Manager Of Youth Support Services

Position Title: Manager of Youth Support Services

Reports To: Director of Enrichment Programming

Status: FTE

Salary: $50,000-55,000

Comer Education Campus’ mission is to prepare young people for college, careers, and futures as well-rounded global citizens. Anchored by the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center, we provide a uniquely comprehensive and holistic approach to fostering growth and achievement as we guide youth on their journey to redefine possible. GCYC is located in the Greater Grand Crossing community and supports over 1,000 historically underserved youth (ages 11 to 24) from 125 different Chicago-area schools annually.

GCYC advances its mission through a uniquely comprehensive integration of academic support, enrichment activities, career exploration, and employment programs. Our efforts address challenges to health and education equity, serving youth aged 11-24 in 5 key program areas (Culinary Arts, Media & Technology, Sports & Recreation, Urban Agriculture, and Visual & Performing Arts) and 3 key service areas (Counseling, Mentoring, and Academic Preparedness).

Position Summary:

The Manager ofSupport Services serves as the organizational leader on all matters related to youth counseling, mentoring, and SEL. Ensuring all members of GCYC receive the behavioral health support, resources, and/or external referrals they may need to capitalize on all the benefits of GCYC membership and improve their lives. Leading a team of Youth counselors, mentoring instructors, and social work interns the Manager ofSupport Services will execute initiatives to engage youth, families, staff, and community to increase awareness of wellness supports/resources and advance the conversation around mental health and wellness in our community.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Coordinate internships for social work students from local postsecondary institutions, including the reporting and management of those internships
• Represents GCYC with external and community partners at meetings, trainings, etc. Including, but not limited to funder events, conferences, and community meetings
• Seek out partnerships and relationships that will create deeper, more relevant, and more impactful experiences for members
• Serves as Leader on Duty for the organization

Management & Supervision

• Responsible for the supervision and leadership of department staff (includes trainings, curriculum design, program evaluation, achievement of goals, adherence to policies and procedures, creating work schedules & time clock approvals and performance evaluations)
• Train, develop, engage, and retain staff members
• Review and evaluate staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals, foster staff engagement and development
• Utilize GCYC tools and standards in completing and administering performance evaluations and individual development plans
• Plan and organize staff meetings to ensure consistent communications, directions and accountability
• Provide oversight for bi-weekly payroll hours for accuracy and approval. Ensure staff members are following timekeeping guidelines
• Intentionally and continuously strives to promote a culture that values and strengthens diversity and inclusion

Social-Emotional Learning, Trauma-Informed & Restorative Practices

• Serves as leadership for the program delivery for youth in areas of mentoring, SEL, and group counseling, ensuring a selection of offerings that are equitable for all members considering all age groups, genders, races, abilities, sexual orientation, and affinities feel welcomed, supported, represented, and have access to all programs and services
• Provide supportive consultation to colleagues and program providers regarding social-emotional or behavioral challenges with youth or families
• Develops GCYC focused behavioral plans for youth members with IEPs, behavioral challenges, or other disclosed special needs
• Lead the SEL working group and advise the Directors of Enrichment Programs and Employment Programs on the integration of SEL supports and framework into programming and operations across GCYC
• Organize, lead and/or facilitate professional development opportunities for GCYC staff and partners focused on SEL and related topics
• Keep abreast of best practices, research, and trends in youth development, SEL, trauma-informed and restorative practices, to contribute to the development of staff and advancement of organizational practices
• Works collaboratively with the Lead Officer of Restorative Practices and Safety & Security Manager, to ensure members with behavioral challenges are addressed appropriately and receive the appropriate care and attention

Data & Grants Management

• Contributes to the grant writing and fundraising process, including seeking out funding prospects for existing and new opportunities, creating logic models, etc.
• Provides oversight and input data into Salesforce related to youth counseling case notes and monthly one-on-one reporting and analysis
• Responsible for agency-level reporting and analysis related to youth counseling and mentoring programs
• Serves as the organizational lead for the C-BATO, and other relevant organizational assessments

Culture & Values

• Embrace/demonstrate the values of the Comer Education Campus:
  • Youth Power
  • Innovation
  • Wellbeing
  • Community Commitment
  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Joy
• Partner with leadership on major organizational initiatives and ensures all initiatives align with GCYC’s mission and workplace culture
• Develop and implement strategies to create and maintain a productive and engaging work environment where employees feel safe, comfortable, engaged, and capable to be successful
• Believes in continual improvement and has high expectations of themselves and their colleagues
• Implement methods to obtain employee feedback (e.g., surveys and interviews) and use this information to improve CEC’s culture and environment
• Develop and implement ways to support employee collaboration, celebration, and team building

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Social Work or related field required
• 3+ years of professional experience providing instruction or social emotional support to youth and families in an urban setting
• Experience with case management

Core Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills. Must be able to initiate and finish projects
• Demonstrated experience developing, documenting and sustaining key HR processes
• Excellent coaching skills to assist executives and managers
• Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication
• Must enjoy working with teams but can also work independently
• Enjoys being the leader but is also confident enough to take directions from others
• Must be able to take initiative and problem solve. Must be a creative thinker
• Demonstrates strong accuracy in all areas of work and possess adaptive vitality
• Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies
• Must have basic computer literacy skills including Microsoft Office, independent use of the internet and ability to learn and properly utilize software systems
• Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures

Physical Work Requirements & Environment:

The GCYC environment is consistently bustling with youth and community members. The Center’s work is fast paced and varied. Our work is done on site where our youth and families are. Therefore, it is required that team members meet the following requirements:

• Have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Able to complete administrative work in a shared office space within a youth center.