How to hire a youth group leader

How to hire a youth group leader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step youth group leader hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a youth group leader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new youth group leader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a youth group leader, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A youth group leader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, youth group leaders from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of youth group leader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Youth Group Leader	Description	Hourly rate
   Youth Group Leader	Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They manage staff who provide social services to the public.	$10-17
   Residential Manager	A residential manager coordinates and oversees all activities that happen in a residential building. They work with their employers to market their apartments and ensure all the occupants qualify to be in the building... Show more	$13-25
   Student Manager	Student managers are executives who assist in coaching staff with practice management and games. They are employed to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the organizations... Show more	$17-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mental Health
   • Role Model
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Group Sessions
   • Bible Study
   • Group Discussions
   • Youth Program
   • PowerPoint
   • Leadership
   • RAN
   • Community Outreach
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Social Justice
   • CPR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a range of activities from science, mathematics, art, physical education, technology and language arts.
   • Prepare a powerpoint or worship handout with lyrics for say nights.
   • Organize and execute monthly community events to promote leadership and humanitarian skills within youths.
   • Mentore students to become strong leaders in the community by participating in community service efforts and leadership opportunities.
   • Coordinate the interdisciplinary care deliver to residents as well as direct responsibility and oversight of all day-to-day operations of the program.
   • Delegate FRG responsibilities to select volunteers in order to promote participation in FRG activities and accomplishment of FRG objectives.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your youth group leader job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A youth group leader salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, youth group leaders' average salary in alaska is 38% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level youth group leaders earn 42% less than senior-level youth group leaders.
   • Certifications. A youth group leader with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a youth group leader's salary.

   Average youth group leader salary

   $13.42hourly

   $27,909 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level youth group leader salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a youth group leader job description

   A youth group leader job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a youth group leader job description:

   Youth group leader job description example

   Title: Youth Programs Group Leader

   Location: Westside Academy, 1945 N 31st Street

   FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

   Earnings: $14.00 - $17.00 per hour based on education and experience

   Group Leaders are vital to the success of COA programs. They work directly with our youth - running activities, teaching life skills, and having fun! It can be a demanding job, but it will always be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. They will learn from you, but you will also learn from them.

   The CLC programs runs Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This is a part-time position - up to 29 hours per week with a possibility for full-time in the summer.

   Main Job Responsibilities

   • Lead activities and groups using creative and innovative curriculum.
   • Support students with virtual learning, e.g., helping youth login, support if there are questions, etc.
   • Actively engage with youth and manage youth behavior through positive reinforcement, redirection, and progressive discipline.
   • Role model appropriate behavior at all times. This includes developing and maintaining appropriate professional relationships with youth, colleagues, parents, facilitators, community members, etc.

   Qualifications

   • Must fulfill the Department of Children and Families (DCF) requirements for this position: these include youth-specific courses, college classes, certifications, etc. (An Education Plan is an option if applicant is willing to take classes. More details can be discussed in the interview.)
   • Strong youth management skills
   • Creativity in program delivery
   • Flexibility to work in different program sites and age groups. Is a team player.
   • Works well independently and under pressure
   • Patience, positive attitude, and cultural competency
   • The physical requirements are the ability to sit and stand for long periods and the ability to move/run, i.e. to physically engage with the youth and actively participate in programming
   • Note: proof of a physical examination must be completed not more than 12 months prior to nor more than 30 days after the person was hired
   • CPR / First Aid certification (or obtained within six months of hire)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right youth group leader for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your youth group leader job on Zippia to find and recruit youth group leader candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with youth group leader candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new youth group leader

   Once you have selected a candidate for the youth group leader position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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