Director of SYEP

YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood•New York, NY

11d

About The Position

The SYEP Program Director is a member of the Y’s Workforce Development team and is responsible for the effective management of the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program. The Director ensures program activities comply with New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) requirements, provides guidance and leadership to SYEP staff, and serves as the liaison among the Y, DYCD, employees and participants, and worksite personnel. The role oversees day-to-day program operations and coordinates resources to serve SYEP stakeholders. The Director collaborates with the Workforce Development Center and staff across External Youth Programs, Afterschool, Camp, Inclusion, Education, Jewish Life, Enrichment, HR, and other departments. The position has responsibilities throughout the year: developing worksites and managing recruitment, enrollment, program delivery, staff, payroll, documentation, compliance, audits, and program closeout; and planning improvements for the next summer cycle. The Director also supports the Y’s broader Workforce Development efforts and participates in management-team activities. This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, with potential weekend work. Some late hours during the year and longer hours during and leading up to the summer may be required. The position requires documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S., as well as successful completion of a background check, medical form, and fingerprinting through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Three years of related experience in youth development or youth workforce development.
Demonstrated program management experience, with successful work in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, including the ability to manage multiple deliverables and follow through in an organized manner.
Ability to make informed decisions, collaborate, lead and develop others, influence, build partnerships, and maintain positive professional relationships.
Flexibility and adaptability in changing or fluid environments and challenging situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate appropriately in varied settings.
Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office applications, social media, and other technology platforms for youth programs.
Documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
Ability to pass a background check, complete a medical form, and undergo fingerprinting through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise and work alongside the Job Developer to ensure a diverse, high-quality supply of summer worksites.
Ensure worksite legal paperwork and participant enrollment, orientation, and program documentation comply with DYCD requirements.
Collaborate with Afterschool Directors on activities and outreach that support recruitment and enrollment and connect with students and families.
Serve as the Y’s year-round contact with DYCD’s SYEP program area and inform Y leadership of relevant updates.
Attend workforce development trainings and job fairs, and promote SYEP at community events and related activities.
Maintain organized digital and physical program records and ensure the Y meets DYCD benchmarks and deadlines.
Coordinate program logistics and use of space with Y directors and staff.
Establish systems for participant and worksite recruitment, the weekly lottery, enrollment, interviewing, training and orientation, job fairs, placement, supervision, and summer administrative processes.
Oversee the program budget with the supervisor and ensure fiscal compliance.
Submit program plans, reports, and applications for DYCD approval and supervise maintenance of the DYCD database.
Work with HR to hire and supervise a Job Developer, administrative staff, and Worksite Monitors.
Onboard and train summer staff and ensure participant recruitment and enrollment meet internal and DYCD benchmarks.
Ensure interview, enrollment, and orientation processes operate efficiently and meet program requirements.
Orient and direct approved worksites before summer programming begins.
Plan and implement job fairs where participants can be interviewed by hiring agencies.
Ensure active participants complete orientation, receive job placements, and remain engaged; apply the de-enrollment policy as needed.
Ensure Worksite Monitors respond promptly to program and participant needs, and communicate urgent situations to the supervisor.
Oversee weekly participant payroll and maintain organized administrative documentation for worksites and participants.
Monitor travel cards, mobile devices, and other program equipment and keep them secured.
Ensure compliance with yearly SYEP audits and the contract closeout packet, and evaluate activities against DYCD SYEP standards.
Complete summer closeout, organize and account for program documentation, and process remaining participant payroll adjustments through the DYCD system.
Prepare a program debrief for DYCD and strategies for the next summer cycle, and develop an implementation plan for that cycle.
Build and strengthen worksite relationships through visits, correspondence, and field work, and develop or strengthen participant referral partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations.
Actively support the Y’s general Workforce Development efforts and collaborate with Y Programs to identify students who may transition to SYEP.
Participate in internal Y meetings, weekly supervision meetings with the Managing Director of the Workforce Development Center, and compulsory DYCD trainings and meetings; contribute as a leader within the Workforce Development team.