Position Title:           Director of Youth Development

Department:             Youth Development

Reports to:               Senior Vice President (Senior Program Administrator)

Position Summary:

The Youth Development Director manages all aspects of youth development services including enrichment services, mentoring, community building, after school and summer programming. Develops and strengthens community partnerships especially with schools and academic institutions to collaborate, provide services and receive youth referrals. Oversees all program Work Plans and budgets for the department and ensures 100% compliance at all times. Manages funding sources, funder relationships, initiates and/or supports program development efforts. Spearheads new programming and program expansion in new communities. The Director leads youth pathways programming and collaborates with other departments to enhance youth experience and program impact agency and citywide. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Identifies and evaluates departmental needs annually.
• Identifies areas of improvement, develops and implements new programs and services to meet service needs.
• Participates in creating and implementing youth pathway annual programs and guiding principles.

Networking/Advocacy/Marketing

• Maintains UCAN relationships and communication with appropriate external constituencies.
• Markets program services to current and potential referral sources in order to maintain and increase funding levels.
• Makes connections with public officials and engages in UCAN Advocacy efforts.

Violence Prevention Services (Hands without Guns)

• Schedules, coordinates, organizes and presents violence prevention workshops for schools, churches and youth service organizations.
• Performs outreach to schools, churches, youth service organizations, and communities to educate and inform on the UCAN programming available.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with schools, sub-contractors, police departments and other stakeholders to ensure consistent delivery of violence prevention education to youth.
• Oversees and evaluates the continued effectiveness and evidence-based practice of the Violence Prevention curriculum used in programming.
• Evaluates the Violence Prevention Program and curriculum on an on-going basis, including pre and post testing, research and surveys.
• Actively participates in CAPS meetings and committees in Police District(s) served by UCAN programs.
• Acts as a resource and gives direction to other UCAN Violence Prevention Programs.

Youth Development

• Manages the recruitment, referral, assessment and orientation of participants to the Young Leadership Development Institute.
• Facilitates Young Leadership Development Institutes on a bi-weekly basis, including the engagement of outside expert speakers.
• Arranges, organizes, and participates in Community Outreach and Community Service Projects for the Young Leadership Development Institute participants.
• Provides workshops for youth in various UCAN programs.
• Guides H2C employees to make plans and provide service based on UCAN Clinical Philosophy, best practice, cultural factors and ethical considerations.
• Reviews and approves Individual Development Plans for H2C clients to ensure their developmental needs are being addressed.
• As part of the YOUTH PATHWAYS Team, assists with Youth Development Events (i.e. Youth Advocacy Awards, Where are they Now, Carnival of Caring, etc) as needed.

Media Relations

• Coordinates annual media events related to the UCAN Teen Gun Survey and UCAN Teen Report Card.
• Coordinates press conferences, speaking engagements, and radio/TV/newspaper interviews for the Young Leadership Development Institute participants.
• Prepares the Young Leadership Development Institute participants for participation in media events.
• Scripts and coaches the UCAN message to be sure it is consistently and clearly delivered at media events.
• Coordinates with local, state and national partners involved in media events (CPS, CPD, CWLA, National Runaway Switchboard, etc)

Program Administration and Planning

• Manages IDCFS contract requirements and acts as liaison for the all Youth Pathway Programs.
• Consults with staff and IDCFS program monitor regarding client needs in the YOUTH PATHWAYS Programs.
• Monitors and reports on the need for and use of Grants for all YOUTH PATHWAYS Programming.
• Effectively plans and manages the annual budgets for H2C and Hands without Guns programs.
• Makes recommendations for programming to meet identified needs, and creates plans for implementation.
• Ensures all case notes and documentation is completed and submitted as required.
• Manages team expenses by following Finance Dept. procedures in approving petty cash, payments, check requests, mileage and expense reimbursements and other unit expenses.
• Manages employee job performance by following HR procedures and documentation requirements for: hiring; job scheduling and assignment; disciplinary actions; recommendations for salaries, raises, promotions, demotions and terminations.

Developing and Leading Employees

·       Orients and trains new employees according to program and department guidelines to ensure all new employees are ready and able to perform as necessary.

• Sets and evaluates clear and collaborative individual performance goals for employees.
• Encourages employee development by supporting training, assigning challenging work, and delegating tasks when appropriate.
• Coaches and mentors employees around employee interests and career goals.
• Delegates appropriate tasks and responsibilities to staff based on individual skill level and work loads.

·       Provides critical feedback to employees around areas of development for increased performance.

• Recognizes and rewards employee performance, initiative and decision-making (rapid rewards, employee of the month, etc.)
• Completes meaningful Annual Performance Reviews for all employees and submits on time.

Quality and Accountability

• Provides regular individual supervision to direct reports to ensure client needs are being met in accordance with best practice standards, and DCFS and UCAN policy.
• Follows all applicable regulatory standards, including but not limited to: COA standards, IDCFS licensing regulations, IDCFS policy and procedure, CPS regulations, and Medicaid procedures.
• Gives input on program evaluation and methods for CQI measures regarding file quality, client outcomes, staff development, supervision, client services and other issues related to program quality.
• Leads team in accountability, quality and compliance through example and modeling behavior.
• Complies with ucan Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives and corrective plans.
• Recommends policy, practice and procedural changes to better serve clients and to comply with regulations.

Team Building and Agency Networking

• Builds strong interpersonal relationships with team and among the team members
• Facilitates regular and productive team meetings and encourages team member participation
• Defines each employee’s role and responsibilities within the team
• Delegates in an effective manner while considering individual skills and workloads
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and is constructive when giving feedback
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things
• Shares specialized knowledge and resources with team and other UCAN departments
• Coordinates services with multiple UCAN programs to ensure appropriate services for clients and teamwork between programs

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
• Understands and supports UCAN’s standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders 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 required; MSW or MS/MA in a Human Service field preferred
• Five (5) years related work experience in youth development
• Five (5) years leadership and Supervisory experience

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Strong presentation skills