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Summary of Position:  The Senior Program Specialist’s primary responsibility is to implement high quality programs and logistics within The Lutz Center and The Lutz Annex after school, during the day, on weekends and during school breaks . The Senior Program Specialist will conduct site visits, observations and provide recommendations regarding program quality, safety, compliance, instruction, program attendance, enrollment and retention and other critical issues. Acting as the liaison between After School Matters and the program providers and community partners, the Senior Program Specialist will communicate requirements, policy changes, and other relevant information to ensure successful implementation of the program. Based upon observations, site visits and other relevant data, the Senior Program Specialist will provide coaching to ensure improvement in areas identified.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

+ Employee Instructors and Program Providers

+ Provide direction Program Assistant, Lutz Program Assistants, and to community and campus liaisons to ensure compliance with program requirements

+ Annual operating budget responsibility: $1M

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Quality

+ Oversee and ensure high-quality of all programs at the Lutz Center (and the surrounding area).

+ Build and maintain a high-quality program portfolio that includes after school, daytime, weekend, and school break programs.

+ Track and analyze program data to identify trends, address challenges, identify program supports needed, and implement strategies that maximize participation and retention in programs

+ Assist in the recruitment process of program staff, oversee the selection of returning programs, identify new program providers, and ensure compliance with portfolio benchmarks

+ Assess program quality and compliance and provide program budget and portfolio reports and recommendations to Program Manager

+ Conduct regular program site visits for each program in portfolio and make recommendations for Youth Program Quality Assessments

+ Manage ASM instructors from recruitment to providing ongoing coaching to instructors, ensuring they have the resources and training necessary to deliver high-quality programming

+ Maintain regular communication with Facilities Management re: building cleanliness, building organization, building repairs, space reservations, building improvements, security, safety drills, food service, etc.

+ Establish, communicate, and uphold building expectations (entry/exit, food/drink expectations, no gum, appropriate attire, etc.)

+ Act as a day-to-day contact person with instructors and school staff for programs.

+ Plan and facilitate Teen Ambassador trainings each program session.

+ Plan and facilitate individual program start up meetings to review program session expectations, individual program quality goals, and resources.

+ Conduct one-on-one meetings with partners, instructors and liaisons when needed.

+ Assist the Senior Program Manager in supervising support staff in the building.

+ Establish, communicate, and uphold building expectations (entry/exit, food/drink expectations, no gum, appropriate attire, etc.)

+ Provide leadership for the building when the Senior Program Manager is not available

Administrative Duties

+ Act as the primary contact for instructors, community/campus liaisons, and school staff for programs

+ Assist in developing and implementing effective teen recruitment and retention strategies for branch programs

+ Plan, schedule, organize, and conduct all assigned meetings with partners, instructors, community, and campus liaisons each session

+ Approve instructor and liaison timesheets and trouble shoot systems errors with instructors and liaisons.

+ Submit incident reports and follow up on next steps, including conducting thorough follow-up on incident reports, and addressing concerns raised by instructors, community-based organizations, schools, and sites with support from Program Manager

Community Relations

+ Coordinate community outreach efforts, including attending events and meetings (e.g., aldermanic meetings, police district beat meetings, library meetings) to promote programs and recruit participants, securing locations for programs

+ Gather feedback from community members and partners to create new programs, continuously improve existing programs, and address the needs of the communities served

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

+ Excellent interpersonal skills

+ Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships

+ Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams

+ Demonstrated experience managing facility and program operations

+ Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving abilities

+ Excellent oral and written communication skills

+ Excellent Microsoft Office skills: ability to collect and maintain information as needed

+ Demonstrated experience in project management

+ Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines

+ Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment

+ Respect for all levels of the organization and outside partners

+ Energetic team player who works well in collaborative situations

+ Strong orientation to customer service

Qualifications:

+ Minimum bachelor’s degree required

+ Minimum 4-6 years relevant experience

+ Valid Driver’s License, insured transportation, and driving record that satisfies our Motor Vehicle Policy required

+ Cook County residency required

+ Experience in using Cityspan database a plus

+ Evenings and some weekends required

Benefits for full-time regular employees include:

+ Medical, Dental, and Vision

+ Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Paid Parental Leave (PPL)

+ 403B Retirement Plan

+ Identity Theft, Legal, and Pet Insurance

+ Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Time, and paid national holidays

Compensation: $54,000 - 59,000, based on education and experience

About Us: After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

ASM has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens.

ASM offers paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters’ annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

EEO:  After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.

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