Assistant Unit Director - Pea Ridge

Boys and Girls Club of Benton County; Pea Ridge (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Boys and Girls Club of Benton County in Pea Ridge, AR seeks an Assistant Unit Director – Programs to lead trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate youth programs and supervise staff across Club operations. You will partner with the Unit Director to create safe, inclusive spaces and coordinate grant-funded initiatives.

The role emphasizes program design, staff coaching, evaluation, and community partnerships to enhance youth experience and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in youth-serving programs with demonstrated knowledge of trauma and its impact.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), with active listening, de-escalation, and strengths-based language.
• Understanding of group dynamics, youth behavior, and inclusive activity planning.
• Ability to lead staff and volunteers with compassion, consistency, and accountability.
• Experience with grant implementation, program evaluation, and outcome measurement.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a 15-passenger van.
• Willingness to travel and participate in occasional multi-day trips.
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee core Club programs (e.g., SMART Moves, Torch Club, Healthy Habits, Girls Who Code).
• Implement interest based programming based on members feedback.
• Design and deliver engaging, predictable, and inclusive programming tailored to youth interests and needs.
• Promote youth leadership through peer-led activities, voice in decision-making, and opportunities for self-expression.
• Monitor program quality and effectiveness using feedback, attendance, and outcome data.
• Facilitate weekly/monthly programming meetings for staff.
• Collaborate with the Unit Director to maintain smooth daily operations, including program scheduling and coverage planning.
• Step in during high-volume times or staff absences to ensure safe, consistent supervision and leadership.
• Help enforce and model policies related to youth safety, conduct, health, and transportation.
• Support with facility upkeep and ensure spaces are clean, safe, and emotionally welcoming.
• Provide daily guidance and support to staff and volunteers in program areas.
• Coach and supervise staff to implement trauma-informed practices, positive behavior supports, and youth-centered engagement strategies.
• Support new hire onboarding and ongoing staff development through coaching, check-ins, and training facilitation.
• Collect and report program data (e.g., attendance, outcomes) with confidentiality.
• Stay up-to-date with grant funded programming and ensure that all requirements are met in a timely manor.
• Ensure accurate tracking for grant-funded initiatives and assist with meeting reporting deadlines.
• Participate in outcome evaluation to inform program improvements and celebrate successes.
• Build trusting relationships with families and caregivers to support wraparound services for youth.
• Represent the Club in a professional, respectful, and collaborative manner at events and partnership meetings.
• Help cultivate and maintain community partnerships that reflect shared values.

Skills

Trauma-informed leadership

Communication skills

Staff supervision

Grant implementation

Community partnerships

Willingness to travel

CPR/First Aid

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Pea Ridge Unit - Pea Ridge, AR, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day, Job Summary:

The Assistant Unit Director supports the overall success of Club operations by leading high-quality, trauma-informed programs while assisting with daily site management. This role blends hands-on program development with staff supervision and operational coordination. The Assistant Unit Director – Programs works closely with the Unit Director to ensure Club environments are emotionally and physically safe, inclusive, and empowering for all youth. Responsibilities include overseeing organization-wide programs, mentoring youth and staff, supporting grant implementation, and maintaining strong community partnerships that enhance the Club experience.

Responsibilities

BGCBC Culture

• Model and promote the organization’s trauma-informed values.
• Foster environments rooted in dignity, inclusion, emotional safety, empowerment, and relationship-building.
• Support programs and volunteer experiences that affirm youth identity, voice, and lived experiences.

Trauma-Informed Culture & Youth Development

• Model the values of dignity, inclusion, emotional safety, and empowerment in all interactions.
• Promote culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Create welcoming spaces where youth feel seen, respected, and engaged.

Program Development & Implementation

• Lead and oversee core Club programs (e.g., SMART Moves, Torch Club, Healthy Habits, Girls Who Code).
• Implement interest based programming based on members feedback.
• Design and deliver engaging, predictable, and inclusive programming tailored to youth interests and needs.
• Promote youth leadership through peer-led activities, voice in decision-making, and opportunities for self-expression.
• Monitor program quality and effectiveness using feedback, attendance, and outcome data.
• Facilitate weekly/monthly programming meetings for staff.

Operations & Site Support

• Collaborate with the Unit Director to maintain smooth daily operations, including program scheduling and coverage planning.
• Step in during high-volume times or staff absences to ensure safe, consistent supervision and leadership.
• Help enforce and model policies related to youth safety, conduct, health, and transportation.
• Support with facility upkeep and ensure spaces are clean, safe, and emotionally welcoming.

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Provide daily guidance and support to staff and volunteers in program areas.
• Coach and supervise staff to implement trauma-informed practices, positive behavior supports, and youth-centered engagement strategies.
• Support new hire onboarding and ongoing staff development through coaching, check-ins, and training facilitation.

Data, Evaluation & Grants

• Collect and report program data (e.g., attendance, outcomes) with confidentiality.
• Stay up-to-date with grant funded programing and ensure that all requirements are met in a timely manor.
• Ensure accurate tracking for grant-funded initiatives and assist with meeting reporting deadlines.
• Participate in outcome evaluation to inform program improvements and celebrate successes.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build trusting relationships with families and caregivers to support wraparound services for youth.
• Represent the Club in a professional, respectful, and collaborative manner at events and partnership meetings.
• Help cultivate and maintain community partnerships that enhance programming and reflect shared values.

Marketing & Promotion

• Increase program visibility through flyers, family communication, and digital platforms.
• Share success stories and youth achievements in ways that are empowering, strengths-based, and culturally respectful.

Relationships

Internal: Maintain close, daily communication with staff, youth, and the Unit Director. Build a workplace culture grounded in trust, accountability, emotional safety, and continuous learning.

External:Collaborate with community groups, schools, families, and partners in a professional and trauma-sensitive manner. Approach all relationships with a spirit of mutual respect, equity, and care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in youth-serving programs with demonstrated knowledge of trauma and its impact
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), with an emphasis on active listening, de-escalation, and strengths-based language
• Understanding of group dynamics, youth behavior, and inclusive activity planning
• Ability to lead staff and volunteers with compassion, consistency, and accountability
• Experience with grant implementation, program evaluation, and outcome measurement
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a 15-passenger van
• Willingness to travel and participate in occasional multi-day trips
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain)

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• High energy and the ability to multi-task while remaining emotionally grounded and supportive
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and engage in high-energy outdoor or physical activities (e.g., hiking, canoeing, games)
• Employee must be able to get on and drive members on a 15-passenger van or bus.
• Comfortable working in both structured indoor environments and unpredictable, dynamic Club spaces

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to list every task or responsibility. Duties may evolve to meet the needs of youth, staff, and the organization. Flexibility, empathy, and a trauma-informed mindset are essential components of success in this role.