Summer Conference Facilitator, 9th - 10th grade

BRIDGES is hiring Facilitators for our 9th - 10th grade summer conferences. 

Conference Facilitators are passionate about youth empowerment, excited to share knowledge and skills, and want to grow their professional and leadership development. 

What is Bridge Builders® ? The mission at BRIDGES is to unite and inspire diverse youth to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation. Our summer conference facilitators play an essential role in both developing and inspiring our Bridge Builders® 7th-12th grade youth through the first part of their Bridge Builders® journey - Summer Leadership Conferences! Facilitators are paired up to support collaboration skill development and creating learning spaces that encourage youth to step out of their comfort zone. Bridge Builders® summer conference staff desire to serve a diverse population of adolescent youth and to assist in coaching and developing the strengths and skills of youth participants so that their unique assets are recognized and developed.

To qualify for employment, individuals must be at least 17 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED by the position start date May 27, 2026. Social security number is required to complete I-9. Summer Staff must reside in the Greater Memphis area to submit their federal I-9 documents within the first three (3) days of service.

Location: The main service site location is our Jim Boyd BRIDGES Center. During summer conferences, staff supervise and serve alongside youth throughout their leadership experiences.

Key Benefits and Skills:

• Conference Facilitators are paid a daily stipend rate: $100* Training dates; $120* Conference session dates. *Note: Income taxes will be withheld from daily stipend rates requiring a completed W-4 to be on file. 
  • Summer conference staff are paid bi-weekly; a total of five pay dates. 
  • June 12, 2026 is the first pay date and August 7, 2026 is the final pay date. 
• Trained as experiential educators in the foundations of adventure-based education.
• Strengthen public speaking and collaboration skills while serving on a diverse team of program staff. 
• Participate in research and training in local community issues and youth development.
• Trained and certified in First Aid/CPR and Stewards of Children.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to staff upon review.

Summer Work Schedule:

Onboarding & Training:

May 27  9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Includes one hour lunch break)

May 28  9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Includes one hour lunch break)

Training & Preparation for Conference: Includes one hour lunch break.      

June 1 – 5 9:00 am – 4:00 pm   

June 8 - 12 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 

June 29      10:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Note: All summer conference staff and interns are off June 30 - July 5, 2026.

Conference Sessions:

Dates: June 15 – 19; June 22 – 26; July 6 – 10; July 13 – 17

Required Schedule Times: Monday 7:15 am – 5:00 pm; Tuesday - Friday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm*

Conference Breakdown & Celebration: 

July 20  9:00 am – 4:00 pm 

*On Tuesday & Thursdays and Wednesdays & Fridays of summer conference sessions, facilitators will rotate supervising students at lunch. For example, a facilitator that supervises on Tuesday & Thursday during lunch will not have to supervise students during lunch on Wednesday & Friday. 

When a facilitator is not supervising students during lunch, they are still required to stay on site at the summer conference location. Facilitators can provide their own lunch or eat the one provided by Bridge Builders. Facilitators will record a working lunch during conference sessions as they are required to stay on site and be on call.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONFERENCE FACILITATORS:

1. Work collaboratively to facilitate and/or co-facilitate all activities for assigned group including: discussions/debriefs, team-building and experiential learning activities. 
2. Responsible for daily supervision of assigned conference group to include: 
   1. assisting in providing a safe environment for all conference participants 
   2. being accountable along with staff for conference participants' learning environment and outcomes 
   3. assisting with data evaluation collection 
   4. support conference check-in
3. Write a weekly reflection as assigned by the Training Manager and/or Bridge Builders® Conference Coordinator. 
4. Handle various participant paperwork and prescription medications during conferences following established medication protocols.
5. Ensure, with the guidance of the Bridge Builders® Conference Coordinator, that risk management procedures are implemented and followed during Bridge Builders® Leadership Conferences or other Bridge Builders® activities.
6. Be a positive role model for conference participants by:
   1. exemplifying respect for others and open-mindedness
   2. showing a dedication to community building, youth empowerment, and growing intergenerational relationships
   3. Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times.
7. Record daily hours on a timesheet. 
8. Must be at assigned duties at all times while on schedule and be punctual for team meetings. 
9. Report any problems or concerns to the Bridge Builders® Conference Coordinator. 
10. Perform tasks and duties as assigned by the Training Manager, Bridge Builders® Conference Coordinator or other senior managers. 
11. Maintain professional boundaries with staff and conference participants as outlined in but not limited to the BRIDGES Global Handbook, Youth/Adult Protocol Form and the Sexual Harassment Handout. Violation of boundaries with conference participants or staff will result in immediate discipline up to and including termination from employment. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/STRENGTHS FOR CONFERENCE FACILITATOR:

1. Must be at minimum out of high school with either their high diploma or GED by their first day of employment. 
2. Experience working with adolescent youth, preferred. Experience in the field of experiential/adventure-based education is a plus. 
3. Embraces a spirit to serve; seeks to lead wherever needed to support the Bridge Builders® program and youth participants.
4. Strong time management skills.
5. Effective collaboration skills such as active listening, clear and concise expectations, relationship building, leadership abilities and teamwork.
6. Lifelong learner.
7. Reliable transportation (public or private) required for arriving at service location as scheduled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this service position, the conference facilitators are required to stand, walk, run, sit (in chairs and/or on the ground); use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climbing stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk and hear. Facilitators must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 20 to 25 pounds unassisted, and 75 pounds assisted. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Approximately 90% of the time is spent outside in the summer heat and humidity while engaged in high energy activities. Outdoor activities continue in the rain and are only moved inside if lightning and/or thunder accompany the rain. On at least one if not more occasions, summer conference staff accompany conference participants on a five (5) mile city trek; trek is made in the heat and humidity. The noise level can become quite high when working with and/or around a large group of adolescent youth. Summer conference staff need to be aware of and not be offended by the smell produced by a large group of individuals who have been outside in the heat participating in high-energy activities. 

HOW TO APPLY:  Apply here! Cover letter and resume are required as part of the application process.  For additional information about BRIDGES and our youth programs, please visit www.bridgesusa.org.

In compliance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

BRIDGES strives for a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We encourage qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, and veterans. 

REQUIRED ONBOARDING PROCESS:

Upon accepting an offer to serve,

• Electronically complete and submit required onboarding paperwork.
• Complete required criminal history checks including but not limited to a state and federal fingerprint check, oral drug test (given on start date) and National Sex Offender Public Registry check.

The Bridge Builders® Summer Staff Selection Team will provide onboarding support for all summer staff.