Program Specialist - Girls Inc.

Young Women's Resource Center; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The Program Specialist provides direct programming and support for YWRC participants primarily in 3rd through 12th grades. Key duties include coordinating, implementing, and facilitating groups, presentations, and workshops onsite, within schools, and in the community.

The role requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or 3+ years of experience in human services, plus at least 1 year of youth work and group facilitation, along with strong computer and driving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or 3 years+ experience in human services working with youth.
• 1+ year experience working with a diverse population of youth.
• 1 year experience in group facilitation.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, laptops, and cell phone/tablet devices.
• Valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and access to a personal vehicle.
• Passage of all required criminal history background checks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and facilitate Girls Inc. groups within schools, at the YWRC, or at other community locations.
• Prepare for and facilitate reproductive health or other topic specific initiatives including small groups, presentations, and workshops.
• Prepare for and facilitate special events for participants.
• Implement curriculum and meet targets as indicated by grant requirements and the agency strategic plan.
• Assist with back‑up facilitation support across all YWRC group programming.
• Collect all necessary paperwork from clients.
• Complete program tracking forms, client intake and assessment forms and other required documentation.

Skills

Group facilitation

Microsoft Office

Communication

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or 3+ years human services experience

Job description

Des Moines, IA

$39,000 ‒ $49,000 Annually

Job Title: Program Specialist – Girls Inc.

Reports To: Girls Inc. Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-exempt, hourly

Location: Des Moines, IA

Salary: $18.75 - $23.56 hourly ($39,000 - $49,000 annually) dependent upon experience

Terms: 40 hours per week, flexible schedule, In-person, regularly scheduled late afternoon/early evenings required

Organization Summary

Mission: To empower participants to be strong, self-confident, and resilient.

Vision: For youth of our community to grow to their full potential and realize the life of possibilities they deserve.

Values: Equity, Resiliency, Accessibility, Community, Advocacy

What We Do

The Young Women’s Resource Center (YWRC) is a non‑profit organization that supports, educates, and champions for participants ages 8-24. YWRC participants include anyone who identifies or has been socialized as female. Through small groups and individual support, the YWRC provides programming for all participants, no matter what they may be going through. The YWRC’s unique structure features three branches of programming - Counseling, Girls Inc., and Young Moms - to better serve the members of our community throughout various stages of life along with other services that meet participants’ essential needs and remove barriers to their participation. Our programs and services enable participants’ self-determination so they can set and achieve goals that are personally meaningful to them and that support their long‑term independence.

The YWRC is an agency that serves and celebrates participants with a diverse range of identities including race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The YWRC strives to build, maintain, and support a staff that reflects that diversity. The YWRC strongly encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English.

Position Summary

The Program Specialist provides direct programming and support for YWRC participants primarily in 3rd through 12th grades. Key duties include coordinating, implementing, and facilitating groups, presentations, and workshops onsite, within schools, and in the community

Responsibilities

FACILITATION – 75%

• Prepare for and facilitate Girls Inc. groups within schools, at the YWRC, or at other community locations. Includes participant recruitment and space set‑up and take‑down.
• Prepare for and facilitate reproductive health or other topic specific initiatives including small groups, presentations, and workshops.
• Prepare for and facilitate special events for participants.
• Implement curriculum and meet targets as indicated by grant requirements and the agency strategic plan.
• Assist with back‑up facilitation support across all YWRC group programming.

REPORTING – 15%

• Collect all necessary paperwork from clients.
• Complete program tracking forms, client intake and assessment forms and other agency‑required documentation and reports as assigned.
• Enter client information into the YWRC database.
• Track and submit program expenditures.
• Follow Agency Mandated Reporting Guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and contract requirements.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES – 10%

• Stay current on trends and best practices related to youth.
• Maintain awareness of community resources and make referrals as necessary.
• Attend agency meetings and additional staff trainings as required including team, staff, and committee meetings.
• Work with and supervise interns and volunteers as appropriate to fulfill job duties and department functions.
• Support YWRC fundraising events.
• Support YWRC marketing and communication efforts
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Philosophical agreement with YWRC’s mission, vision, values, and work.
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or 3 years or more of experience in the human services field working with youth or in youth development.
• 1 or more years’ experience working with a diverse population of youth.
• 1 year of experience in group facilitation.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, laptops, and cell phone/tablet devices.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and access to personal vehicle.
• Passage of all required criminal history background checks.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience working in health & human services.
• Knowledge of/trained in youth development, youth leadership, protective/resiliency factors, gender responsive, and/or reproductive health curricula.
• Bi/Multi‑lingual (Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, French).
• CPR certification or ability to attain within 3 months of hire.
• Mandatory Reporter certification or ability to attain within 60 days of hire.
• Sexual Health Educator certification or training.
• Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care/Trauma Responsive Practices.
• Trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
• Ability to sit and move around the work area.
• Finger dexterity.
• Repetitive motion of wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 25 lbs.
• Close vision to read computer screen and documents.
• Speech and hearing to communicate with co‑workers, clients, donors, volunteers, board members, and vendors.
• Ability to operate a vehicle.

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 essential job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

• YWRC is a tobacco‑free building.
• Work is in an office environment.
• The noise level is usually moderate. Infrequent overnight travel is possible.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL STAFF

• Participant/Customer Focused – builds strong client/customer relationships and delivers client/customer‑centric solutions.
• Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable for meeting commitments.
• Values Differences – Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the agency.
• Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Collaborates- Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi‑mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Situational Adaptability- Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Other Duties

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees may be required to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at‑will relationship.

YWRC is dedicated to equal employment and advancement opportunities. It is YWRC’s policy to hire and promote qualified individuals on the basis of their qualifications, interest and aptitude, without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected group under applicable state, federal or local law.