Program Specialist

Are you a caring leader? Do you believe in serving the community? Do you enjoy helping youth connect the dots of life? If so, then working as a Program Specialist at Youth Guidance might be the job for you! Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and, ultimately, succeed in school and in life.

At Youth Guidance, we believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 today Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 11,000 youth while touching the lives of more than 14,000 youth, parents, teachers, and community members.

We are seeking motivated individuals to join our team. Could this person, be you?

Our Program Specialist is responsible for:

Planning, development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of the BAM-FI Program, an intensive academic and leadership training program to help young men of color complete their high school education prepared to excel in college or other post-secondary experiences. The BAM-FI Program Specialist implements of all program elements, including BAM-FI Fellow recruitment and onboarding, BAM-FI Program activities and training, which includes Civic & Leadership Development and collaborating with the College & Career Manager for programming across BAM-FI.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Participate in the strategy and implementation of the BAM-FI Program in alignment with the established program model and funder expectations
• Participate in the planning and execution of BAM-FI Program training content and coordinate operations of Saturday training sessions, parent workshops, summer engagement, special trips and collaborate on college tours.
• Assist in the coordination of academic support intervention, tutoring, all civic engagement workshops, and community service initiatives
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including programming three Saturdays per month during the school year, weeklong summer intensives, and support workforce development programming, and multiple overnight college exposure tours per year
• May travel to conferences and national team meetings 1-2 times a year

Client/Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Establishes positive and constructive relationships and serve as a positive role model to BAM-FI Fellows
• Serves as primary liaison and communicates with BAM-FI Fellows, parents/guardians, school personnel, community partners, and other stakeholders regarding program goals, activities, and outcomes

Project Management

• Creates and manages program implementation project plans and timelines
• Supports the learning agenda for TFI and partners with the Evaluation and Quality Improvement Department to support systems to monitor Fellowship progress and collect data to document program impact
• Coordinate and execute college and career exposure trips and special events

Our Program Specialist has been equipped for this impactful work with at least a:

• Bachelor’s degree in a public/non-profit administration, business, social work, human services or a related area from an accredited university program; master’s degree preferred

• 2-3 years of experience providing direct service to youth or young adults in a social service organization or educational setting

• 1-2 years’ experience executing complex and multi-faceted programs or projects

• Experience providing career development or postsecondary supports to young adults preferred

Our Program Specialist exemplifies:

• Communication: Able to use effective written and oral communication with internal and external audiences and stakeholders; demonstrates empathy and listening.
• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity; consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace.
• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required; demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn.
• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work ensuring delivery of high-quality work.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Frequent need for travel
• Modified work week and schedule required

*The duties performed are primarily in a school setting, vaccination is required. Occasional need for local travel.*

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Youth Guidance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.