Program Support Specialist (Part-Time Only)

Description

The Organization

Founded in 1971, Y.O.U. is an Evanston-based non-profit that partners with families, schools, and the community to provide academic, social, and emotional support to close the opportunity gap and prepare all youth for post-secondary and life success. Each year, Y.O.U. Provides over 1,600 youth across 9 school sites with free, holistic, out-of-school support, including afterschool and summer learning programs, mental health counseling, and experiential learning through partnerships.

Summary of Role

Y.O.U. is seeking individuals who enjoy working with youth and are passionate about their development and growth.  The  Program Support Specialist will support our afterschool sites as they collaborate with site teams to instruct and mentor youth in the development of academic knowledge and skills, social and emotional learning, and life skills development through our after-school and summer learning programming.

• The Program Support Specialist will support Y.O.U.’s Elementary, Middle, or High-School After School Programs in Evanston, IL.
• This is a part-time hourly position with a $16.50 - 17.50 per hour pay rate based on education and experience. 
• School Year Hours - Up to 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday (1 pm - 6:30 pm) between September and May. 
• Summer Hours - Monday-Friday between 9 am - 5 pm beginning in late May or early June through August 7, 2025, and up to 40 hours per week. (subject to change)
• Paid Training - Scheduled in early September for the school year program and within the first two weeks of June for the summer program between the hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• There will be no relocation costs. Applicants should have a current, valid legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Benefits: Accrue vacation and sick leave benefits.

Primary Support Responsibilities:

• Leads or assists instructional leads in the facilitation of enrichment activities.
• Collaborate with and build positive relationships with school administrators or teachers, caregivers, students, (hosting family nights; participating in caregiver conferences, principal and social worker meetings; attending and participating in community celebrations and student showcases) including but not limited to the support of conversations and discussions with relevant information and data.
• Advocate for youth in programs and make appropriate resource referrals to the Program Manager for families and students. 
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with supervisors and colleagues within Y.O.U.
• Engage in one or more Y.O.U. collaborative efforts including but not limited to coordinating Y.O.U.'s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event, Diverse Communities United (DCU), assisting with 5th-6th grade and/or 8th to 9th grade transition curriculum development, coordinating centralized supply operations, volunteering with Community Partner activities, and/or other special interest projects.
• Assist Y.O.U. program staff and youth in the program
• Tutor youth
• Set-up and break-down classroom space
• Assist and monitor children during breaks, check-in and check-out
• Help youth build healthy positive relationships with each other, with adults, and with their families
• Demonstrate professional behavior that supports team efforts and enhances team behavior, performance, and productivity
• Reports harassment or bullying incident reports to the appropriate persons.
• Other duties as assigned

Cross Site-Team Responsibilities

• Supervises and facilitates enrichment activities with groups of 15 or more students in a safe, developmentally-appropriate, and structured environment.
• Gathers supplies to execute programs including setting up space for readiness and clean-up space at the end of program
• Facilitates and/or implements lesson plans
• Troubleshoots in real-time during afterschool program including but not limited to receiving feedback and relaying information to the Program Manager and follow-up interventions; last minute supplies, space changes, classroom management, classroom behavior, youth conflicts, or youth sickness.
• Submits incident reports to the Program Manager
• Collaborates with the Advancement team regarding Y.O.U.’s annual report.

Youth and Opportunity United is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Youth and Opportunity United welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.

Qualifications and Experience

Salary : $17 - $18