CYD Program Specialist

Community Youth Development (CYD) Program Specialist

The Youth Program Specialist supports grant-funded youth development programs by delivering engaging lessons and activities that promote youth participation, leadership, and retention. This role builds relationships with youth and families, manages enrollment and compliance, collaborates with school and community partners, and supports mentoring, outreach, guest speaker coordination, and program documentation to achieve grant objectives and outcomes.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging lesson plans for youth that are aligned with Grant Agreement and Project Work Plan.
• Facilitate and participate in program activities, providing consistent support, guidance, and encouragement to youth.
• Build and maintain relationships with youth/families through ongoing communication, follow-up, and outreach to encourage participation and retention.
• Determine participant eligibility in accordance with grant requirements; establish new participant files as needed or update existing records to ensure compliance with the Grant Agreement.
• Coordinate quarterly guest speaker sessions focused on Youth Leadership development, in collaboration with the Site Coordinator and school personnel to ensure effective planning and communication.
• Partner with the Mentoring Coordinator to identify students who may benefit from the CYD Mentoring Program; engage families, facilitate referrals, and support student participation.
• Represent the program at youth fairs, community events, and outreach activities to promote CYD and support grant deliverables, as needed.
• Attend program, all-staff meetings, and required trainings directed by the CYD Site Coordinator, Grants Management Director, or Executive Director.
• Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety, confidentiality, and quality assurance.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned by the CYD Site Coordinator and the Grants Management Director.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or associate degree in a related field required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to both develop and present educational material to youth in an engaging and impactful way.
• Excellent networking skills with the ability to build long-lasting connections and partnerships that support CYD's purpose.
• Learn and support the YWCA mission, vision, and policies to meet the goals of the organization without compromise.
• Maintains professional appearance and conduct at all times.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours from time to time, including evenings or weekends.
• Frequent local travel required; must possess a valid driver's license.
• Pass a criminal history background check and FBI fingerprint check.
• Knowledge of legal and organizational requirements for serving youth in safe and developmentally appropriate ways.
• Cultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Canva, PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements

• Regularly sit, stand, bend, crouch, walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, feel, talk, hear, and see.
• Work with youth and teens up to eight hours a day.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Occasionally work at outdoor and indoor events for extended periods of time.

Work Environment

• Noise level varies between quiet and moderate.
• Pace varies between deliberate and moderate.
• Outdoor climate varies between cold and hot, including conditions such as wind, dust, and precipitation.