Youth Development Director

The Kent County YMCA is seeking a qualified youth development professional to join our team as our Youth Development Director! The ideal candidate will have experience with delivery and management of large scale youth programs, including staffing, quality control/improvement, fiscal management, and strategic planning. Familiarity with state licensing requirements and industry quality standards is necessary. The Youth Development Director will be responsible for the direct oversight of 6 licensed before & after school sites, a summer day camp, a 21st Century Community Learning Center and multiple after school enrichment programs. Our youth programs serve over 750 youth annually across 5 different communities. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position is responsible for day-to-day general administration of out-of-school time programs, including summer programs, in accordance with state licensing regulations and industry standards. Including staff supervision, program development and quality control, budgeting, expense control, grant management, income generation, community relations, collaborations, and long-range strategic planning. 

OUR CULTURE: 

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Develop, manage and deliver well rounded year round youth programs that focus on the whole child, including health and well-being, academic support and creative arts and expression. 
• Work with staff to develop a comprehensive training and individual development plan for team members. Hire, train and schedule staff to meet program requirements. 

• Overall responsibility for creation and maintenance of programs to increase member enrollment and generate increased program revenue.  
• Responsible for retention of new and existing program participants.   
• Develop a presence within the community to encourage and establish relationships with key stakeholders, parents and youth. Develop community relationships to encourage interest in youth development and the Y. 
• Collect and maintain data on participants growth, including pre/post tests for enrichment activities, SEL assessments and other data metrics that speak to program quality and fidelity. 
• Provide direction and guidance to program staff, conduct regular staff training, and complete written evaluation of their work performance. 

• Continually promote the values of inclusion, equity and cultural competence among all participants. 
• Create systems and processes when needed, particularly around staff coverage, data collection, recruitment and retention. 
• Operate programs in accordance with RI DHS (Department of Human Services), MA EEC (Early Education & Care) licensing requirements and ACA (American Camp Association) standards, including safety procedures, attendance records, ratios and all required paperwork. Maintain the necessary records required for state licensing and accreditation. 
• Promote a team concept through a positive approach to supervision, communication, and interactions with others. Maintain ongoing communication with supervisor and appropriate staff at all levels of the YMCA. Attend staff meetings as required. 
• Ensure that the proper procedures regarding vehicle use are followed at all times.  

• Participate and volunteer in the YMCA annual fund-raising campaign. Campaigns may include site event fundraisers and Y fundraising events. 
• Act as a professional role model. Maintain good public relations with parents and other community partners and understand that you represent the YMCA and maintain a positive disposition, demeanor and attire. 
• Continually enhance professional development through workshops, educational courses and/or appropriate reading material. Licensing requires the completion of a minimum of 24 hours of training per year relevant to the care of school-age children. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: 

Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y’s work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.  

Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as cultural competence.  

Communication: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience. Understands and expertly utilizes current methods of communication. 

Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems. 

Project Management: Supports goal attainment by prioritizing activities, assigning responsibilities in accordance with capabilities, monitoring progress, and evaluating progress. 

Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.  

Developing Self & Others: Recognizes and acts on the need to continually develop others’ capabilities to attain the highest level of performance possible. 

Change Capacity: Leads self and others through change by navigating ambiguity appropriately and adapting well to new situations, obstacles, and opportunities.  

Quality Results: Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner that provides evidenced-based quality experiences.  

Innovation: Participates in the generation, experimentation, and implementation of new approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s mission and work. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must hold a Bachelor's degree in a field relating to education, child development, human services or recreation from an accredited or approved institution of higher education. 
• Minimum of 3-5 years of leadership/supervisory experience is mandatory. 

• 3-5 years of direct service experience working with either preschool or school aged youth programs is required. 
• Must possess oral, auditory and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both children and adults. 
• Positive role model with strong leadership, conflict resolution and diplomacy skills.  
• Must be capable of directing the daily administrative, program related, and supervisory responsibilities of the Before & After School Program. 
• Certifications required before working with children: Child Abuse Prevention Training, New Employee Orientation, all RI DHS and MA EEC licensing requirements.  

• Certifications required within the first 60 days of hire: YMCA approved basic lifesaving skills such as CPR, First Aid, AED, and Emergency Oxygen, RI DHS Pre-service Health & Safety Training. This position must have the ability to respond to safety and emergency situations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work is performed in a fast-paced school environment. Position requires attending meetings at different off-site locations.  

• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities. 

• Visual acuity is required for reading computer screens and/or documents and making changes as necessary/required.  

• This job requires high levels of alertness and concentration. This position requires analytical abilities and multitasking in order to identify problems and recommend solutions.  

• This job requires accuracy and attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills, while maintaining high levels of initiative in order to work within deadlines. 

• Occasional stooping and bending with regular lifting of up to 20 pounds is required.   

• The incumbent must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time, and the ability to manipulate keyboards, telephone keypads, and writing utensils is essential.