Youth Program Operations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Do you enjoy working with youth of all backgrounds, abilities, and needs? Are you a detail-oriented, organized, "systems thinker"? Do you naturally build relationships with those you meet? Are you just as comfortable presenting to a group as digging into a spreadsheet?

YouthBuild Just A Start is seeking a full-time Youth Program Operations Manager (YPOM), reporting to the Director of Youth Program Pathways, to lead recruitment, operations, and data systems activities, and to manage our Front Desk and Operations Associate. You are an equity-centered, resourceful, and entrepreneurial candidate who is passionate about youth development. As an excellent communicator, relationship builder, and an organized project manager, you will be indispensable to facilitating program recruitment and smooth operations. In this position, you will exercise leadership through active participation in manager meetings and by helping build a collaborative and solutions-oriented team culture. Your attention to detail and ability to manage a diverse portfolio of work will also support our efforts to improve and expand program offerings in alignment with Just A Start's Strategic Plan.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Just A Start's mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. Founded in 1994, YouthBuild Just A Start is a comprehensive youth academic and workforce development program that empowers low-income, out-of-school youth (ages 16 - 24) to reclaim their education, build their careers, and become leaders in their communities.

This program is part of the Education and Training department at Just A Start. Just A Start's other programs include affordable housing and comprehensive support services, spanning Cambridge and beyond. Just A Start believes that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities.

WORK REQUIREMENTS:

This is a 37.5 hour per week in-office position.

JOB DETAILS:

• Location: 430 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
• Work Hours: 8:00 - 4:00 PM (Monday - Friday)
• Compensation: $65,000 - $70,000 annual salary plus benefits

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Under the supervision of the Director of Youth Program Pathways, you will promote our program to youth and advocates (e.g. families, teachers, community organization staff, etc.) and support applicants through the interview process. You will also maintain our program inventory, manage exciting new projects like our "Solar Industry Employment Training" , and ensure our program data is accurate and accessible to staff. Staff will look to you as a leader on the team, and you will be empowered to drive initiatives and promote a team culture of collaboration and solutions-oriented thinking.

1. Recruitment & Enrollment

• Support YouthBuild applicants through the recruitment process, including: facilitating informational sessions (in-person and virtual) and coordinating staff to conduct interviews, academic assessments, and new student orientation.
• Become an expert in navigating funder databases, enrolling accepted YouthBuild students, and managing document collection.
• Build and maintain connections with recruitment partners from high schools, community organizations, and child welfare systems (e.g. DCF, juvenile diversion programs, etc.)
• Develop Salesforce campaigns, reports, dashboards, and list views to support recruitment activities (e.g. pull a list of students who applied in the past to see if they are interested in reapplying, track Info Session attendance in campaigns, etc.).
• Contribute to the development of marketing collateral in collaboration with our Communications Manager
• Represent YouthBuild Just A Start at partner events to drive interest and awareness.

1. Program Operations

• Supervise our Front Desk and Operations Associate, including 1:1 weekly check-in's, managing to goals, and facilitating annual performance reviews.
• Collaborate with our Data Systems and Salesforce Manager to ensure program data is accurate and accessible to staff for quarterly funder reporting and decision making.
• Monitor office, classroom, laundry room, shower room, and kitchen inventory, placing and receiving replenishment orders in collaboration with Front Desk & Ops Associate.
• Support YouthBuild's Woodshop operations by scheduling deliveries, coordinating work orders with service technicians, and processing invoices with Accounts Payable.
• Manage YouthBuild's vehicle fleet, including AAA memberships, timely registration and inspection updates, and coordinating transportation for special events and field trips.
• Track student achievements (e.g. HiSET equivalency, OSHA 10, industry-recognized credential attainment, etc.), and purchase and distribute incentive gift cards.
• Manage YouthBuild's Google Calendar and Salesforce attendance records.

1. Strategic Pilots & Special Initiatives

• Serve as lead project manager of workforce development pilots by coordinating staff and partners around deadlines, ensuring curriculum is developed to scope, and data is accessible for program evaluation and funder reporting.
• Coordinate YouthBuild's Construction Apprenticeship program by drafting contracts, coordinating applicant interviews and progress reviews, and tracking outcomes.
• Manage YouthBuild's annual "State House Day" advocacy initiative by scheduling meetings between students and legislators, preparing and communicating the event's agenda to the YouthBuild team, and facilitating meeting follow-up activities.
• Act as lead project manager and recruiter for Just A Start's new "Solar Industry Employment Training" program, including marketing, recruitment, enrollment, outcomes tracking, and partnership coordination.
• Collaborate with YouthBuild's leadership team to develop and implement other program activities that align with Just A Start's strategic planning goals, including: enhancing supportive services, centering students' goals, and strengthening the effectiveness of our workforce development initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS / KEYS TO SUCCESS:

• 5 - 7 years of related experience desired.
• Experience supervising and managing staff.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, student-centered outlook, and reliable work ethic.
• Equity-centered professional with a familiarity of the systemic barriers that opportunity youth may face.
• Entrepreneurial spirit that helps the program equitably meet enrollment goals.
• Interest and some experience in marketing, outreach, project management, public speaking, and data management.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Salesforce (or other CRM) preferred.
• Ability to occasionally work hours outside of Monday through Friday (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM).
• A driver's license is preferred (although not required) for recruitment/operational activities.
• Acceptable CORI/SORI.

TO APPLY / WHAT TO EXPECT:

Please submit a resume in order to be considered for the role. In lieu of a cover letter you will be asked to respond to a prompt question during the application process. Qualified candidates may expect the following interview process:

• Step 1: 30 minute Zoom screening call
• Step 2: 30 minute virtual interview with the Hiring Manager
• Step 3: 90 minute in-person interview with YouthBuild students and Managing Director
• Step 4: Reference checks (3) and verification of prior employment
• Step 5: Background check (via Chekr)

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This is a 37.5 hour per week position with a salary range of $65,000 - $70,000. In addition to a competitive salary, Just A Start offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, transportation benefits, early release at 2:00 PM every Friday, 20 PTO days in the first year, 13 paid holidays, volunteer time off, employee assistance program, and a 401k savings plan with a 3% employer contribution.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

ABOUT JUST A START

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our staff represent a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds coming together in pursuit of common goals. Together, we strive to provide an environment that values diversity and promotes an inclusive culture. Applications from women and candidates of color are strongly encouraged. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.