Senior Director of Youth Development

An exciting opportunity to join the Somerset Hills team of a progressive YMCA association located in NJ is currently available at GSCY.
Job Description

Somerset Hills YMCA, a branch of Greater Somerset County YMCA (GSCY), is a robust and modern facility that comes alive with programming for people of all ages. At the core of this is our commitment to youth development in which the Y is committed to providing a variety of programs that build the leaders of tomorrow. Somerset Hills YMCA is seeking a Senior Director of Youth Development to provide direction and oversight to all youth programming including School Age Child Care (SACC), Summer Camp, Early Education (Infants-PreK), Special Needs Programming, Enrichment in Arts & STEM, and Sports.

Under the direction of the Associate Executive Director, the Senior Director of Youth Development is a strategic leader tasked with the unification, expansion, and improvement of all Youth Development programs at the Y.  As a primary imperative, this role is a liaison between the Y and local school districts, boards of education, superintendents, principals, and other school personnel for the purpose of expanding before/after school contracts through RFPs to new districts and maintaining existing relationships. They direct all activities associated with our School Age Child Care program to include the administration of these programs, as well as the supervision of the Director of Early Childhood Education, Program Director, and Associate Director to ensure that all programs create opportunities for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Senior Director of Youth Development will ensure that the Somerset Hills YMCA’s programs establish and maintain a level of excellence in areas of quality, creativity and visibility in all areas, and support the goals and priorities of the Somersest Hills YMCA. The programs will work to benefit participants, and will provide a positive image of the YMCA within the community, in accordance with the mission and philosophy of the Somerset Hills YMCA.

Qualifications
  • Five plus years’ experience directing youth programming with a focus on School Age Child Care, Summer Camp, and/or Early Childhood Education.
  • Experience building relationships with the public school system.
  • Superior leadership, supervisory and interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with staff and interact with membership.
  • Must have flexibility to work evenings and some weekends based upon program needs.
  • Excellent organizational, member engagement, staff development, administrative and communication skills
  • Has solid working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel as well as superior administrative skills.
Essential Functions

School Age Child Care (SACC) [Before/After School Care]

  • Evaluate existing school relationships and actively seek to expand the Y’s footprint in existing and new communities through SACC RFP’s.
  • Guide the SACC Coordinator as they hire, mentor, and develop all SACC counselors and maintain day-to-day SACC operations with prescribed goals and outcomes.
  • Attend regular Board of Education meetings for the purpose of maintaining a relationship and being aware of local opportunities for engagement of schools.
  • Complete registrations for participants and enroll in monthly draft schedule. Manage outstanding payments in a timely fashion.
  • Ensures all SACC programs are continuously maintaining the guidelines for a safe, educational, social, and nurturing environment as set by the YMCA and other regulatory organizations focusing specifically on YMCA's Core Values.
  • Creates new programs and brings new ideas for program growth and development.
  • Plans and executes Kids Day Out  (KDO) full-day programming in accordance with the local school district schedule for care when school is on break.
  • Establishes and sustains positive relationships with program participants, their families, prospective members, school personnel, board of education, and office of licensing.

Camp

  • Support the Program Director as they lead the summer camp program(s). Coach and develop them through creating new innovative camp programs and enhance the quality of existing programs.
  • Identify opportunities for expanded summer camp footprint through school-based camps, offsite camp location procurement, and mission-based camps that serve underserved communities.
  • With a full understanding of   American Camp Association Standards, ensure compliance with all accreditation requirements. Co-lead accreditation efforts with the Program Director.
  • Lend support to camp staff training sessions, workshops, and youth development mentoring.

Enrichment: Arts & Humanities, Sports, and Special Needs Programming

  • Provide supervision, coaching and developing to the Program Director.
  • Ensure the implementation of a  variety of enrichment programming including STEM, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Youth & Government that meets the changing needs and trends of our community.
  • Ensure the implementation of programming that enriches the experience of our Special Needs members and their families.
  • Ensure there is progressive programming that leads participants through a planned development culminating in a desired end result.

Early Childhood Education Center

  • Provide supervision, coaching and developing to the Director of Child Care.
  • Fulfill all mandated requirements to act as a NJ DCF OOL Licensed Child Care Director.
  • Provides support in recruiting, hiring, training, developing, scheduling, and directing early education teachers as needed. Develops strategies to establish trust, motivate and development staff and achieve program goals.
  • Ensures program operates within budget and that program fees are collected to minimize aged receivables.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with state childcare licensing agency, school administration, parent groups and other organizations and agencies related to  assigned programs. Responds to all agency, parent and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
  • Working knowledge of the applicable CCR&R (Child Care Resource & Referral Agency – i.e.: Community Child Care Solutions) processes, reporting, policies, etc. within 30 days of hire
  • Maintains proper records/department files according to federal, state, and local regulations. Thorough working knowledge of NJCCIS, CCCS, EPICC, and ACA expected within 30 days of hire.
  • Compiles and shares program statistics as required. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and  participation in program.

OTHER DUTIES 

  • Leads department fundraising efforts by meeting annual campaign goals and organizing volunteers and staff through activities and special events as necessary.
  • Responsible for complying with all Greater Somerset County YMCA Policies and Procedures.
  • Adheres and incorporates the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and educates members about the YMCA mission and goals.
  • Responsible for promoting programs, including developing program information for YMCA website,  programming guide, social media, etc.
  • Actively participate in trainings, seminars, special events, and meetings as required.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned. 
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.

Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors' communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Required Certifications
  • Master's Degree in Education,  Social Work, Recreational Programming, or a combination of a bachelor's  degree in years of relevant experience.
  • Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or obtain within 30 days of hire.
  • Blood borne Pathogens, Child  Abuse Prevention, Sexual Harassment and other program specific courses  within 30 days of hire.
  • Ability to complete successfully fingerprinting (CHRI) and child abuse prevention check (CARI)  as mandated by the state of New Jersey.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
  • The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.

FULL TIME BENEFITS at Greater Somerset County YMCA:

  • FREE family membership to Greater Somerset County YMCA, including full access to all of our branch facilities including Bridgewater YMCA, Hillsborough YMCA, Princeton YMCA, Somerset Hills YMCA, and Somerville YMCA.
  • FREE nationwide membership with access to over 2,500 YMCA locations across the country
  • Discounted program fees including 50% off on child care, camp, and SACC tuition for dependents.
  • Paid sick leave and short-term disability insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Generous 12% retirement contribution to the YMCA Retirement Fund after eligibility period (no employee contribution required)
  • Medical and dental insurance with prescription coverage
  • Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account for medical and/or dependent care
  • 100% contribution towards life insurance and long-term disability
  • Optional additional life insurance and dependent life insurance available at low rates
  • 403(b) Smart Savings Retirement PlanGenerous paid time off policy
  • 7 paid holidays

Greater Somerset County YMCA is a drug free work environment. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information who share our values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.