Youth Program Director

The Academy Project, a 501c3 nonprofit entity founded in 2016, provides resources, support, and advocacy to foster youth in Los Angeles, CA, through education, community, and empowerment.

The Academy Project Core Values:

Everything is done in the best interest of the child

Foster youth, like all children, have infinite potential and deserve unconditional love, support and guidance

TAP provides the critical intangibles of stability, safety, consistency, and nurturing that are painfully absent from the lives of many foster youth

TAP supports healthy growth and development, providing a safe place to explore and make mistakes without fear of unproductive punishments or abandonment

The Academy Project seeks a dedicated and energetic Program Coordinator to lead the Co-Op, our after-school/out-of-school program aimed at enriching the lives of foster youth through engaging activities, academic support, and positive social interactions. The ideal candidate must be passionate about youth development, able to create a safe and inclusive environment, and possess strong organizational and leadership skills. This position requires creativity in planning and implementing activities that inspire and empower youth.

This part-time position offers the potential to become full-time based on performance, after-school attendance growth, and mutual agreement.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management:

Develop, implement, and oversee an innovative after-school program curriculum along with the daily schedule of activities, including minimal food preparation, academic support, recreational activities, and enrichment programs.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all students during program hours.

Assist in developing and enforcing policies around behavior, safety, and emergency procedures.

Schedule, plan, and attend off-site field trips and events.

Collaborate with schools, teachers, and community organizations to promote the program, build partnerships, and enhance program offerings.

Volunteer Supervision:

Recruit, train, supervise, and schedule after-school volunteers, including guest artists and instructors, ensuring a positive and effective working environment.

Student Engagement:

Foster a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for students.

Build positive relationships with students, understanding their diverse backgrounds and needs.

Address any behavioral or academic issues promptly and effectively.

Maintain open lines of communication with students and their families.

Administrative Duties:

Maintain accurate records of attendance, incidents, and other relevant data.

Oversee administrative tasks related to program operations.

Support the collection of feedback from students, parents, and staff to improve program offerings and track program efficacy continuously.

Keep the program schedule current and communicate any changes with all necessary parties

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Ability to work effectively with children, parents, and staff from diverse backgrounds (required)

Experience supervising groups of children in both indoor and outdoor settings (required)

Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills (required)

Maintain a positive, enthusiastic, kind, caring, and supportive attitude (required)

Must be compassionate and sensitive to each youth’s circumstances and abide by required confidentiality procedures (required)

First Aid and CPR certification (required or willingness to obtain)

A LiveScan (FBI, DOJ) background check (required)

Must have a reliable means of transportation (required)

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Social Work, or related fields (desired)

Previous experience in program management, particularly in an after-school or educational setting (desired)

Experience working with foster youth and/or familiarity with the dependency system (desired)

Working proficiency or bilingual proficiency in Spanish (desired)

Comfortable with the responsibility of opening and/or locking up the facility (desired)

A current California Driver’s License (desired)

Skills and Attributes:

Energetic and enthusiastic with a passion for working with children

Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet

Ability to multitask and manage time effectively

Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity

Open-minded, objective, humble