YMCA of Greater Boston

Position Title: Program Manager, YMCA’s Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program

Reports to: Senior Director, Workforce Development

Position Type: Full time, Exempt

Salary Range: $60,000-70,000

Branch: Education and Training

About the Opportunity

The YMCA of Greater Boston’s Education & Training Branch provides high-quality, integrated adult basic education and workforce development as well as key support services to immigrant, unemployed, an/or underemployed adult learners across the Greater Boston Area.

The Education & Training Branch seeks an individual who is team-oriented, organized, and relationship-focused to manage the day-to-day operations and lead the management, administration, and implementation of the YMCA of Greater Boston’s Early Childhood Education Academy; this person will work closely with their supervisor to play a key and ongoing role in the program development and design, impact measurement and quality improvement of the Early Childhood Education Academy.

Essential Responsibilities:

Program Design and Administration

• Develop, review and update program content and curriculum in collaboration with the Child Development Team.
• Oversee office and classroom set up for affiliated program(s)
• Ensure maintenance of accurate data and confidential records for program participants
• Oversee volunteers, mentors, interns, partners and instructors associated with program
• Coordinate regular community of practice meetings for apprentices and mentors
• Provide necessary information and contribute to grant reporting requirements
• Support director in developing and managing program budget
• Generate communications and social media content for affiliated program(s)

Intake and Admissions

• Recruit and register participants utilizing internal and external recruiting strategies
• Manage intake determine which applicants would be a good fit for the program based off of established criteria
• Work with other managers and director to complete applicant interviews, provide feedback on participant candidacy and select trainees
• Work closely with identified Branch leadership to place trainees in apprenticeship roles

Instruction and Advising

• Provide direct instruction for programs, including program orientation as needed.
• Co-create training and job simulations with the E&T and Child Development team
• Evaluate trainee assignments and update progress in agency database
• Work in partnership with Program Manager, Career Services to develop and coordinate individual career and employment plans for trainees
• Provide 1-1 professional guidance and career resources for trainees
• Support apprentices and mentors in filling out their Work Process Plan, support in receiving Related Technical Instruction, and completing On the Job Learning.
• Provide coverage, as needed, for other programming taking place within the branch

Relationship Management

• Work with director to steward relationships with key stakeholders (trainees, YMCA branch leadership staff, mentors, volunteers, employment partners, and funders) and coordinate the approach to each trainee’s employment plans
• Enhance partnerships using employer feedback and update curriculum resulting in improved trainee placement rates
• Contribute to program-wide operations and events contributing to successful placement of trainees and overall success of the branch

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work or lived experience.
• Experience in developing and managing high quality programs or related work.
• Experience in early education, and/or workforce development field preferred
• Highly developed communication, follow through, time management, problem resolution and advocacy skills; resourceful, intuitive, and strong team-player
• Experience in collaborating with a diverse team
• Strong passion and commitment to working with diverse populations,
• Demonstration of sensitivity, understanding and respect of diverse populations within the workplace and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all policies and practices.
• Strong technology skills (MS Office, databases, and web-based applications)
• Counseling and case management experience, preferred
• Experience in employment services, teaching, training adult learners or related skills.
• Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish preferred

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with diverse populations with culturally responsive practices
• Ability to facilitate conversations regarding race, ethnicity, racism, culture, and equity
• Strong presentation and facilitative leadership skills with audiences of various sizes, of various educational backgrounds, and with competing agendas
• Able to take initiative, and work in teams and independently
• Advanced skills with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Suite
• Available to work a flexible schedule that includes some evenings and weekends