Transformational Beginnings (TrB) Program Manager

Job Title: Transformational Beginning (TrB) Program Manager

Reports to: Director of Workforce

Type: Full Time

Category: Workforce Development

Background on UTEC, Inc.

UTEC’s promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC’s outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth where they’re at. UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs, and provides mental health services and intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

UTEC is committed to its vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which pledges to honor the lived experiences and expertise of individuals; create community and celebration of cultures; challenge all forms of oppression; and embody a culture that leans into discomfort and recognizes it as a growth opportunity. UTEC is dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practice, the health, mental health, and overall well-being of young adults and staff and to creating an environment that supports work-life balance and the individual and professional growth of all.

Job Summary

UTEC’s Transformational Beginnings (TrB) Program Manager is responsible for providing operational oversight and assistance to the TrB Program staff and young adults. S/he guides the TrB Team on supporting all young adults’ experiences at the Mattress Recycling Warehouse and at the Lawrence Center. S/he plans and implements daily structured programming, which includes job readiness training in the Mattress Recycling Warehouse, and personal development growth (SEL workshops, talking circles, mediation sessions, etc.) in the Lawrence Center. S/he facilitates TrB Orientations (monthly) and coordinates educational/relationship building activities and outings.

The TrB Program Manager identifies as a dedicated youth worker with a passion for transitional employment programming. This individual values innovation and creativity and applies these values in problem-solving or defining success in this integrated youth development social enterprise.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises and supports a crew of up to 15 young adults in the Mattress Recycling Warehouse and/or at the Lawrence Center
• Provide direct supervision to individuals in the following positions: TrB Coach
• Youth Worker of Transformational Beginnings
• Provide regular supervision through individual meetings with direct reports on a weekly or bi-weekly basis
• Complete, implement and monitor career development related processes
• Review and approve all timesheets and requests for time off
• Provide direct reports with ongoing feedback on progress as well as any performance concerns
• Document any exceptional performance as well as any concerning behavior shared with HR
• Identify areas for professional growth for all direct reports and align with any available resources at UTEC
• Ensure that all staff can identify the impact of their role on agency-wide goals and metrics for success

Duties/Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director of Workforce Development, Assistant Director of Recycling Operations and Logistics, Lead Streetworks, and workforce staff in implementing quality integrated programing and preparing youth for a continuum of the workforce and educational opportunities
• Introduce UTEC’s Culture and Values to all young adults via talking circle, workshops, and relationship building.
• Assess Young Adults strengths, areas of growth, and personal or systematic barriers, including housing stability, educational (CASAS), mental health, and gang involvement assessments
• Facilitate Personal Development/SEL Workshops to all young adults including, Time Management, Intro to Communication, Resume Building, etc.
• Coordinate specialized trainings with other UTEC staff and community partners (e.g. Mental Health, Anger Management, Financial Literacy)
• Provide operational oversight of daily transportation to TrB young adults to and from the Lawrence Warehouse and Center.
• Provide support to the Assistant Director of Recycling Operations and Logistics , and Sr. Director of SE in developing and maintaining operations processes and protocols in Mattress Recycling
• Co-host TrB Site Visits for other staff, board members, and funders
• Engage young adults and create a safe, positive, learning, and empowerment environment
• Follow up daily with TrB young adults who miss programming to encourage participation and engagement
• Provide emergency assistance and crisis intervention to TrB young adults
• Attend and Provide assistance at UTEC events, field trips, and retreats
• Ensure there is a clear criteria that is aligned to interventions and supports for deciding when a young adults is ready to transition to the next level of programming
• Lead planning and implementation of a transition celebration event as YAs move from TrB to WF Program

Required Skills/Abilities

• At least 3 or more years of youth development experience with proven-risk young adults
• At least 2 or more years of supervisory experience preferred
• Flexibility: Thrives in a hectic and fast-paced environment; open to other perspectives and feedback
• Commitment: Genuinely cares about the young adults and UTEC’s success
• Relentless: Does not give up on young adults, proactively reaches out to young adults, can see young adults succeeding even when the young adults cannot see it her/himself
• Lead by Example: Demonstrates punctuality, reliability, sound judgment, stress management, and teamwork to corps members, other staff, and young adults; works side-by-side with crew on-site or off-site
• Controlled Response: Remains calm and objective when confronting defense-provoking situations; tolerates stress
• Coachable: Open to feedback and personal and professional improvement
• Relationship Builder: values and nurtures relationships between self and young adults, self and community partners, self and colleagues
• Drive: Hunger to do an excellent job, a passion to own one’s work, proactively comes up with systems and solutions to make one’s work more effective
• Well Organized: Can manage at a high level while keeping day-to-day on track
• Attention to Detail: Creates and maintains protocols that enhance young adults experience and provides a positive environment for young adults
• Team Player: Upholds UTEC’s mission, values, and vibe
• Sense of Humor: The ability to laugh at oneself is a must!
• Basic knowledge of Google Docs along with Microsoft Office documents
• Understanding, practicing, and preaching UTEC’s core values

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 30 plus pounds
• Must be able to be on your feet for the majority of the day

Salary/Benefits

$60,000-$63,000 plus benefits, commensurate with experience. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and a week of agency-wide closure between the Christmas and New Year holidays), 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, an annual cost of living increase, a 457B retirement plan and up to $4,000 per employee of professional development support. With time, benefits grow to include up to 6 weeks of vacation, 80% coverage of employee health and dental insurance costs and availability for a 3 week sabbatical.

UTEC also stresses the importance of work-life balance and offers several wellness opportunities including additional time off (i.e. for the past two years we have closed at 3pm on Fridays during the summer months), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first time home buyers, parental leave, bereavement supports and unlimited free coffee!