Job Description

The Older Youth Program Coordinator works under the supervision of the Youth Program Manager and is responsible for program execution and continuous quality improvement efforts of the older youth contracts in DHS Office of Community Services. The Coordinator will have strong project management skills to support large-scale initiatives among DHS older youth services and be able to integrate knowledge of local and national research on youth programming. The Coordinator will develop strong relationships with providers (Gwen’s Girls, 412 Youth Zone, Learn and Earn, teen OST providers, etc) and other partners (child welfare, juvenile probation, behavioral health, city government, etc) to work toward shared goals of improving older youth outcomes. Candidates to this position should demonstrate a strong ability to cross-collaborate, and they may represent DHS at various youth forums. The Coordinator will conduct annual monitoring to ensure quality and compliance with funding regulations.

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees programs for teens and young adults contracted by Office of Community Services, including 412 Youth Zone, Caring Connections for Youth Diversion program, Learn and Earn, Teen Out-of-School Time programming, specifically:
• Creates clear expectations for programs and logic for how programs benefit young adults.
• Provides targeted support for program directors to set program vision, implement strategies and achieve desired outcomes.
• Monitors program deliverables and outcomes to ensure quality services.
• Ensures program priorities are aligned with broader DHS strategy.
• Works closely with DHS’s contracted partner for the 412 Youth Zone; ensures standards of care, and monitors its deliverables and outcomes.
• Identifies opportunities, supports in writing grants, and reports on both public and private funding streams for older youth initiatives.
• Represents DHS in local, state and national forums pertaining to youth in transition.
• Supports the execution of older youth initiatives, pilots, strategic investments that may involve multiple programs coming together to deliver outcomes, specifically:
• Develop agenda, timelines, and activities to implement programs, policies, and procedures.
• Identify strategic partnerships and support their implementation using logic models, theories of change, and written and verbal communication to internal and external stakeholders to articulate clear implementation steps and translate partnerships into programming.
• Work closely with diverse staff and stakeholders to ensure policies are appropriate, equitable, and aligned with the needs and experiences of families and staff.
• Conduct literature reviews, assessments, and analysis of data and feedback to inform the development of new programs and policies.
• Monitor, coordinate, and contribute to the completion of county, state, and/or federal reporting requirements.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be self-directive and able to operate independently to achieve program objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Knowledge of youth programming, youth development, education, or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written interpretation and communication skills, with high attention to detail.
• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills.
• Flexible, creative, assertive and able to work in a multiple task or multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience collaborating on projects with both internal and external partners is preferred.
• Demonstrated fluidity with the Microsoft Office suite of software (e.g., Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and data tracking software (e.g., Excel) and other relevant computer-based and technological applications.
• Have both available and consistent access to reliable transportation and be able to navigate in the community for work related assignments throughout the County.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.

Qualifications

Five years of experience in progressively responsible positions within the human/social services, youth programming, or education fields; or, any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Why DHS?

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS. It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D