What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist - Youth Development position at My Block My Hood My City?
Program Specialist – Youth Development
Full-Time
Chicago, Illinois
Help Spark Teens Curiosity through Exposure Opportunities.
Do you believe teens' access to thriving ecosystems influence their engagement and overall success? We're looking for an experienced, organized, and youth-minded Program Specialist – Youth Development to help lead the successful execution of key programs. If you're passionate about youth, enjoy implementing intentional curriculum, and take pride in strategically monitoring and encouraging youth toward their goals, we'd love to meet you.
About My Block My Hood My City
Our mission is to inspire youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time.
Working alongside residents, block clubs, volunteers, and corporate partners, we create cleaner, safer, and more connected neighborhoods throughout Chicago's South and West Side communities. Every project we complete helps strengthen communities and creates opportunities for the people who call them home.
About This Opportunity
We're seeking someone excited by the opportunity to make an immediate impact while helping shape the future of this role.
What You'll Do
As a Program Specialist – Youth Development, you'll play an important role in helping our Youth Development team successfully deliver exposure opportunities that spark youth curiosity about their success. You'll:
● Coordinate the planning, logistics, and successful execution of youth development programs, projects, and services.
● Help community stakeholders design lessons and presentations for youth that align with MBMHMC’s youth development department intended outcomes.
● Review exposure opportunities with representatives from educational institutions and other stakeholders to enhance program impact.
● Implement and recommend culturally relevant social emotional learning curriculum for youth.
● Implement a goal tracking system that can be shared internally and externally.
● Monitor and support youth progress toward individual goals.
● Communicate with school liaison (i.e., social workers, teachers, counselors) about youth school performance.
● Attend exposure trips with youth, which are called explorations.
● Drive My Block My Hood My City shuttle to support youth transportation to and from explorations.
● Support program reporting, data collection, and continuous improvement efforts.
● Coordinate invoices, expense documentation, and other administrative processes accurately and on time.
● Help identify operational improvements that strengthen efficiency and program delivery.
● Represent the organization professionally with youth, school partners, and community stakeholders.
What We're Looking For
Successful candidates will bring:
● A Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience working with youth.
● Experience facilitating social emotional learning curriculum.
● Experience with evidence-based practices that are relevant to positive-youth development.
● Experience managing extensive caseloads and having a holistic response to youth needs.
● The ability to enhance curriculum to ensure best practices and cultural relevance.
● Excellent communication, organization, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
● Demonstrated ability to encourage youth to achieve personal and professional success.
● Sound judgment and professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
● Experience coordinating experiences that prioritize youth engagement.
● The ability to build positive relationships with youth, school partners, and community stakeholders.
● A valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation.
Experience with Google Workspace, Google Sheets, Expensify, or similar technology platforms is helpful.
Why Join Our Team?
This is an opportunity to join a growing nonprofit organization where your work creates visible, lasting impact in neighborhoods across Chicago.
We offer:
● Meaningful, mission-driven work.
● A collaborative and supportive team culture.
● Opportunities to build relationships with community leaders, residents, volunteers, and corporate partners.
● Variety in your work—office coordination, project planning, and hands-on community engagement.
● The opportunity to help shape a role with the potential to become a regular position.
Compensation
$60,000 - $70,000 annualized salary
Schedule & Work Environment
● Full-time
● Primarily weekdays between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
● Occasional evenings and weekends to support youth development projects.
● Regular travel throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
● Combination of office, warehouse, and outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
The position requires the ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and perform physically active work during community projects and events.
Join Our Team
If you're looking for an opportunity to combine project coordination, community engagement, and hands-on work that makes a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us in helping build stronger neighborhoods, stronger partnerships, and stronger communities—one block at a time.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee, volunteer, and community member is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
Pay: $60,000 - $70,000 (annualized)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60616
Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least four years of professional experience working directly with youth (approximately ages 13–18)?
- Have you implemented Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum or other evidence-based youth development programming?
- Have you managed an ongoing caseload of youth, including monitoring progress toward individual goals?
- Have you worked directly with schools, teachers, counselors, or social workers to support youth success?
- Do you possess a valid driver's license, reliable personal transportation, and are you comfortable driving an organization-owned passenger shuttle after completing any required training?
- Are you willing and able to work occasional evenings and weekends, travel throughout the Chicago area, work outdoors in varying weather conditions, and safely lift up to 50 pounds?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60616
Salary : $60,000 - $70,000