Director of Teen Center and Youth Development

YMCA
Salary
$66,300.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Lead innovative youth programs that empower teens through leadership, education, wellness, mentoring, and community engagement.
Job Description

The Director of Teen Center and Youth Development is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, coordination, and operational management of the YMCA of Yonkers Teen Center and its associated youth development initiatives.

This role oversees a continuum of youth-centered programming designed to provide safe spaces, positive mentorship, leadership development, academic support, workforce readiness, recreation, wellness, prevention-focused services, and community engagement opportunities for adolescents and young adults ages 12–21.

The Teen Center includes multiple program components, including OASAS-funded recovery-support and Clubhouse programming, Y-Achievers, workforce development initiatives, mentoring programs, wellness and prevention activities, leadership development programming, recreational enrichment, and other grant-supported youth services that collectively support positive youth development and long-term success.

This position is responsible for supervising staff, ensuring program quality and compliance, supporting participant engagement and retention, coordinating partnerships, managing daily Teen Center operations, and maintaining a safe, welcoming, structured, and trauma-informed environment for all youth participants.

The Director of Teen Center and Youth Development plays a key leadership role in advancing the YMCA of Yonkers' mission through high-quality youth programming, relationship-building, community collaboration, operational excellence, and youth empowerment.

Qualifications

Required

-Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Youth Development, Recreation, Education, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field.
-Minimum of three (3) years of experience working in youth development, community programming, prevention services, behavioral health, recovery-support services, or related fields.
-Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
-Ability to effectively engage adolescents, families, community stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
-Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.


Preferred

-Minimum of one (1) year of supervisory or program leadership experience.
-Experience working with grant-funded, compliance-driven, community-based, OASAS-funded, or recovery-support programming.
-CASAC, CASAC-T, or prior experience working within OASAS-funded prevention or recovery-support programming.
Candidates without a CASAC credential must be willing to obtain CASAC-T certification within a timeframe established by the YMCA of Yonkers upon hire.
-Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, positive youth development principles, recovery-support models, and youth engagement strategies.
-Bilingual (English/Spanish).
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and organizational management systems.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership & Operations

-Manage the daily operations of the Teen Center and associated youth development initiatives serving youth ages 12–21.
-Oversee implementation of the OASAS-funded recovery-support and Clubhouse programming and ensure compliance with all applicable programmatic and regulatory requirements.
-Coordinate structured youth programming focused on leadership development, mentoring, workforce readiness, recreation, wellness, prevention, academic support, life skills, and community engagement.
-Support implementation of Teen Center initiatives including Y-Achievers, wellness and prevention programming, mentoring activities, workforce development initiatives, recreational programming, and special events.
-Ensure programming remains engaging, youth-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and aligned with YMCA values and organizational priorities.
-Monitor participant engagement, attendance, retention, and overall program quality.
-Respond to participant concerns, incidents, behavioral challenges, and operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
-Ensure the Teen Center maintains a safe, clean, organized, structured, and welcoming environment for all participants.
-Assist in planning and coordinating youth trips, enrichment activities, workshops, community events, and recreational programming.
-Support implementation of program schedules, daily activities, and participant engagement strategies consistent with Teen Center operational goals and grant objectives.


Staff Leadership & Team Development

-Supervise Teen Center staff, counselors, interns, volunteers, and program facilitators.
-Provide direct supervision, coaching, scheduling, and performance management for the Teen Center Counselor, Teen Center Academic Career Counselor, and other assigned staff.
-Support onboarding, training, professional development, and operational accountability across Teen Center programming.
-Conduct regular staff meetings, supervision sessions, and performance evaluations.
-Promote professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and a positive team culture.


Compliance, Reporting & Program Administration

-Maintain accurate program documentation, attendance records, incident reports, and participant files.
-Prepare required reports, statistical summaries, grant documentation, and operational updates.
-Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, grant requirements, funder expectations, and organizational procedures.
-Monitor program budgets, inventory, supplies, and operational resources responsibly.


Community Engagement & Partnership Development

-Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, families, community organizations, government agencies, and youth-serving partners.
-Support youth recruitment, outreach, engagement, and retention efforts.
-Participate in community meetings, special events, organizational initiatives, and partnership-building activities.
-Represent the YMCA of Yonkers professionally in community-based settings and collaborative efforts.


Organizational Support

-Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
-Support special events, evening programming, and weekend activities as needed.
-Perform all other duties as assigned.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

-Youth Development & Program Leadership
-Communication & Relationship Building
-Team Leadership & Staff Development
-Community Engagement
-Problem Solving & Decision Making
-Program Operations & Accountability
-Trauma-Informed & Youth-Centered Practice
-Organizational Collaboration