Director of Youth Development

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Director of Youth Development will provide department administration and staff supervision for the Youth Development arm of the support services division; Covenant House NY. The Director will oversee the activities and support the work of the Youth Development department and supervision of programs coordinator(s), senior youth development specialist(s), in-kind donation specialist(s), recreation/drop specialist(s), department volunteers, and administrative support staff assigned to the youth development services department. The director is responsible for overseeing all youth development, pastoral & LGBTQIA initiatives at Covenant House New York (CHNY).

Reporting to the SVP of Support Services, the Director of Youth will work collaboratively with other divisional directors to create and support a seamless continuum of support services. The Director will collaborate closely with staff in other departments to coordinate youth development, interface, and LGBTQIA+ programming as they align with the agency's mission and program priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

Youth Development, Interfaith Pastoral Services, and LGBTQIA Programs

• Ensures high-quality and evidence-based youth development programming that is trauma-informed, builds resilience, improves performance, and enhances motivation for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth, ages 16-24.

• Oversees the development and day-to-day operations of CHNY’s Youth Development and of CHNY’s Youth Development and Interfaith Pastoral Services initiatives, providing opportunities for youth that include:

  • Life-Skills Training and Development

  • Restorative Justice Community Values

  • Health and Wellness through Creative Arts, Sports and Recreation, and Spiritual Care

  • Offsite Trips (in- and out-of-state)

  • Programming designed for LGBTQ youth and allies

  • Events including Resident Council activities, awards for youth, holidays, etc.

  • In-Kind Donations

  • Community Outreach and Drop-in In Services

Interfaith Pastoral Services initiatives, providing opportunities for youth that include:

• Collaborates with other program staff to develop and refine program protocols
• Collaborates with performance measurement and compliance staff to manage goals and metrics for the program. o Leads in the planning, coordination, implementation, and management of the Spiritual Care services and programming for youth who are in residence at CHNY, as well as, leads in planning and facilitating special observances (e.g., Memorial Services, Trans Day of Remembrance).
• Oversees and manages the Youth Ambassador/Youth Intern program
• Leads in the planning, coordination, implementation, and management of programs and services to support LGBTIA youth, including during Pride Month.
• Oversees “Covendales,” CHNY’s clothing room for youth, and coordinates donations and/or purchases in response to youths’ needs, including but not limited to toiletries, grooming products, and anything needed to meet the special needs of youth.
• Oversees Community Outreach and Drop-In Services initiatives, ensuring that services meet the needs of youth served by these programs.
• Collaborates with the Development and Communications team, and with Covenant House International, to plan and manage fundraising and donor events that include CHNY youth.

Administrative/Staff Management and Coaching 

• Hires, supervises, evaluates, develops, and ensures all Youth Development staff, including interns, are properly trained in Child Abuse Prevention, De-escalation, Boundaries, Evidence-based Based Models, and Strength Based/Trauma Informed models of care.
• Works to ensure the team maintains a strong sense of accountability for achieving positive outcomes and is complying with all CHNY policies and other entities' regulations and requirements around child protection.
• Assists in crafting and managing departmental budgets.
• Supports CHI and CHNY development teams' grant writing and fundraising initiatives.
• Serves as a champion of new initiatives that are implemented within the programs.
• Embraces a data-driven culture that is outcomes-oriented and creatively responsive to programmatic challenges. 
• Promotes a healthy, inclusive, equitable culture and a thriving, engaged staff.
• Always uphold CHNY's mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned and needed.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• This position supervises the Professional and Support staff in the Youth Development Department.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree preferred Minimum of 5 years of Youth Development and/or related experience is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience is required. Minimum of 2 years of pastoral ministry service is a plus.

Knowledge/Skills

• At least three years of strong leadership/management experience and an upbeat, energetic demeanor is required.
• Familiarity with varying religious traditions to better serve youth and staff from diverse cultures and beliefs is a plus.
• Strong multi-tasking skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at once required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving abilities required.
• Experience working with diverse groups is required.
• Strong mediation/de-escalation skills required.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• Overall flexibility in work schedule required, including weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to navigate and manage operations/teams housed.

Schedule - 10:00 am  - 6:00 pm

Compensation

Covenant House New York offers a rich package of benefits including but not limited to full medical, vision, dental, life and short and long-term disability insurance and other fringe benefits. Eligibility for medical benefits begins on the date of hire. PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, 10 holidays, 13 sick days, 5 personal days and birthday days off. Benefits include a 403b with employer contribution after 12 months. There are also multiple additional optional benefits (including additional life, disability, accident and cancer insurance) available at significantly reduced rates.

"CH is a vaccinated employer. As such, prospective new hires will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by the date of hire to be considered." 

Covenant House New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer