Youth Program Leader

Chinese American Service League•Chinatown - Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Join CASL as a Youth Program Leader and Make a Difference Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families? Join CASL, where our mission is to support and empower children through safe, engaging, and enriching programs that foster academic growth, social-emotional development, and community connection. Your Mission: As a Youth Program Leader at CASL, you will lead high-quality, developmentally appropriate youth programming that supports the academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being of children and youth. This role ensures that youth programs are safe, engaging, compliant, and responsive to the needs of students and families, while fostering positive relationships, community connection, and opportunities for growth. Through thoughtful program planning, staff supervision, and family partnership, the Youth Program Leader advances CASL’s commitment to empowering youth and strengthening families. About CASL: Founded in 1978, CASL is the largest and most comprehensive community-based organization in the Midwest, with deep roots in serving Asian Americans and a commitment to welcoming all. With over 45 years of experience, CASL supports individuals and families across four essential areas: health, human services, education, and advocacy. From early learning and senior care to legal assistance, housing support, and citizenship services, CASL helps thousands of Chicago-area residents build healthy, stable, and empowered lives. To hear about: CASL's history, watch here CASL's future, watch here Make a Difference, and Get the Support You Deserve

Requirements

At least two years of college in Education, Social Work, Psychology or related field from an accredited college or university.
At least one year of practical experience in youth work or social service or working with children/youth in a classroom setting.
Fluency in spoken and written English, bilingual in English and Chinese preferred.
Basic computer proficiency required, including Microsoft Office, online research, and accurate data entry into internal systems.
Good communication skills with youth and parents.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children or youth in a school, nonprofit, or community setting
Experience supervising or supporting staff, interns, or volunteers
Familiarity with social-emotional learning or trauma-informed approaches
Experience working with diverse families and communities
Bilingual or bicultural experience

Responsibilities

Plans, implements, and evaluates developmentally appropriate classroom activities, which meet the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, language, and health needs of youth children. This includes activity plans, daily schedules, room arrangement, and use of materials/methods.
Identifies the social and recreational needs of the students in the community and recommends appropriate initiatives and actions to meet those needs.
Provides support to youth who need help in developmental, social and psychological aspects.
Completes assessments (SAYO and Spence) that identify social emotional and stress levels of students. Plan activities to address these needs, and/or make referrals to Behavioral Health Unit at CASL if necessary.
Partners with parents regarding students’ special needs, progress, areas of strength and areas where additional support may be needed.
Train, supervise, evaluate and support interns, tutors and volunteers and meet with them on a regular basis to provide guidance.
Enter all client efforts and case notes into internal and external databases.
Comply with all DCFS licensing standards for classrooms.
Obtains data, analyzes and evaluates regularly to meet funding requirements.
Provide data as needed for funding.
Provide workshops and enrichment activities.
Invite outside content area specialists to provide information and activities for youth enrichment and community involvement.
Maintains a space that is clean, safe, and compliant for youth learning.
Maintain and recommends purchases for the program supplies/activities.
Prepares reports and performs record keeping functions required by the agency and assist with report writing as needed
Responsible for own professional development, including participating in the supervisory process and using other educational opportunities, both within and outside of the agency.