Youth Program Manager

HOW TO APPLY

A cover letter is required for your application to be considered.

To be considered, please submit both a cover letter and resume to Yasmin@celebratingroots.org with the subject line: “Youth Program Manager.” In your cover letter, tell us why you are excited about working at Celebrating Roots and what makes you a great fit for this role. For idealist applicants, cover letters may be submitted through the platform.

Deadline: Open until filled

About Us

Celebrating Roots is a growing South Seattle youth development nonprofit founded and led by refugee and immigrant women with a passion to empower underserved youth in our local communities. Our mission is to provide holistic support to youth and families from marginalized communities through culturally responsive services and programs. We serve youth ages 6-17 years old and provide them with afterschool and summer programming focused on social and emotional development and entrepreneurship skills development.

Our Approach

We achieve our mission through the dedication, strengths, and diversity of experience of our staff. Our programs connect young people to mentors and staff who reflect their own backgrounds, speak their languages, and/or understand their unique lived experiences as BIPOC immigrants and refugees. They are designed to foster a sense of belonging and positive identity development among youth while providing them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive.

Our Work Culture

As a community led organization, we put our humanity first. We believe when staff show up to work feeling rejuvenated and engaged, our students thrive! For this reason, we are dedicated to the promotion of work-life balance that includes opportunities for hybrid work schedules, and a supportive work environment where every team member feels valued and is empowered to make a meaningful impact. We emphasize collaboration, a strong work ethic, mutual-respect, and continuous learning.

Job Summary

As a Youth Program Manager, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of immigrant and refugee youth in the Rainier Vista neighborhood. Your work will prioritize youth voice, providing a safe, creative, and collaborative learning environment for school-age youth to positively develop their identities, build community, and gain the social, emotional, skills they need to successfully transition into adulthood. You will manage grant contracts, oversee program staff, coordinate program logistics, and foster meaningful relationships with stakeholders ( youth, parents, funders & partners).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Planning & Oversight: You will oversee the implementation and evaluation of youth program activities, ensuring that services are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with donor requirements. You will research and assess youth needs to develop and enhance services and procedures that align with community goals and feedback.

Grant Management: You will manage grant contracts, serving as the primary point of contact, ensuring achievement of contract goals, especially number of students successfully served, tracking progress, preparing necessary reports, and coordinating for site visits/ reviews. You will ensure overall contract compliance.

Staff Management: You will lead and support youth program staff, providing ongoing coaching, professional development, and training. You will also manage schedules, time-off requests, cover for absenteeism and fill open positions by hiring new staff as needed.

Outreach & Youth Engagement : You will lead outreach efforts within the team, ensuring successful recruitment and retention of students for programs. You will also serve as an engaging facilitator and mentor to program participants and youth in the community, acting as a liaison between youth, families, and other stakeholders to strengthen the network of support available to youth.

Partnership Development: You will identify and connect with community partners to create programming opportunities, build partnerships with volunteers, community members, and organizations that serve children and families, and formalize these partnerships with Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2 years of experience (volunteer or paid) leading and facilitating youth. programs, with a strong preference for experience working with refugee, immigrant, and underserved youth, especially from East African communities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage grant contracts, particularly government-funded contracts.
• Proven ability to manage a team, including leading program staff and volunteers to successfully deliver impactful youth programs.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships within refugee and immigrant communities, with a focus on broader East African communities.
• Deep understanding and respect for the cultural backgrounds of the youth and families we serve.
• You are outgoing and enjoy building and sustaining relationships with youth, parents and partners. This role requires proactivity in recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Highly organized, with excellent multitasking abilities and a strong track record of meeting deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities that support program goals.
• Proactive, organized, and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a small, dynamic team environment where all hands are on deck and every contribution is meaningful.
• Confident in leading projects with minimal oversight while effectively collaborating within a team in a dynamic environment.
• Strong ability to engage, facilitate, and enjoy working with youth ages 6-17, with a proven track record of creating positive, inclusive, and impactful program experiences.
• You communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• We strongly encourage individuals who share lived experiences with the youth we serve to apply! This includes BIPOC women, those with a refugee and immigrant background, and those with strong ties to the Rainier Vista community.

If this role excites you but your experience doesn't match every qualification, we still encourage you to apply!

REQUIRED

• This job requires occasional local travel (from office to program site). A valid Washington State driver’s license, personal automobile, and personal liability insurance are required.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Ability to communicate in one of the following languages ( written & verbal): Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromo