YMCA is seeking a Youth Employment Program Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations for the newly funded Swim for Success Program. This ambitious program is part of the fast-paced and fast-growing Economic Inclusion and Equity division of the YMCA. It is designed to prepare at-risk youth for careers in the aquatics, public safety or related fields. Using a cohort model at three YMCA community hubs (the South Side Y, McCormick Y, and the Irving Park Y), program participants will learn to swim, be trained as lifeguards, and get job placement assistance. Participants will also receive career exploration opportunities, soft skill and employability skill training, and support in their job search including application completion, resume writing, mock interviews, and building a professional online presence.

Salary: $65,000.00 annually

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Adult YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Key Responsibilities:

1. Understand all Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) requirements for the Swim for Success program and ensure they are met accurately and on time including data entry, vouchering, and other administrative requirements

2. Manage key components of the program including outreach and recruitment, site coordination and scheduling, retention, parental involvement, and budget

3. Identify any barriers to participant success and work with colleagues across the YMCA to provide participants with needed supportive services to overcome those barriers

4. Coordinate with internal and external volunteers and speakers to provide participants with career readiness coaching including career exploration opportunities, soft skill coaching, and job application guidance

5. Develop job opportunities for participants either within YMCA or with outside organizations such as the Park District, private gyms, the hospitality industry, public safety organizations and others to create pathways to employment

6. Remain connected to program participants and continue to provide support to them during their job search and while employed

7. Support other youth employment programs within the Economic Equity Institute as needed including ComEd's Summer Youth Construct Program

Qualifications and attributes:

1. Creative team player who enjoys fast-paced, mission driven, "start-up" environments and who has a track record of building positive relationships within organizations and productive partnerships with outside organizations

2. Demonstrated commitment to helping at-risk youth succeed and an understanding of the kind of supports needed to help them do so

3. Persistent, organized, self-starter who understands the importance of details

4. At least 2 years of experience in youth workforce development programs including serving as a job developer to help clients successfully transition to employment

5. Understanding of program budgets

6. Aquatics and/or public safety experience helpful

7. Access to reliable transportation as frequent travel between sites is required

Deliverables:

1. Ensure that 85% of program participants successfully complete our IYIP program by learning to swim, earning lifeguard certification, and becoming gainfully employed in aquatics or other fields

2. Establish solid and active relationships with a significant number of potential employers to create a pathway to jobs for program participants

3. Ensure that every program participant receives career guidance, soft skill and employability training, and has a professional resume and online presence to support searches for employment

4. Secure needed supportive services to break down barriers to success

5. Ensuring all administrative requirements are accurately fulfilled in a timely way

6. Attend all grant required trainings, workshops, and meetings

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required