Overview
Assistant Director of Adolescent Programs
Reports To: Director of Adolescent Programs
Employment Status: FT FLSA Status Exempt
ABOUT RED HOOK INITIATIVE (RHI)
Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is a community-based nonprofit working to improve the lives of the more than 6,500 residents of Red Hook Houses, Brooklyn’s largest public housing complex. RHI believes that the social change to overcome systemic inequities begins with empowered youth, and that change in communities should come from within. In partnership with community adults, we nurture young people in Red Hook to be inspired, resilient, and healthy, and to envision themselves as co-creators of their lives, community, and society.
Youth development, community building, and community hiring are at the core of RHI’s approach to strengthen Red Hook’s future. Our model gives young people and residents the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to interrupt the systems and barriers that perpetuate historic inequities for the community. Residents lead the way toward a more equitable, hopeful future. Over our 20-year history, RHI’s model and dedicated team have been nationally recognized for its innovative, place-based approach to social change.
RHI creates a culture of excellence with our ten core values as the foundation: community leadership, mutual respect, welcoming space, strengths-based perspective, trust, high expectations, encouragement, inspiration, holistic approach and adaptability.
JOB SUMMARY
RHI is seeking a skilled Assistant Director of Adolescent Programs, reporting to the Director of Adolescent Programs to help manage and guide staff to support middle and high school aged youth (11 to 18 years old) to achieve their goals within the areas of education, employment, and health & wellness and personal development. The Assistant Director will maintain a bird’s eye view of the program’s overall performance, troubleshooting barriers for youth or for staff in achieving program outcomes. Additionally, the Assistant Director will support case management from a strengths-based perspective. The Assistant Director will assume the responsibilities of the Director of Adolescent Programs in the Director’s absence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Development, Implementation + Evaluation
- Co-design program initiatives with Adolescent staff team and Director of Adolescent programs in support of meeting internal and external goals as well as grant and contractual obligations.
- Coordinate and help to develop curriculum and program plans/workscopes for school year DYCD SONYC Middle School and DYCD Explore High School programs and summer Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program.
- Assist with development of annual Program and Evaluation Strategy and manage the high school team’s work plan towards achieving annual goals and desired outcomes; evaluate short-term and intermediate program outcomes.
- Help to build and sustain collaborative relationships with outside organizations to develop and enhance programs and opportunities around peer education, academic success, employment, and enrichment.
- Guide the planning and implementation of social events and special activities in keeping with overall program goals.
- Use emotional intelligence and grace, support case management and behavioral health goals by referring participants to counseling services and participating in case conferencing meetings.
- Support RHI’s Crisis Response Policy
- Ensure programs are implemented in a safe, inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment. Ensure staff and youth follow all RHI, Department of Health, CDC, Department of Youth and Community Development and Department of Education safety procedures and protocols.
- Support Director with quarterly and annual reviews of RHI Youth Manual
Program Management & Staff Supervision
- Oversee intake and implementation of individual participant plans, monitoring progress towards goals and troubleshooting barriers to completion of goals
- Assist Director in monitoring and addressing issues of attendance and attrition; oversee outreach efforts around Youth Leader engagement.
- Coordinate communication between RHI and parents.
- Assist to recruit, hire and onboard new staff members in keeping with the RHI model and contractual obligations
- Manage recruitments, intake and enrollment process of over 100 combined middle and high school youth
- Ensure staff consistently embrace and utilize positive child and youth development practices.
- Provide individual, weekly supervision year-round to: Part-time Academic Advisors (2) and Youth Workers (4) and to Freedom Schools summer program staff: Servant Leader Interns and Jr. Servant Leader Interns (4).
- Assist with planning for and facilitating bi-weekly team meetings and help to create a supportive team environment.
- Help to identify staff training needs that promote professional growth and development.
- Support RHI’s case conferencing model and assist with making referrals for counseling.
- Attend partner and funder meetings as needed.
- Serve as Site Coordinator for summer Freedom Schools program.
Administration & Contract Compliance
- Work with the Director to create and manage systems for effective program operations.
- Coordinate collection of data for impact evaluation and reporting and assist with completing program reports.
- Contribute to grant writing and reporting process as they relate to program development and management
- Support database management: ensure timely entry for all program data in contractual and RHI database systems.
- Ensure timesheet and time clock entries are accurate for payroll.
- Collaborate with Director and RHI senior leadership in developing and managing program budget decisions.
- Work with the Director of Adolescent Programs and RHI senior leadership to ensure compliance with OCFS/Department of Health School Age Child Care (SACC) license requirements.
- Adhere to all contractual and SACC requirements and obligations.
- Attend regular internal and external mandated and skill/knowledge-building trainings.
COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)
- Strong management and supervisory skills; able to lead and manage change; able to lead and motivate intergenerational staff.
- Strong project and task management skills
- Ability to build rapport with RHI youth, ensure connection to appropriate resources, and hold them accountable to RHI’s participant expectations, policies and procedures.
- Commitment to the success and well-being of young people.
- Knowledge of strengths-based case management approaches.
- Enthusiastic about community-based work and youth development.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with external partners and organizations.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing curriculum.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Detail-oriented with proven ability to keep accurate records and documents.
- Strong organizational, planning, and problem solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able and willing to advocate on behalf of the program participants and staff.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree required
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience (youth development, social work, education, etc), including at least three (3) years in a supervisory/managerial position.
- Experience developing and supporting staff to develop curriculum and programs.
- Red Hook resident, preferred.
- English/Spanish, Bilingual preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS (ENVIRONMENT) & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- The RHI work environment is characteristic of a typical indoor office/program environment and the noise level is generally quiet to moderate.
- While performing administrative duties the employee will operate a computer and other office equipment. During this time the employee may sit or stand at will. During youth program hours, there is more movement (e.g. standing and walking, moving tables and chairs to set up the room).
- RHI provides a hybrid work arrangement for employees, when possible. In this role, a hybrid schedule can be arranged when direct services are not in session.
- This job is primarily based on-site at RHI’s main program office in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The ideal candidate will either be a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring communities or will be in reasonable commuting distance to RHI’s main program office.
The ideal candidate should be able to meet the physical demands of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
COMMITMENT TO DEI & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
RHI actively engages individuals from all backgrounds and is committed to embracing diversity across all areas and aspect of the organization. We firmly believe that an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect towards individual differences and embracing an inclusive and equitable environment is indispensable to building a successful organization, contributing to a positive and meaningful employment experience for staff, and advancing the best possible outcomes for the clients served by RHI’s programs. We are also committed to community hiring and supporting the job prospects of Red Hook residents.
As an equal opportunity employer, RHI is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or any other characteristic or basis prohibited by applicable law.
This position is based on-site at RHI’s main program office in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The ideal candidate should be within reasonable commuting distance to our main program office or a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring Brooklyn communities. Proof of full COVID vaccination is required prior to starting employment.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
RHI strives to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our core values and commitment to our employees. The salary for this position is: $65,000 commensurate with an employee’s or candidate’s competencies and experience. Additionally, RHI provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes 12 counseling sessions per year, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health, dependent and commuter expenses, life insurance, 24 PTO days, “Summer Fridays,” when possible and a hybrid work schedule when direct services are not in session.
TO APPLY
Please log on to the RHI career portal at: https://rhicenter.applicantpro.com/jobs/ for further instructions about how to apply for this position. Please be sure to attach your cover letter and resume as one combined pdf.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.