Rising Leaders Program Coordinator

Job Title: Rising Leaders Program Coordinator (Contractor)

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Type: Part-time, independent contractor (20 hours/week)

Duration: June 4 through August 14, 2026. High-level performance in this role can lead to a full-time position.

Location: Portland, OR. In-person role.

Compensation: $27/hour

Overview of the Role

The Rising Leaders Program Coordinator is a contract position responsible for supporting and facilitating Word Is Bond's 2026 Rising Leaders summer program. The role will facilitate our flagship program, Rising Leaders, held annually from June through August, with a focus on delivering a structured seven-week curriculum. This position requires business professional attire for all youth leadership meetings and events.

The coordinator will manage a cohort of 10 to 15 young Black men, ages 15–16, from high schools throughout Portland. Youth leaders in Word Is Bond are known as Community Ambassadors. They will also support the planning and facilitation of summer programming, including workshops, enrichment experiences, and community-based events.

The Rising Leaders Program Coordinator will work with youth who are new to Word Is Bond's programming model, helping them build foundational leadership skills while supporting their development as a cohort. The role will emphasize holding youth to high expectations, adherence to the business-casual dress code, and daily attendance.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, relationship-driven, and passionate about the leadership development of young Black men. The Summer Program Coordinator will serve as a mentor, facilitator, and program lead, helping create a safe, structured, and empowering environment for participants.

Strong performance in this role can lead to a full-time role in the fall of 2026.

About Word Is Bond

Word Is Bond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership incubator for young Black men founded in Portland, OR, in 2017. Our mission statement is, "What if young Black men were empowered to their fullest potential?"

www.wordisbond.org

Highlights of Working with Word Is Bond

• Meaningful Work: Build meaningful relationships with inspiring young Black men, while engaging in conversations and experiences connected to important local and national issues.
• Creativity: Contribute to and design impactful youth programs, workshops, and events that reflect youth voice, cultural relevance, and community needs.
• Social: Connect with a strong network of community leaders, partners, mentors, and organizations across Portland and beyond.
• Mobile: A hybrid-friendly work environment. Engage with youth in community-based settings across the city, with opportunities to travel locally, nationally, and internationally through leadership and cultural programming.
• Grow: Be part of a small, mission-driven team building a growing nonprofit, with opportunities to take on leadership, expand your skills, and grow professionally.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Delivery & Facilitation

• Facilitate Word Is Bond's Rising Leaders' structured program curriculum, including workshops, leadership activities, and enrichment experiences
• Deliver a structured curriculum while accommodating different learning styles and engagement levels
• Help youth participants learn and grow in the Word Is Bond leadership model
• Ensure youth meet the daily business casual dress code
• Support attendance through daily check-ins, coordinating transportation and logistics, and checking in with youth families as needed
• Assist in planning and executing program activities such as outdoor leadership experiences and skill-building sessions
• Help plan, coordinate, and lead the end-of-summer program community showcase

Youth Engagement & Mentorship

• Manage and support a cohort of approximately 10–15 young Black men participating in summer programming
• Provide consistent mentorship, guidance, and check-ins with participants
• Support second-year Ambassadors in their internship placements, acting as a liaison between participants and worksites
• Foster a safe and supportive environment through strong relationship-building, clear expectations, and consistent communication

Program Coordination & Operations

• Support recruitment and onboarding of new youth participants
• Coordinate program logistics, including scheduling, communication, materials, and transportation support
• Track attendance, participation, and engagement across all program activities
• Maintain organized records, including participant paperwork and program documentation

Data & Evaluation

• Support the collection of program data and participant feedback
• Assist in developing and facilitating program evaluations
• Contribute to end-of-program reporting and documentation

Qualifications & Experience

• 2 to 3 years of experience working in a youth-serving nonprofit, education, or community-based setting preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of lived and professional experience
• Understanding of Black liberation frameworks and history, youth power building, and/or experience working within racial justice movements is highly desired
• Strong facilitation and group management skills
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Experience with mentorship, youth development, or program coordination is strongly preferred
• Experience in conflict resolution, behavior management, and/or trauma-informed care is strongly preferred
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, community-based environment

Other Requirements

• Maintain a valid driver's license and a strong, safe driving record
• Ability to pass federal and state background checks required for work with minors

Education

Word Is Bond values both formal education and lived experience. Candidates with a range of educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The most important qualification is the ability to effectively mentor, guide, and support young Black men in their development.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through our Workable recruitment platform to be considered.

Word Is Bond is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.