Youth Development Program Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Youth Development Program Case Manager, under the guidance of the Senior Program Director and with support from the Executive Director, ensures positive outcomes for youth development. They help participants meet their goals, access academic resources, and engage in meaningful activities. Additionally, the Case Manager supports the YMCA’s various Teen programs by facilitating workshops at middle and high schools and in the community. These programs focus on five core pillars: Academics, College Knowledge, Positive Relationships, Life Skills, and Positive Identity. The aim is to connect youth with resources to transition into high school, graduate high school, and pursue further education or vocational training, ultimately leading to gainful employment and community contribution. The role also includes some administrative responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct services to youth ages 14-21, including the facilitation of program curriculum, survey administration, and activities.

• Assess youth and provide resources that support individual needs of students and academic resources. 

• Case management: Document resources, contact schedule, and activities for youth assigned to your caseload, ensuring all required documents are accurately completed and are in student files

• Work closely with Directors and other MYY team members as appropriate to acquire all participant documents.

• Attend youth development events that support the needs of each youth group and various programs. 

• Attend mandatory field trips throughout the year (Achievers outdoors overnight camping, Spring Break College Tour, local industry and college tours) as assigned.

• Identify opportunities and resources for program participants. 

• Recruitment, registration, and retention of youth for all program participants of the Metro Youth YMCA Branch

• Serve as a facilitator for various programs and site locations during the week, 1-2 evenings per week, and 2 alternating Saturdays a month. 

• Assist with planning and the execution of program events and activities. 

• Serve as a liaison between assigned program sites, youth, and families. 

• Attend partnership meetings and other community meetings as assigned.

• For the Grow Detroit Young Talent Summer Program, conduct interviews with work site supervisors, parent/guardian, and check-in.

• Support school year during and after-school, community, and summer programming. 

• Additional duties as assigned aligned with the primary job function. 

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Extensive knowledge about youth development and case management.

• Knowledgeable about developmentally and research-based best practices

• Demonstrated ability to implement programming and curriculum based on strategic and grant requirements.

• Demonstrated superior interpersonal, written, and oral communication and relationship-building skills

• Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. 

• Embraces new approaches and ideas to create a better program and environment for participants.

• Adheres to goals, tasks, plans, and actively participates in meetings. 

• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including safety protocols and reporting. 

• Must support the mission of the YMCA of Metro Detroit and promote family activities, to promote youth values, to promote physical and mental fitness, to promote international understanding, and include the following Character Development Values:  Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y's values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgment and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in youth development, education, social work, or a related area of work is required. 

• Case management in youth and family services, preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with diverse communities and organizations is required. 

• Reliable transportation is essential. Must possess a competent working knowledge of technology, including Word Processing and a variety of database software required.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification is required before hire or within 90 days of employment.

• Be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access).

• Utilize effective time management and organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND 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. Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise caseload.