Program Coordinator/Mentor

POSITION: Program Coordinator/Mentor (SEASONAL)

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

This position is part of a seasonal team responsible for the Urban Affairs Coalition's Summer Youth Employment (SYE) program, which provides paid summer job opportunities and support to youth ages 14-18 through the city of Philadelphia’s summer youth employment program. The six-week program runs from late-June through mid-August and includes career exposure, on-the-job mentoring and professional development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Coordinator/Mentor will provide direct support to the Program Manager in all aspects of the program from recruiting and enrolling worksites to supporting the enrollment process for youth.

The Program Coordinator/Mentor will oversee youth participant activities to ensure program worksites/employers are programmatically and contractually compliant with program guidelines. S/he ensure that youth participants are properly supervised and engaged in constructive activities in a positive learning environment. S/he will assist in training and serve as counselors, role models, career advisors, and mentors to youth. S/he will assist the youth program participants with the completion of a contextual-learning project. The Program Coordinator/Mentor will provide administrative support in the collection of youth participant timesheets, distribution of program materials, debit cards, and other tasks associated with the program.

This is a seasonal position beginning April and anticipate ending in August.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

March to June

• Coordinate with Program Manager to conduct outreach, recruitment and enrollment sessions for youth applicants as well as worksites;
• Manage data entry and file maintenance, ensuring all accurate data collection and completion of all appropriate paperwork including background check clearances;
• Coordinate with Program Manager to ensure that all youth and worksites are properly enrolled and meet program requirements, youth are placed at worksites appropriately, and questions and concerns are fully addressed;
• Responsible for the placement of youth participants at worksites, in coordination with other key staff;
• Coordinate with Program Director, Data and Information Manager, Program Manager and other key staff to ensure accurate and timely responses to inquiries from youth, their families, and worksites regarding program details and requirements;
• Perform other related duties as required to ensure program quality and funder compliance.

June to August

• Conduct ongoing site visits (both scheduled and spontaneous) to assess program quality, supervision of youth participants, and adherence to contractual obligations;
• Serve as a resource and mentor for youth, supporting their professional development and adherence to appropriate workplace conduct;
• Collect and submit assigned caseload of youth participants' timesheets for processing by established deadlines, and ensuring they are properly completed;
• Assist with professional development sessions and completion of the contextual learning project;
• Administer and assist with employer and youth participant evaluations, and all other youth-related activities;
• Maintain records and submit all required programmatic documentation and reports.
• Conduct initial and ongoing worksite visits and individual meetings to assess worksite suitability, projected slot requests/service levels, contractual adherence to health, labor, and safety laws and regulations, as needed;
• Serve as a positive and responsible role model for youth participants;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Must be a flexible, communicative, and agile team player, able to coordinate and share resources and data;
• Leadership ability and knowledge of how to effectively mentor youth and young adults 14-21 years old;
• Ability to motivate youth participants to meet their work obligations and complete a high-quality contextual learning project;
• Ability to encourage youth-led project exploration and discussion to ensure the program experience is meaningful;
• Must take proactive steps to advocate for the program appropriately and professionally;
• Must be willing to travel frequently throughout the Philadelphia area as required on a daily basis;
• Strong inquiry and conflict resolution skills;
• Must be able to multi-task to meet programmatic benchmarks and deadlines;
• Good organization skills and detailed-oriented;
• Good verbal and written communication skills; customer-service oriented;
• Must be a self-starter and possess good time management skills.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma/GED required; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred;
• A minimum of 2-4 years’ experience working with youth and young adults ages 14-21;
• Experience mentoring and/or teaching youth and young adults ages 14-21 preferred;
• Experience working in the nonprofit, education, and/or retail/marketing sectors preferred;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Google preferred.