POSITION TITLE: Youth Specialist                                   STATUS: Non-Exempt, PT    GRADE: 1      

DEPT:  Early Childhood/Youth Services                              PROGRAM: OST

REPORTS TO: Youth Development Coordinator                SUPERVISES: N/A                                         PAY RATE: $20/hour                                                                                     

SUMMARY: Within school sites, YWCA program locations, and external locations, performs functions to coordinate and implement out-of-school time youth development activities; working with the program team under general direction of a Site Coordinator, plans and implements daily lessons and activities for assigned after school group in the context of YWCA’s afterschool/OST program framework, Teen REACH, Reimagine Youth Development, DFSS Youth Enrichment, ISBE, and CPS.

COLLABORATES WITH:  Collaborations and work relationships exist with school administration, teachers, advisory committee, parents, other youth education services staff members, members of the Youth Education Services staff and Interns and volunteers, members of community-based organization groups and other city and state agencies.

ESSENTIAL responsibilities:

• Responsible for facilitation of School-Age and/or Teen Groups; develop and implement weekly activities plans in accordance with YWCA’s program model; ensure safe and appropriate group environment; ensure that designated space and materials are ready in advance of each day’s scheduled activities; ensure required program component hours are met and activities are planned consistent with agency outcomes; monitor progress of each youth goals.
• Responsible for recruitment, enrollment, and intake of youth, engage in canvassing and other recruitment activities assigned; assist in developing and implementing community relations strategies.
• Responsible for ensuring that recordkeeping and reporting systems are maintained in and up to date and accurate manner, and consistent with agency standards; track and record youth progress consistent with YWCA’s outcomes matrix, ETO Efforts to Outcomes data base procedures, eCornerstone and Cityspan.
• Assist with summer programming
• Maintain program materials
• Assist Site Coordinator with the coordination of program logistics at assigned after school program site
• Willingness to be a contributing member of the Youth Education Services team on other projects as required.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Responsible for facilitating, delivering, and engaging youth in high quality out of school time programs

• Responsible for organizing, and maintaining materials, supplies, equipment and snack for Youth Programs

• Responsible for program recordkeeping in accordance with all grants, contracts and YWCA and DFSS Youth Enrichment, Teen REACH, Reimagine Youth Development, ISBE, IDHS CCAP and CPS standards

• Demonstrate a value for teamwork and competence in public relations through the creation of a positive culture and work environment, a high degree of program quality, and positive and respectful interaction with children, parents, staff, colleagues, and superiors.

• Demonstrate a value for and commitment to professional development through identification of and participation in activities designed to help you achieve program goals

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Participate in administrative and program meetings, as appropriate.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task or other assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience working in OST programs

• Experience teaching in an educational or youth development setting

• Sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of at-risk youth;

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children in the field of youth development.

• Sincere motivation to work collaboratively with an energized, committed, and diverse team;

• Excellent interpersonal, written, oral, and computer skills;

• A minimum of 1 year experience working in an informal educational setting with youth.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:  

High school graduate required (college credits preferred)

Experience working with youth in after school or day camp setting

Associate’s Degree or equivalent in Youth Development or related field, with a minimum of six semester hours in Child Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Recreation, Camping or other related field preferred

CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED: NA

WORK ENVIRONMENT and SPECIAL CONSIDERATION:    The Youth Specialist must have the ability to be flexible in work scheduling.  The Youth Specialist must possess reliable transportation and have the ability to travel within Metropolitan Chicago, Cook or Lake County regions. The work environment includes offices and school sites where youth are present.    The noise level is usually moderate.  Movement requirements include walking, stooping or kneeling.  There may be a need to reach or to lift objects.  While in the office, there may be long periods of sitting.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.  Must also meet requirements of local school district as it relates to background checks, fingerprinting, physical/TB Testing and vaccination.