ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

For over 40 years, CASL’s comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow’s workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing our community’s housing and financial well-being, navigating healthcare systems and wellness resources, and providing equal access to justice. Since our founding, CASL has been rooted in the principles of equity and justice. That legacy continues to shape our efforts today as we strive to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all levels of the organization.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Program Leader plans and implements after-school and full day programming for SAC, middle school and high school students. S(he) also supervises and manages youth activities. This position reports to the Youth Program Coordinator.

CORE VALUES

As a champion of our Mission, Vision and Core Values, this role will:

• Be grounded in mutual respect and acceptance, building a culture of Inclusivity;
• Support staff Empowerment through skills attainment, and developmental opportunities;
• Work in partnership to achieve a workplace that embodies Collaboration;
• Envision and realize Transformation of people, processes and policy;
• Model Resiliency to leverage the collective strengths of our dynamic work force.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, implements, and evaluates developmentally appropriate classroom activities, which meet the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, language, and health needs of youth children. This includes activity plans, daily schedules, room arrangement, and use of materials/methods.
• Identified the social and recreational needs of the students in the community, and recommends appropriate initiatives and actions to meet those needs.
• Provides support to youth who need help in developmental, social and psychological aspects. Completes assessments (SAYO and Spence) that identify social emotional and stress levels of students. Plan activities to address these needs, and/or make referrals to Behavioral Health Unit at CASL if necessary.
• Partners with parents regarding students’ special needs, progress, areas of strength and areas where additional support may be needed.
• Train, supervise, evaluate and support interns, tutors and volunteers and meet with them on a regular basis to provide guidance.
• Enter all client efforts and case notes into CASL’s Salesforce database system, COPA, CitySpan, and/or funder databases.
• Comply with all DCFS licensing standards for classrooms.
• Obtains data, analyzes and evaluates regularly to meet funding requirements. Provide data as needed for funding.
• Provide workshops and enrichment activities. Invite outside content area specialists to provide information and activities for youth enrichment and community involvement.
• Maintains a space that is clean, safe, and compliant for youth learning. Maintain and recommends purchases for the program supplies/activities.
• Prepares reports and performs record keeping functions required by the agency and assist in report writing as necessary and as needed by YPC.
• Responsible for own professional development, including participating in the supervisory process and using other educational opportunities, both within and outside of the agency.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:

• At least two year of college in Education, Social Work, Psychology or related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least one year of practical experience in youth work or social service or working with children/youth in a classroom setting.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Fluency in spoken and written English, bilingual in English and Chinese preferred.
• Basic computer skills required, including Microsoft Office, online search, and entering.
• Good communication skills with youth and parents.
• Basic end-user level understanding and experience with Salesforce is a plus.

Physical Demands:

• Mainly work in classroom involving prolonged periods of sitting, walking and standing.

Environment and Scheduling:

• Work is performed during program hours, 10am – 6pm or 10:30am – 6:30pm, depending on age group responsibilities.
• Must be flexible and available to work alternate hours when necessary, i.e., CPS closures. Full day hours – 9am – 5pm.
• Work is performed mainly indoors but occasionally out for field trips or meetings.

CASL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, or any other status protected by State and Federal Law.