Youth Development Specialist

GARY COMER YOUTH CENTER•Chicago, IL

2d•$20 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) is seeking a dynamic and energetic youth development professional to serve as a Youth Development Specialist. This role involves a significant amount of time dedicated to instructing, planning, and executing programming for young people aged 11-18 across various program areas including Media & Technology, Culinary Arts, Sports & Recreation, Urban Agriculture, College Preparation, Arts, Civic Engagement and Leadership, and Youth Employment. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for youth well-being and a commitment to enriching their lives. Programming primarily occurs in the afternoons and evenings, with flexibility required for school holidays, breaks, and camps, including some special events and weekends.

Requirements

2+ years' experience in after-school programming or youth coaching
2+ years' experience in youth engagement
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with others, including Instructors, parents, and community partners.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills necessary to interact with internal and external customers.
Positive, organized, active, innovative and creative in your approach to working with youth.
Energetic and enthusiastic about youth development theory and practice.
Seen by youth as approachable and a valuable source of advice, even in matters not directly related to the course.
Ability to stimulate, direct and pace instruction to evoke wonder and encourage consistent participation.
Is consistently well prepared, provides clear objectives and makes difficult topics easy to understand.
Is sensitive to youth’s motivation and differentiates instruction according to the various activity and ability levels of youth.
Uses a strengths-based approach to provide consistent and critical feedback to youth.
Uses feedback from youth and coaching from others to assess and improve instruction.
Is goal-oriented, data-driven, and outcomes focused in your work.
Must possess genuine care and concern for youth – especially pre-teens and teens.
Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive and age appropriate.
Strong project management and organizational skills. Must be able to initiate and finish projects.
Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication.
Must enjoy working with teams but can also work independently.
Enjoys being the leader but is also confident enough to take directions from others.
Must be able to take initiative and problem-solve. Must be a creative thinker.
Demonstrates strong accuracy in all areas of work.
Must possess adaptive vitality.
Demonstrates understanding of the positive youth development philosophy.
Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies.
Must demonstrate cultural competency, dedication to working with youth, families and community members in our care.
Must have basic computer literacy skills – including Microsoft Office, independent use of the internet, and ability to learn and properly utilize software systems.

Nice To Haves

Ability to deliver age-appropriate programs and activities that lead to positive youth development outcomes, internal and external competencies and skills.
Ability to develop program plans and curricula that are intentional, research-backed, and measurable.
Self-directed and motivated, able to prioritize goals and tasks, exercise efficient time management.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in assigned area of responsibility.
Ability to supervise youth and influence peers to act.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement programming on a year-round basis to include skill development, career exploration, and engagement.
Develops, implements, and evaluates related quality programming and activities to achieve specific goals and outcome measurement.
Drafts and collects detailed records, program statistics and produces reports with respect to volunteers and participant assessments for related programs.
Writes reports and articles, and produces program marketing materials routinely and as needed.
Maintains supply and equipment inventory.
Responsible for the recruitment and retention of program participants, with a target average daily attendance at or exceeding 80%.
Organizes and conducts neighborhood school outreach and community engagement.
Seeks out and maintains partnerships and opportunities to grow and develop their programming.
Guide and foster department collaborations for specialty programming and curriculum.
Creates lessons and opportunities for programs to hone and teach life skills.
Manages the classroom through positive youth development practices.
Responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment to further ensure proper youth supervision and managing conduct issues and incidents.
Attends required staff meetings and trainings.
Works with other staff to execute effective outreach, recruitment and retention strategies.
Responsible for accurate data collection and data entry for grant and program compliance.
Supports the mission of GCYC.
Works collaboratively in a team setting serving the needs of youth.
Is committed to the safety and development of all GCYC members.
Takes on other duties as needed.
Serves as a role model for youth and community.
Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures.