Youth in Government & Teens Services Program & Alumni Development Director

The Youth in Government/Teen Services Program Director supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Youth Government/Teen services branch is looking for a highly energetic individual who loves to travel and has a love for extensive engagement with middle and high school students as well as Youth in Government alumni. This position is based in Columbia SC and is a remote position, with regular office time in the state office in Greenville.  Alongside the Branch Executive Director, the Program Director supports the programs of South Carolina Youth in Government and sets the vision and direction of the Youth in Government to maintain nationally recognized excellence and innovation. The position is responsible for communicating the mission of Youth in Government to recruit new schools, provide support to existing schools, and recruitment and engagement of volunteers and alumni as program volunteers and as donors. The South Carolina YMCA Youth in Government and Teen Services branch develops engaged citizens and servant leaders who are changemakers in their schools, communities, and their own lives. The Youth in Government program teaches leadership, civic engagement, critical thinking, and an understanding of the democratic processes that guide our lives. The Teen Achievers program connects students with community leaders, resources, volunteers, and career opportunities to allow participants to achieve their full potential in their lives.

Not only will you be part of amazing mission driven work, we offer the following benefits:

• 12% Retirement Contribution, once fully vested
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan
• Separate Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Medical Benefits
• Company Paid Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 9 Company Paid Holidays
• Household Membership to the YMCA of Greenville
• 50% Discount on Programs, including Childcare, Sports, and Aquatics.
• 20% Discount on Personal Training

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.

***This position is based in Columbia and requires travel throughout the state.***

Operations & Outreach

• Develops, implements, and manages operating plans to promote program growth for the Youth in Government programs and conferences. Measures progress against strategic goals and ensures continuous improvement.
• Directs alumni communication and Alumni Development.
• Develops strong relationships with statewide organizations based in Columbia to create partnerships and donor relationships.
• Expands and enhances relationships with members of the General Assembly and Statehouse staff to further goodwill and cooperation with Youth in Government programs.
• Administratively supports all programs, conferences, and training including curriculum development, recruitment, and on-site program leadership and supervision.
• Under the supervision of the Branch Executive Director, serves as lead program staff for weeklong service trip YCorps and plans, budgets, recruits, manages logistics, and leads the program/trip.
• Serves as lead program staff for Middle School Model Legislature and Middle School Model UN.
• Serves as a thought partner and visionary with the Executive Director, key volunteers, and board to continually bring creative and innovative ideas to Youth in Government programs and conferences.
• Believes in and supports the importance of strong civic engagement and civic education for young people.

Alumni Development

• Plans events, programs, and activities to foster alumni involvement.
• Recruits new members through personal contacts, events, and presentations.
• Develops and engages alumni volunteers and leadership.
• Serves as a point of contact for alumni who relocate or live in the community.
• Organizes and coordinates alumni events, such as YIG Homecoming at the annual conference.
• Work with donors to provide updates and examples of outcomes of gifts.
• Attends functions and events in the area, when possible, to amplify understanding of YIG.

Administrative Management

• Maintains program database, monitoring registrations, sharing, and communicating with advisors.
• Coordinates program design, implementation, and daily administrative activities. Coordinates service delivery processes of programs and conferences at all events, including Model Legislature and Court conferences (middle and high school), Pawleys Leadership Conference, Leadership Training, Advisor Training, Winter Retreat, YIG Day at the Statehouse, Middle School Model UN, Horizons Values Conference, Conference on National Affairs (CONA), YCorps, National Judicial Competition.
• Logistically supports and organizes conference logistics both prior to and at conferences.
• Works with teens as co-collaborators, allowing their input and ideas to be heard, implemented, and encouraged.
• This position must be able to step in for Executive Director responsibilities as needed.

Other Responsibilities

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with consumers.
• Attend/complete required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising consumers.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Adhere to job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.
• Follow employees' and volunteers' screening requirements and use screening instruments to screen for abuse risk.
• Provide volunteers with ongoing supervision and training related to abuse risk.
• Provide volunteers with regular feedback regarding their boundaries with consumers.
• Require volunteers to adhere to policies and procedures related to abuse risk.
• Respond seriously and confidentially to reports of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Communicate to all employees and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protecting their consumers from abuse.
• Report essential abuse risk management information to the board of directors.

• Bachelor's degree with minimum 2 years’ experience working with teens and volunteers. Equivalent degree and experience will be considered.
• Experience in planning and implementing of events.
• Ability to direct programs through supervision of volunteers and staff, development and monitoring of budgets, marketing, and public relations, program development, and fundraising.
• Organizational, detail-focused, and independent time management skills are necessary for this position.
• Must be available for extensive travel and have reliable transportation. Travel includes in-state school visits as well as national conferences.
• Ability to be away from home for extended periods of time, including up to 10 days in November, and three 7-day periods over the summer.
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations.
• Group facilitation and relationship skills are needed.
• Must be able to schedule work proactively and independently, while also being able to work as part of a team.
• Must be able to sustain a high level of energy over an extended period.
• Ability to change priorities as the project shifts or grows.
• Must be able to assist in moving 35 pounds, have sufficient mobility, and have the ability to maintain a high level of energy over extended and sustained periods of time.
• Proven track record of developing authentic and deepened relationships with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborations with community organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, text, and social media with a variety of audiences, including student participants, teachers, parents, and community members.
• CPR and First Aid certifications may be required.
• Experience planning and implementing events.