Youth Development Manager

Woodcraft Rangers•Los Angeles, CA

5d•$75,000 - $88,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Woodcraft Rangers is seeking a mission-driven leader with a strong background in youth development, program design, and staff training to serve as a Youth Development Manager. The ideal candidate is passionate about creating equitable, engaging, and culturally responsive learning environments that empower youth through meaningful experiences focused on Life Skills, Leadership & Advocacy, and Sports & Fitness. This role requires a proven track record of developing and managing youth-centered programs, supporting frontline staff, and implementing strategies that promote youth voice, confidence, personal growth, and leadership development. The candidate should also demonstrate success in coaching teams, facilitating professional development, and driving continuous improvement through reflection, data-informed practices, and quality program systems. The Youth Development Manager will translate youth development research and best practices into engaging programming that supports the whole child, excelling at building strong relationships with youth, staff, community partners, and stakeholders while fostering inclusive environments. This individual should be organized, collaborative, and strategic, capable of balancing program development, staff support, curriculum implementation, and cross-site collaboration. They should be confident in facilitating meetings, providing technical assistance, and leading initiatives that strengthen youth programming across multiple sites, thriving in a dynamic environment and adapting to evolving program needs while remaining committed to youth empowerment and leadership development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field required.
Proven experience coaching or training staff, managing program quality, and facilitating professional development.
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in expanded learning, out-of-school-time programs, or youth development, with at least 2 years in a supervisory, training, or program management role.
Experience designing and implementing curriculum and enrichment programming for middle and high school students.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
Demonstrated experience in working with ethnically and culturally diverse communities, along with a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of high-need areas in Los Angeles, including knowledge of the existing educational systems, youth development principles, and related programs.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all employees engaged in in-person work with staff or clients.
Valid LIVE Scan, TB Clearance, and CPR Certification (provided by Woodcraft Rangers).

Responsibilities

Design, adapt, and refine engaging curriculum, activity plans, and enrichment experiences that align with the interests, developmental stages, and needs of older youth.
Support the development of sports & fitness programming that promotes physical wellness, teamwork, leadership, skill development, and positive youth engagement.
Oversee the creation of lesson plans, training materials, and specialty enrichment resources while collaborating with program staff to meet program needs.
Lead and support training sessions for site staff, including new hire onboarding, ongoing in-person and virtual workshops, and content-specific trainings focused on older youth engagement, sports & fitness programming, and effective youth development practices.
Manage a team of curriculum developers and trainers, setting clear goals and expectations, and ensuring staff are adequately trained and equipped to deliver high-quality older youth content.
Plan, host, and facilitate regular Middle School and High School Task Unit meetings to promote collaboration, share promising practices, and align on program implementation strategies.
Conduct site visits to model best practices, provide feedback, and support program alignment with curriculum goals.
Facilitate youth focus groups, surveys, and advisory councils to ensure middle and high school youth inform curriculum and program direction.
Cultivate relationships with external partners, mentors, and community organizations to enhance enrichment opportunities and expand pathways to postsecondary success.
Collaborate with the Associate Director of Learning to set program goals, manage curriculum timelines, and track outcomes aligned with strategic priorities.
Maintain and regularly update the curriculum library, assessment tools, and communication systems related to cycle plans and programming resources.
Assess program effectiveness using feedback and data, guiding strategic enhancements.
Monitor program effectiveness and growth, using data and feedback to strengthen participation, quality, and overall impact.