Youth Development Program Coordinator

Position Title: Program Coordinator – YD

Department: Youth Development Services (YDS)

Reports to: Program Manager                  

Position Objective and Summary:

The Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and coordination of services for this program. In collaboration with the RYD Program Manager, the Program Coordinator ensures program goals, outcomes, and grant deliverables are achieved in a timely manner. The Program Coordinator will assist in the planning, coordinating and facilitation of civic engagement outings, and provide supervision and guidance to youth participants, and the team.  The Program Coordinator must have the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively internally and externally to partners, stakeholders, and other entities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Monitoring Service Delivery

• Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders as outlined by the Program Manager
• In adherence with the RYD Program requirements, supervises and engage youth.
• Assist in the recruitment of participants, wraparound services, and community resources
• Assist in the planning, coordination and facilitation of Social Emotional Learning, job readiness, and life skills.
• Ensure public awareness via outreach with community organizations, schools, churches and other entities.
• Attend all staff and program meetings as well as plan events to represent programs.
• Promote service offerings within the continuum of Youth Development.
• Able to become proficient with the agency’s data management system.
• Work with Program Manager to complete reports, maintain program compliance, and the planning of program deliverables.
• Basic understanding of the effects of trauma and operate from that perspective when interacting with youth and families.
• Ability to identify unique resources throughout the Chicago area.

Developing and Leading Employees

• Orients and trains new staff according to program and department guidelines to ensure all are ready and able to perform as necessary.
• Assigns work assignments and provides appropriate level of direction.
• Sets and evaluates clear and collaborative individual performance goals for participants.
• Coaches and mentor’s participants around professional interests and career goals recognizing and rewarding performance, initiative and decision-making.

Quality and Accountability

• Uses UCAN AAA processes to ensure quality and accountability in program performance.
• Ensures contract funder performance requirements are met, and reports results as necessary.
• Follows all applicable regulatory standards, including but not limited to: COA standards, Mandated Reporter, and CPS requirements.

Networking and Team Building

• Build strong interpersonal relationships with team and among the team members.
• Participates in regular and productive team and meetings and encourages participation.
• Coordinates services with multiple UCAN programs to ensure appropriate services for participants and programs under the Prevention and Empowerment hub.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients and staff.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Understands and supports UCAN’s standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, and other service providers in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field
• 3 years of experience in youth development programming.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Understand trauma-informed practice.
• Understands Positive Youth Development.
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a highly functioning team.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing.
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance required.

Work Environment: This position requires work off-site and in the community. This position requires evening and weekend work hours.

Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends and evenings.