge of corporate and community networks.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range is $61,500 to $85,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply within this range. American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. This position is incentive-eligible based on achieving certain targets.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.
At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.
This position not a match with your skills? Click here to see other opportunities.
In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
LI-Hybrid, #AHAIND3
Join our Talent Community!
Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.
Location: Location: US-NY-Watertown
Posted Date 22 hours ago (11/11/2026 5:07 PM)
Requisition ID 2026-18955
Job Category Field Campaigns
Position Type Full Time
American Heart Association Offers
- Health Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
- Disability & Insurance
- Well onTarget – Wellness Program
- Holidays & Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 76 Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsYouth Engagement Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Covenant House International11

- American Heart Association10

- Sasha Bruce Youthwork8

- Global Kids5

- Lili'uokalani Trust5

Top Industries Hiring
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in youth engagement specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, education, psychology, or a related human services field
- Experience designing or facilitating programs for youth populations aged 12 to 24
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and youth development frameworks
- Youth Mental Health First Aid certification or willingness to obtain it upon hire
- Ability to pass a comprehensive background check including fingerprinting
- Proficiency with case management software and program data tracking tools
Tips for Your Youth Engagement Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to program outcomes
Hiring managers for youth engagement roles want to see the actual impact of your work, not just your duties. Quantify participation rates, program retention, or community reach in every relevant bullet so your results stand out from candidates who only list responsibilities.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists youth engagement specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight certifications relevant to youth work
Credentials like Youth Mental Health First Aid, CPR, or mandated reporter training appear frequently in job requirements. List each certification with its issuing organization and renewal date so screeners can confirm compliance without following up with you.
Target postings by population and setting
Youth engagement roles vary widely depending on whether they serve at-risk youth, foster youth, school-age children, or young adults. Filter your search by those specific populations so your application speaks directly to the employer's program model and client base.
Prepare a scenario-based interview portfolio
Interviewers for youth-facing roles frequently use behavior-based questions about de-escalation, boundary-setting, and trauma-informed practice. Prepare two or three detailed stories from past experience that demonstrate each of those competencies before your first interview.
Negotiate total compensation, not just salary
Many nonprofit and government youth engagement employers offer professional development stipends, loan forgiveness eligibility, or flexible scheduling that private-sector roles do not. Ask about those benefits explicitly during the offer stage so you can compare the full value of competing offers.
Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most youth engagement specialists?
The companies hiring the most youth engagement specialists right now include Covenant House International, American Heart Association, and Sasha Bruce Youthwork, with the largest share of openings in Florida, District of Columbia, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Nonprofits, school districts, and municipal government agencies consistently account for the majority of postings in this field.
How many youth engagement specialist jobs are remote?
About 27% of youth engagement specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, community-based nature of most positions. Roles focused on curriculum development, grant writing, program evaluation, or training coordination are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements compared to direct-service positions.
How do you become a youth engagement specialist?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in social work, education, psychology, or public health, then gain direct experience through internships, AmeriCorps, or volunteer roles with youth-serving organizations. Obtain foundational certifications like Youth Mental Health First Aid, build familiarity with trauma-informed practice, and develop a portfolio of programs you have coordinated or contributed to before applying for full-time positions.
Can you get hired as a youth engagement specialist with little experience?
Yes, many entry-level youth engagement specialist positions accept candidates who have volunteer experience, AmeriCorps service, tutoring, or youth ministry work in place of formal employment history. Emphasize transferable skills like facilitation, conflict resolution, and relationship-building, and highlight any age group you have worked with directly, since demonstrated rapport with young people often matters more than years on a resume.
What does the youth engagement specialist interview process look like?
Most employers conduct a phone screen followed by one or two in-person or video interviews that rely heavily on behavior-based questions about past experience with youth in challenging situations. Some organizations add a practical component, such as facilitating a brief mock workshop or presenting a program plan, to assess your skills directly before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to youth engagement specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to youth engagement specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and preferred setting, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 76 Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs