Director, Work Force Youth Program

About Us

The Cambridge Housing Authority ("CHA"), a leader in developing and maintaining affordable housing communities, is seeking a qualified and highly motivated candidate. By focusing on policy innovation and family economic opportunities, the CHA is committed to developing and managing safe, high quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. CHA provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance to more than 5,500+ individuals and families through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. CHA has been awarded accreditation by the Affordable Housing Accreditation Board (AHAB) and was the seventh affordable housing provider in the nation to receive this prestigious accreditation.

CHA offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Our generous benefits package includes health and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability insurance options, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, retirement pension and deferred compensation 457b plans, and more! CHA employees enjoy flexible work schedules including a hybrid work environment consisting of a combination of on-site and work from home days.

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to direct a comprehensive, eleven-year secondary and post-secondary youth development program located at Cambridge Housing Authority (“CHA”) sites throughout the City of Cambridge. The incumbent will support and supervise a wide range of services including the teaching of life skills classes, directing after-school employment and worksite education in private and public sector settings, fostering academic support and advocacy services for both participants and alumni, and directing coachingand case management services.

All activities must support the Cambridge Housing Authority’s (“CHA” or “Authority”) strategic goals and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals of the Resident Services department.

Qualifications

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

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred in human services administration, social work, education, or a related field; and at least four (4) years of demonstrated experience in the delivery of youth services, including substantial teaching and/or counseling experience in a low income, multicultural community. Must also possess at least two (2) years of supervisory and program management experience. Must have valid Massachusetts driver’s license and be insurable under CHA policies. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, and MS Outlook). Ability to learn other computer software programs may be required by assigned tasks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Administers all aspects of the operation of The Work Force Youth Program, including delivery of workshops, , provision of educational supports and advocacy, job development and worksite education, counseling and case management activities, alumni support, work with parents, and collaboration with schools, employers and numerous other local agencies.
• Provides supervision to program staff and volunteers, including development of appropriate staff development opportunities and training materials; conducts regular site observations for quality control and improvement.
• Monitors key performance indicators, such as workshop attendance, program retention, and post-secondary completion.
• Conducts regular meetings with Resident Services management team regarding program outcomes.
• Assists management team in implementing program enhancements.
• Monitors site and program budget expenditures - to ensure fiscal stability.
• Represents the program in public settings, including but not limited to meetings with funders, employers, school personnel, relevant community organizations and the media.
• Assists management team in developing and disseminating written material regarding the program,
• Performs other related duties as assigned,

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Behavioral Competencies

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Leadership: Provides direction by clearly and effectively setting course of action for department and subordinates; manages performance by providing regular feedback and reinforcement to subordinates.

Job Competencies

• Experience working with a diverse low-income community. -
• Experience with program administration and supervision of staff
• Strong problem solving, task management, , and organizational skills
• Strong skills in counseling and/or teaching
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with public housing management staff, funders, public housing residents, school personnel, employers, the community and staff of other agencies

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. While the work is primarily sedentary, excessive walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as books, binders, files, and documents is required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Work may entail travel to meetings, conferences, and workshops in other cities.

WorkEnvironment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office environment --the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.