Battle Creek Youth Program Specialist

Grand Valley State University; Allendale Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision and dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement contributions

Wellness resources

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Grand Valley State University is seeking a Battle Creek Youth Program Specialist to develop and oversee summer camps, after-school programs, and the 8th Grade Pathways to GVSU initiative in Battle Creek, MI. The role focuses on student growth and educational engagement.

The position requires leadership, strong collaboration with schools and community partners, and a commitment to inclusive education. Salary starts at $60,000 with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Youth Development, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of dedicated experience in educational program development, youth programs, or related areas, with a proven track record of success.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities, capable of engaging effectively with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Extensive experience working with K-12 students in educational or recreational settings, Battle Creek area.
• Strong commitment to working with diverse populations, including first-generation students and low-income learners.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with educators, community leaders, and parents to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement engaging and educational summer camp programs for K-12 students.
• Recruit, train, and supervise camp staff and volunteers.
• Ensure summer camp programs comply with safety and health regulations.
• Develop and oversee after-school programs, managing logistics and locations.
• Coordinate with teachers, parents, school administrators, and university stakeholders.
• Monitor attendance and assess program impact to drive improvements.
• Manage budgets and resources for programs to ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Seek funding opportunities through grants and partnerships.
• Promote programs to ensure high participation and community engagement.
• Collect and analyze data to report on program outcomes and impact.

Skills

Communication

Program development

Staff management

Collaboration

K-12 experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Youth Development, or related field

Master's degree in Education, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field

Job description

Battle Creek Youth Program Specialist

Battle Creek, MI
Full Time
R104882

This position is responsible for developing and overseeing summercamps, after-school programs, and other activities for K-12students in the Battle Creek area, as well as overseeing the 8thGrade Pathways to GVSU program. This role requires a passionateindividual dedicated to creating engaging and educational programsthat support students' academic and personal growth.

Salary & Benefits: Minimum starting salary of $60,000,commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental,life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions,wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date ofhire.

Primary Duties:

Development of Summer Camps:

• Program Design: Design and implement engaging andeducational summer camp programs for K-12 students, creatingcomprehensive schedules, lesson plans, and activities.
• Staff Management: Recruit, train, and supervise campstaff and volunteers, ensuring a high-quality, safe, and enjoyablecamp experience.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all summer camp programscomply with relevant safety and health regulations, maintaining asecure environment for all participants.

After-School Program Development:

• Program Development: Develop and oversee after-schoolprograms tailored to the diverse interests and needs of K-12students, providing enriching and supportiveenvironments.
• Logistical Coordination: Manage program logistics, includinglocation(s), transportation, and materials, to ensure seamlessoperations.
• Community Collaboration: Collaborate with localorganizations and community partners to enhance program offeringsand provide comprehensive support to students.
• Impact Assessment: Track attendance and assess theimpact of after-school programs on student development, usingfindings to refine and improve the programs.

8th Grade Pathways to GVSU Program Oversight:

• Leadership: Lead the 8th Grade Pathways to GVSU program inBattle Creek with a focus on addressing the unique needs ofstudents, ensuring it aligns with educational best practices andprogram objectives.
• Curriculum Development: Develop and implement a dynamiccurriculum and engaging activities that support the program's goalsand foster student growth.
• Coordination and Collaboration: Facilitate smoothprogram operations by coordinating with teachers, parents, schooladministrators, and University stakeholders, Academic Deans forcollege visits, admissions, financial aid, social justice centers,athletics, and other relevant units.
• Program Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate programeffectiveness, using data-driven insights to implement necessaryimprovements and maintain records of student progress and programparticipation.
• Expansion Strategies: Explore and execute strategies toexpand the program to additional partner schools and communityorganizations, enhancing the program's reach and impact.

Program Administration:

• Resource Management: Manage budgets and resourceseffectively, ensuring programs are cost-effective, sustainable, andaligned with financial goals.
• Funding Opportunities: Seek and secure funding opportunitiesthrough grants and partnerships to support and expand programinitiatives.
• Promotion and Outreach: Promote programs through variouschannels to ensure high participation rates, engaging the communityand stakeholders effectively.
• Data Analysis: Collect and analyze data to report onprogram outcomes and impact, using insights to drive programenhancements and demonstrate success.

Community Engagement:

• Relationship Building: Foster strong, positive relationshipswith students, parents, school staff, and community members andorganizations, creating a supportive and collaborativenetwork.
• Event Organization: Organize events and activities toshowcase student achievements and program successes, highlightingthe impact of the programs.
• Liaison Role: Serve as a liaison between the schooldistrict and community organizations, facilitating communicationand cooperation to support student development and programgoals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Youth Development, or a relatedfield.
• Minimum of three (3) years of dedicated experience ineducational program development, youth programs, or related areas,with a proven track record of success.
• Demonstrated expertise in organizational and project managementskills, with the ability to oversee multiple projectssimultaneously and meet deadlines consistently.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities, capableof engaging effectively with students, parents, andcolleagues.
• Extensive experience working with K-12 students in educationalor recreational settings, particularly in the Battle Creek area,fostering a supportive and enriching environment.
• Strong commitment to and experience in working with diversepopulations, including first-generation students and low-incomelearners, ensuring inclusive and equitable educationalopportunities.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group ofstakeholders, including educators, community leaders, and parents,to achieve common goals.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Master's degree in Education, Public Administration, NonprofitManagement, or a related field.
• Proven experience in grant writing and fundraising,successfully securing funding for educational programs andinitiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of local community resources andorganizations in Battle Creek, with established connections and astrong network within the community.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuringtheir eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen ornational of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, aforeign national authorized to work in the United States withoutthe need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of appointment

Application Deadline:

Review of applications will begin onMonday September 21, 2026, and the posting may be closed at anytime at the discretion of the university.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able toperform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physicalstamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. Therequirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skilland/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions. The information contained in this job description is forcompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended bythe ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Actof 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibitdiscrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will providereasonable accommodations to qualified individuals withdisabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDDCallers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or1-800-833-7833 (out of State). Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/EqualOpportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunityfor protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.University policy extends protections to additionalidentities.