Youth Opportunity Center Director

The Youth Opportunity Center Director (Director) plays a critical role in the successful outcomes of Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) participants and YSS as a whole. Specific areas of responsibility include operational leadership; administrative, financial, grant, and programmatic oversight; and ensuring that YSS is represented in the community through active networking and stakeholder engagement. In the role, you will direct all YOC programs: Street Outreach, E-beds, and 'YOC Drop-In at YSS'. This position also manages Residential Services, which encompasses client and facility safety, monitoring program compliance with licensing and certification standards, and full-scale supervision of program staff. As Director, you will:  

• Provide comprehensive leadership and oversight of all area supervised.
• Manage all program development, implementation, and monitoring, to encompass needs evaluation, services provided, and outcomes realized. Ensure all programs are adhering to the standards developed by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze data related to all programs and be able to report on it and explain it.
• Provide comprehensive supervision and development of assigned staff, meeting regularly, as a group and individually, to provide supervision, on-going training, information/updates, direction, and evaluation. Act as Hiring Manager as needed.
• Develop social action plans and community development activities as needed.
• Facilitate the IHYC Community Advisory Board and the YOC Quality Improvement Team.
• Assist YSS in public relations and community engagement around youth homelessness.
• Serve as spokesperson for YSS programs during site tours, events, media interviews, volunteer days, etc.
• Lead or assist with leadership in developing and nurturing collaboration between other homeless serving agencies.
• Serve on boards, committees, and workgroups as a representative of YSS, iincluding (but not limited to) the following:
  • Homeward Iowa (formerly Polk County Continuum of Care)
  • HUD Youth Homeless Demonstration Program,
  • Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care (ia BoSCoc)
  • Iowa Finance Authority.
• Provide administrative assistance, as requested, for report generation, form revisions, policy updates, handbook review, etc.
• Facilitate and/or assist with all grant activity related to programs, consisting of grant identification, applications/proposals, compliance, progress, outcomes, and reporting.
• Provide fiscal oversight and/or assistance for annual program budgets, grant financial compliance, licensing requirements, monthly financial reporting, and tracking/reconciling expenditures for a perdonally issued, company credit card .
• Provide resource and financial development plans for cooperation with Financial Development Director and Community Board.

Please note that this description is not intended to be a complete list of the responsibilities required for this position. Duties may change at any time, with or without notice.

YSS offers an opportunity to work with one of Iowa's oldest and largest youth-serving, nonprofit organizations. Our mission is centered around providing hope and opportunity by putting kids first. With locations across the state and tailored centers in each community, we are committed to addressing the unique needs of the youth we serve. Our diverse leadership team brings together a wide range of specialties and expertise, all dedicated to our mission. With a history spanning over four decades, YSS has a strong legacy of making a positive impact in the lives of young people. Join us in creating a brighter future for youth and discover:

• A team of bright, collaborative, dependable, and fun colleagues
• An exciting, welcoming workplace
• A clear, mission-driven purpose to create hope and opportunity by putting kids first
• Opportunities for development
• Programs focused on your personal wellness
• Discounts on pet insurance for your furry family

Full-Time Employee Benefits include...

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Accrued paid time off, plus paid time off for holidays, your birthday, and volunteering
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee recognition program
• Retirement offerings

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, education, or human services field.
• Six (6) years of related experience, two of which must be supervisory.

OR

• An MSW/MA or MS in a human services field
• Three (3) years related experience, one of which is supervisory.

OR

• An MPA/MBA in a human services field.
• Two (2) years related experience, one of which is supervisory.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in grant writing, including at the federal level.
• Experience with fundraising.
• Experience with budget development and management.
• Knowledge of the needs of young people experiencing homelessness and an understanding of and ability to implement intervention strategies to address these needs, i.e. an understanding of child and youth development, group dynamics, and basic counseling.

The IDEAL candidate will also have:

• Direct experience working with youth/families who have experienced housing instability or homelessness.
• Direct supervision experience, including experience with personnel practices – hiring, evaluating, holding accountable, etc.
• Experience supporting and working with individuals of diverse identities, including racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.