Assistant Director for Youth Programs

Summary: Manage and coordinate RICJ youth programs and supervise staff.

The Assistant Director for Youth Programs is a fulltime position calling for a creative individual with a passion for working with high school students and a deep connection to social justice. We’re in search of someone with energy, a desire to build relationships and networks, and a team member.

Reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for managing and sustaining youth programs (Youth Action Council/YAC afterschool program, Young Women’s Equity Coalition/YWEC mentoring program, Project Respect Youth Leadership Institute camp, youth summer jobs program, other youth initiatives). Supervises a Youth Programs Coordinator, AmeriCorps Youth Empowerment VISTA, student staff, interns and volunteers.

Responsibilities

1-Outreach and Recruitment:

• Work with youth participants, RICJ Youth Programs Coordinator and VISTA in planning outreach to schools, youth serving agencies and other organizations, businesses and donors to inform them about RICJ youth programs and recruit youth participants.
• Build partnerships with schools and other agencies.

2-Program Management and Coordination:

• Lead planning for Project RESPECT, YWEC, YAC, Summer Jobs and other youth initiatives.
• Direct Project RESPECT camp, YWEC mentoring program and other initiatives with assistance from the youth program staff, interns, volunteers and youth leaders.
• Supervise Youth Programs Coordinator as they run the Youth Action Council afterschool program.
• Promote ongoing communication among youth, alumni, parents/guardians and community.
• Ensure tracking of youth participant progress, grants report completion and VISTA reporting.
• Ensure program participant records and payment/cost records are maintained and secured.
• Collaborate with Juvenile Justice program staff, working to build reciprocal relationships between the youth and justice programs of RICJ.

3-Fund Development:

• Assist the Executive Director in securing funding for youth and diversity education programs by speaking with potential donors and DEI clients about RICJ’s youth programs.
• Complete reports and applications for grants and sponsorships awarded to youth programs.
• Work with Executive Director, other Assistant Directors and staff to plan and implement fundraising initiatives.

4-Training:

• Provide training for youth staff, volunteers and interns to support the youth programs.
• Participate on RICJ’s DEI training team, co-facilitating diversity, inclusion, cultural awareness and/or restorative practices trainings on race, power, privilege, and implicit bias for business, school, agency, community and other groups.
• Help RICJ youth learn to create youth-run DEI-related workshops, promoting youth-led trainings, motivating and managing youth teams and creating Youth/Staff training teams.
• Actively market the organization to gain contracts to support RICJ staff and youth co-facilitated DEI and restorative justice trainings.

Other duties as needed to meet the RICJ mission.

Base salary range $47,840 - $52,000 depending on experience. Full time, 40 hours per week. Benefits: medical/dental insurance, vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave.

Qualifications

• Sincere dedication to the mission and philosophy of RICJ.
• 3 or more years’ experience and proven ability implementing similar programs (education for at-risk youth, experiential models of education; diversity training).
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to communicate effectively with and motivate youth of diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising staff in youth work.
• Well-organized, with ability to manage time and coordinate multiple tasks.
• Ability/knowledge of group dynamics, facilitation and leadership development.
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• Willingness and flexibility for evening/weekend/residential program duties as needed.
• Computer proficiency, including use of social media for program promotion.
• Must have own car (or reliable transportation), valid driver's license, auto liability insurance.
• BA or equivalent in a related field preferred.
• Must be cleared for work with minors (BCI will be required).
• Bilingual preferred (fluency in Spanish).

About Rhode Island for Community and Justice: RICJ’s mission is to fight bias, bigotry and racism and promote understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures, through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. In 2024, with five fulltime, three part time and volunteer staff, RICJ works to transform communities to be more inclusive and just by empowering people as leaders making positive change. https://www.ricj.org