Youth Outreach & Program Coordinator - Milwaukee

The WRTP/BIG STEP Youth Outreach & Program Coordinator is actively engaged in planning and implementation of youth programming, pre-apprenticeship programming, career exposure and exploration activities, supporting and providing direction and operational support for all in-school youth, out of school youth and emerging adults within the greater Madison area, with responsibility for the outcomes and performance. The Youth Program & Outreach Coordinator often serves as the liaison between staff, community, agencies, schools and school districts, and funders and will serve as the primary point of contact for students and families.  This position reports to the Milwaukee Region Director.

Implementing

• Assist with development and implementation of all the Milwaukee area youth-related programming including coordinating program deliverables, outreach to funding agencies, and alignment of curriculum and industry certifications.
• Provide direct outreach, recruitment, selection of program participants, coordination, oversight of curriculum, testing, and other programming as necessary.
• Continual career development and evaluation for training graduates.
• Communicate with partner agencies and organizations, recruiters, and case managers to provide eligible candidates with a clear understanding of goals, requirements, and opportunities.
• Be an active advocate for Youth Apprenticeship, Career & Technical Education, and Work Based Learning.

Planning & Coordinating

• Maintain an updated plan for high school students.
• Provides leadership, guidance and training for staff and youth.
• Create schedules, timelines, and detailed outlines.
• Tracks and documents program sessions with sign in sheets, detailed notes, photos, & any other means deemed appropriate.
• Monitors program activities; reviews, prepares and submits program reports; to any funding agencies supporting this program
• Continuously improve the format of youth trainings.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with leadership of youth organizations and local school districts.
•  Collaborate with staff, instructors, and management to conduct effective orientation and recruitment sessions and provide quality customer service to all participants.
• Coordinate with local school districts, high schools, teachers, guidance counselors, and CTE staff.
• Facilitate Youth Advisory and Parent Advisory committees, including outreach events.
• Process and track inquiries from the WRTP/BIG STEP website and social media referrals.

Evaluating

• Monitors contractual outcomes, assists in reporting, and communicates with leadership.
• Ensures that initiatives, policies, and processes are effectively delivered, communicated, and monitored.
• Evaluate program effectiveness to develop improved methods.
• Provide feedback to and input in the annual development of Youth Work Plan and ensure all work throughout the year is responsive to and in coordination with the Youth Work Plan.
• Develop and track youth related metrics from the ETO database in conjunction with Excel spreadsheets to provide accurate data in regard to progress towards identified program goals.
• Participate in professional development and training.
• Evaluate, organize and connect youth and families to resources.

Instruction

• Observe and support partner sponsored classes and events.
• Always provide active supervision of youth on-site, in the community.
• Instruct participants periodically on soft skills and industry related topics.
• Prepare supplies & materials for Club activities.
• Document accidents and behavior incidents as necessary.

Administration, Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Proctor Accuplacer exams.  Enter scores in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database,
• Track youth-related metrics from the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database in conjunction with Excel spreadsheets to provide accurate data regarding progress toward identified program goals.
• Assisting with special projects as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of all agency files/records, business lists, and contractual agreements.
• Provide coverage for colleagues when needed.
• Perform other job-related duties that are necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position and/or the organization.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or related certifications.
• Bi-lingual preferred.
• Preferred experience working with workforce development, and/or knowledge of the skilled trades, apprenticeships, and training programs.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Previous experience working with federal and state-based programming such as FSET, WIOA, and other DOL and DWD job training programs is desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of standard computer programs, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new systems.
• Project management experience favorable, utilizing planning and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks to ensure projects get to completion.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to work comfortably with a wide range of customers, in both group and individual settings in a calm, respectful, and professional manner always.
• Understanding others challenges and barriers and the ability to adjust and provide guidance to help participants achieve their career goals.
• The ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of customers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team is necessary.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Self-starter: able to multi-task while also being highly detail oriented.
• Some knowledge of implementing urban youth programs and training.
• Knowledge of construction industry and State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship system helpful but not required.
• This position requires the ability to regularly sit and write at a computer, stand, and lift less than 20 pounds to stock office supplies, frequently move from room to room to accommodate guests, use a telephone, and use a computer equipment to generate input and output and transmit data.

Personal Attributes

• Follow the WRTP|BIG STEP Code of Conduct.
• Resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures of the program, agency and of all funding sources.
• Conduct self in an ethical manner.
• Ability to relate to young people AND keep a professional distance a must.
• Role model a positive attitude and provide affirming feedback and positive reinforcement to youth.
• Must be grounded and organized and yet flexible and open to the changing demands of a small organization.
•  Willing to step into tasks as needed and requested by WRTP|BIG STEP leadership.
• Maintain professional, respectful, inclusive and equitable treatment and relationships with staff, participants, and all external persons and agencies involved with WRTP|BIG STEP and its partnering agencies.
• Demonstrates commitment to the WRTP|BIG STEP mission, vision, and values.

Work Relationship

• Reports to the Milwaukee Region Director.
• Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including, but not limited to staff, partnering agencies, federal and state-based contractors/vendors, unions, employers, and members of the community and must have the ability to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships, engaging others to leverage resources to achieve goals and an entrepreneurial approach.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a direct service environment on and off site.
• Travel within Wisconsin and as required for education events, etc. The employee might be required to work in outside environments, occasionally during periods of inclement weather
• Will work with a diverse population and may include youth, recently released individuals, individuals facing barriers.
• 40 hours per work week.  Work hours may vary depending on organizational needs and will include some evenings and Saturdays and will occasionally need to flex hours by starting and ending later.

WRTP/BIG STEP is an equal opportunity/ADA employer.  All federal, state and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans or disabled veteran’s status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference.  Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.  WRTP/BIG STEP encourages applications from all the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups.

Benefits

• Health Insurance - Employer pays 85% health premium
• Dental and Vision Insurance (single or family) – 100% Employer paid
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance – 100% Employer paid
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance – 100% Employer paid
• 10 vacation days after 90 days of employment and up to 9 personal days annually
• 14 Paid Holidays annually
• 10% of monthly salary contributed to retirement accounts
• Position Description: Represented, Exempt
• Hours: Full time, 40 hours/week
• $20 - $25 per hour, based on experience