Job Description

Job Location: Chicago , IL 60619
Salary Range: $16.00 - $21.00 Hourly

Position Title:     Youth Development Specialist Dept & Initiative:    Programs General - 1000 Reports to:    Program Director
Status:    Part Time, Hourly

, Permanent)
Schedule: Mid-Day to Evening, varies based on programming needs
Gary Comer Youth Center: Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to provide support for all of our youth to graduate from high school, prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago, with a focus on Grand Crossing residents. GCYC is the oldest and largest institution sitting on the Comer Education Campus, which includes our organizational partners Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team and Gary Comer Middle School. For more information, please visit: www.garycomeryouthcenter.org.
Comer Education Campus: With a comprehensive approach to education and youth development, the Comer Education Campus is devoted to guiding young people to and through college and into adult life. The campus constitutes a unique partnership between Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep, Gary Comer Middle School, and the college success initiative UtmostU. The campus serves over 2,000 youth from across Chicago’s South Side, offering out-of-school time enrichment, academic enhancement, and college success programs. Working with best-in-class partner organizations, the Comer Education Campus empowers young people with the tools they need for post-secondary and life success. For more information, please visit: http://comereducationcampus.org/

Position Summary
GCYC is looking for a dynamic, energetic youth development professional to serve in the essential role of Youth Development Specialist. Specialists will spend the majority of their time engaged in instruction, activities, and planning of programming for young people aged 11-18. With a focus on positive youth development, Specialists will be utilized across all 8 of GCYC’s programming areas: Media & Technology, Culinary Arts, Sports & Recreation, Urban Agriculture, College Preparation, Arts, Civic Engagement and Leadership, and Youth Employment. The ideal candidate will have a genuine interest in our youth and their well-being and be passionate about providing them the opportunity to enrich their lives.  They should have excellent classroom management, be fun and engaging, enjoy the company of middle schoolers, flexible.  An interest in art, sports, and DIY is also key. At present, we are seeking two staff members for a middle school-focused afterschool option called Club 678.  It runs five days a week, with an extended day on Mon-Thu 2:00-6:00, Fridays 1:00-6:00 pm.
The programming run at GCYC happens primarily in the after-school hours: afternoons and evenings, with some special events and weekends. Schedule availability for school holidays, breaks, and camps is a must.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Plan and implement programming year-round that includes skill development, idea exploration, and engagement.
Develops, implements, and evaluates quality-related programs and activities to achieve specific goals and measure outcomes.
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%
Organize and conduct 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

Other duties as assigned
Miscellaneous:
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 the community.
Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Qualifications
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, and exercise efficient time management.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in the assigned area of responsibility.
Ability to supervise youth and influence peers to act.
2+ years of experience in after-school programming or youth coaching
2+ years of experience in youth engagement
Education & Skill Requirements
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with others, including Instructors, parents, and community partners.