How to hire a youth teacher

How to hire a youth teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step youth teacher 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 teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new youth teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your youth teacher job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a youth teacher for hire on a part-time basis or as a 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 teacher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, youth teachers 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 teacher salaries for various roles:

   Type of Youth Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Youth Teacher	Kindergarten and elementary school teachers prepare younger students for future schooling by teaching them basic subjects such as math and reading.	$12-25
   Teacher Internship	Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them... Show more	$16-32
   Elementary School Teacher	Elementary school teachers are trained to provide education to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are responsible for children's emotional and educational growth in the classroom... Show more	$17-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Classroom Management
   • Mathematics
   • Public Schools
   • Creative Curriculum
   • Youth Program
   • at-Risk Youth
   • ELA
   • Role Model
   • Ministry
   • Bible Study
   • Youth Ages
   • Leadership
   • Social Development
   • GED

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
   • Study students reading habits and provide assessment of student reading skill level.
   • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
   • Promote student involvement and creativity in classroom lessons and activities.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your youth teacher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A youth teacher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, youth teachers' average salary in oklahoma is 50% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level youth teachers 50% less than senior-level youth teachers.
   • Certifications. A youth teacher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a youth teacher's salary.

   Average youth teacher salary

   $38,581yearly

   $18.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level youth teacher salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a youth teacher job description

   A youth teacher 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 teacher job description:

   Youth teacher job description example

   Mission Statement
   
   The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
   
   Position Summary
   
   Henley Youth Center Teacher assists in the planning, coordination and implementation of assigned recreation activities and program supervision, working directly with clients and other staff on a full-time basis. They may also assume program specific leadership positions as assigned by the Director of Youth Programs.
   
   Essential Functions
   
   General Responsibilities:
   
   Vocational engagement as an employee of The Salvation Army is a position of sacred trust - representing, nurturing, protecting, and advancing the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army; and serving the needs of people in our community with dignity and respect. Conduct on and off the job must sustain a positive impact on The Salvation Army's religious goals, programs and public image.
   
   Specific Duties:
   
   + Be on duty as assigned, maintaining focus on the children at all times.
   
   + Practice "Active Visual Supervision" when on duty.
   
   + Ensure that each child is released only to persons who are "authorized escorts".
   
   + Maintain a healthy & safe environment at all times both inside & outside.
   
   + For break or lunch, ensure a qualified teacher is in place before leaving the classroom or playground to maintain legal ratio.
   
   + Work cooperatively with other staff to build a strong working team.
   
   + Be available to parents as needed & reasonable.
   
   + Maintain confidentiality of family, staff & proprietary information.
   
   + Communicate all supply & educational needs to the Director in a timely manner.
   
   + Maintain a clean, organized, creative, inviting, age-appropriate classroom environment including centers in multiple educational subjects.
   
   + Pleasantly greet children & families upon daily arrival or departure, while maintaining active supervision of children.
   
   + Develop & maintain warm, yet professionally appropriate, relationships with client/student families.
   
   + Continue professional growth through staff in-service, college courses, conferences, & other developmental opportunities; including completing three (3) ECE units or attending 2 all-day workshops every 2 years. Must provide certificate of completion.
   
   + Administer appropriate First Aid as needed, using universal & standard precautions.
   
   + Attend mandatory staff meetings & school special events.
   
   + Follow guidelines set in Staff Procedures Handbook, & policies of CA Title 22, & The Salvation Army Policy for Working with Minors.
   
   + Employees may also be requested to perform other reasonable business-related duties by their supervisors or corps officer.
   
   Working Conditions
   
   Must be able to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Must be able to grasp, push and pull objects such as general office and small recreational equipment. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   + High School diploma or equivalent required, BA/BS in related field preferred.
   
   + Minimum 12 ECE units preferred or comparable college units.
   
   + Must complete/sign a Criminal Record Statement (LIC 508), with certification for Protect the Mission policies and procedures.
   
   + CPR/First Aid/Health and Safety Training qualified.
   
   + Obtain a California Class B Drivers License (preferred).
   
   Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
   
   + Driving Test and clean MVR check (if applicable).
   
   + Bilingual/Bi-literate English/Spanish or Korean preferred.
   
   + Must have ability to work with, direct, and relate well with co-workers, community members, and guests/clients.
   
   + Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
   
   + Able to function in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment.
   
   + Must possess good relationship skills.
   
   + Ability to work flexible hours including some weekends and evenings.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Skills
   
   Required
   
   + CPR/AED: Advanced
   
   Education
   
   Required
   
   + High School or Equivalent or better
   
   Preferred
   
   + Bachelors or better in Education
   
   Licenses & Certifications
   
   Required
   
   + Motor Vehicle Check
   
   + Driver's License
   
   Experience
   
   Preferred
   
   + Minimum 12 ECE units preferred or comparable college units.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right youth teacher 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 teacher job on Zippia to find and recruit youth teacher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit youth teachers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 teacher

   Once you've found the youth teacher candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 youth teacher first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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