ABOUT SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP):

The NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation's largest youth employment program, connecting New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.

SYEP is important for low-income youth who may face multiple barriers to obtaining early work experiences. Youth benefit from workforce development programs that offer hands-on exposure, paid internships and work experience, access to job skills training, and opportunities to develop social, civic, and leadership skills.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As a member of the Y’s Workforce Development team, the SYEP Program Director is responsible for the effective and successful management of the program offered for participants. The successful candidate will ensure that activities are conducted in full compliance with the specifications of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and provide detailed guidance and leadership to the SYEP staff. The SYEP Director serves as the liaison between the Y and DYCD, employees/participants, and worksite personnel, coordinating resources to best serve SYEP stakeholders. The Director will oversee the day-to-day operation of SYEP.

As part of the Y’s Workforce Development Center, led by the Managing Director of Workforce, the SYEP Director works in collaboration with staff from the Workforce Development Center, External Youth Programs, Afterschool, Camp, Inclusion, Education, Jewish Life, Enrichment, HR, and other departments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

DECEMBER - JUNE:

Supervise and work alongside the Job Developer to ensure a high quantity of diverse and high-quality worksites available for our youth over the summer.
Ensure all legal paperwork related to worksites is compliant with DYCD programmatic requirements, including pre/weekly assessments, worksite assurance, licenses, and others.
Ensure all enrollment, orientation, and programmatic documentation related to participants is compliant with DYCD programmatic requirements.
Collaborate with Afterschool Directors to develop and implement engaging activities, projects, and outreach initiatives that support recruitment and enrollment efforts. To leverage these opportunities to connect with students and their families, raise awareness of SYEP opportunities, and strengthen the pipeline of prospective applicants.
Serve as the Y’s year-round contact person to DYCD’s SYEP program area and keep the Y’s leadership informed of updates and changes that are relevant to the organization.
Attend training programs and job fairs related to workforce development.
Promote the program by attending community events and other related activities.
Maintain organized program files and records, digitally and physically.
Ensure the Y meets DYCD benchmarks and deadlines.
Coordinate logistics, including use of needed spaces with other Y directors and staff.
Put in place systems that will ensure efficient participant and worksite recruitment, weekly lottery, enrollment, interviewing, staff and participant and worksite training/orientation, job fair, job placement, worksite and participant supervision, and administrative processes for the summer.
Oversee the program’s budget along with the supervisor to ensure fiscal compliance.
Submit program plans, reports, and applications for DYCD approval and supervise maintenance of the DYCD database.
Work with HR to hire and supervise a Job Developer, Administrative Staff, and Worksite Monitors.

LEADING TO & DURING THE SUMMER (JUNE - SEPTEMBER):

Onboard and train SYEP’s summer staff members.
Ensure the Y meets the internal benchmark for recruited participants to fulfill DYCD slot allotment.
Work with support staff to ensure the Y meets DYCD’s enrollment benchmarks.
Ensure the interview and enrollment processes work efficiently.
Ensure SYEP orientations offer all participants the required amount of training to be accepted as active participants.
Ensure approved worksites receive proper orientation and direction leading into the start of summer programming.
Plan and implement job fairs at the Y for participants to be interviewed by hiring agencies.
Ensure that all active participants complete orientation and receive job placement to meet required DYCD threshold.
Ensure placed participants remain engaged and display active participation through the summer program. Should be prepared to exercise de-enrollment policy as needed to ensure this is being met.
Ensure the worksite monitors can respond to the needs of the program and the participants promptly.
Respond diligently and keep the supervisor abreast of situations that might require immediate attention, such as incident reporting.
Oversee weekly participant payroll.
Ensure organized filing of all administrative documents related to worksite and participant programmatic activities and documentation.
Maintain and monitor travel cards, mobile devices, and other programmatic equipment, and ensure they are kept under lock and key.
Ensure the program complies with SYEP’s requirements for the yearly audits and contract closeout packet.
Evaluate all activities for adherence to DYCD SYEP standards.
Supervise a team of staff members from SYEP, including:
- Administrative Staff.
- Worksite Monitors.
- Job Developer.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER:

Complete summer program closeout and ensure all documentation has been filed, organized, and accounted for in all programmatic folders, participants, and worksites.
Complete and commit remaining participant payroll adjustments throughout the adjustment period via the DYCD system.
Develop a program debrief document to supply to DYCD and for next summer cycle strategies.
Develop an implementation plan for the next summer cycle, including each of its phases.
Create new and strengthen existing relationships with worksites, including in-person visits, correspondence, and field work as necessary.
Create new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with partner organizations that provide us with participants, including schools, businesses, other community organizations, and others.
Actively support the Y’s general Workforce Development efforts.

DEPARTMENT EXPECTATIONS:

Participate in Y’s management team activities, including but not limited to:
- All internal Y meetings.
- Weekly supervision meetings with the Managing Director of the Workforce Development Center.
- Participation in occasional Lunch and Learns at the Y is encouraged.
- DYCD compulsory trainings and meetings.
Work in collaboration with Y Programs to identify potential students to transition to SYEP.
Be an active leader within the Workforce Development Team who will share with the other directors and staff. This team is led by the Y’s Managing Director of the Workforce Development Center.

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

Full-time position.
Monday – Friday, with the potential for work on weekends
This position will require some late hours during the year and might require some longer hours during the summer and leading up to the summer.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Exceptional organizational skills including attention to detail.
Proven planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluation skills; can work in a well-planned and organized manner; can follow through with multiple deliverables.
Organization and people savvy; can make informed decisions; can collaborate, lead and develop others, influence, forge strong partnerships and maintain positive, professional relationships.
Comfortable dealing with change and a fluid environment; flexible and adaptable, especially when faced with challenging situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to clearly and appropriately communicate in a variety of settings and styles.
Proficient in the use of Google Suite, MS Office applications, social media, and other technology platforms for youth programs.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
Three years of related experience working in the field of youth development or youth workforce development.
Demonstrated experience in Program Management with successful work output related to planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs.

WORK AUTHORIZATION & CLEARANCE

Documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
Must pass the background check, medical form, and fingerprinting through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

This job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the employee. Other functions and responsibilities may change or may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law

Director of SYEP

About the Job

YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood

Director of SYEP

About the Job