YOUTH SERVICES COORD

About the Role

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is the largest human and social service funder in Chicago, serving approximately 400,000 vulnerable residents annually through seven program areas with a network of roughly 350 delegate agencies and an operating budget of $790 million.

The Youth Services Division supports Chicago’s young people through three portfolios: Enrichment (high‑quality afterschool programs that build life skills), Prevention & Intervention (targeted support for the most at‑risk youth), and Youth Employment (career readiness and employment opportunities for over 30,000 youth ages 14–24 each year).

Under general supervision, the Youth Services Coordinator develops, coordinates, and monitors programs and delegate agencies that provide positive activities for youth.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of program curricula and ensure youth have a clear pathway for career development.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and teams to integrate career education and experiential learning into the youth employment experience.
• Assist with the screening and orientation of prospective youth employment participants.
• Participate in the development of specifications for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), research best practices, and monitor RFP review processes.
• Provide ongoing program and contract support to a portfolio of delegate agencies, including site visits, developing corrective action plans, and facilitating meetings.
• Develop policies and performance standards to ensure consistent program quality and procedures.
• Provide assistance and identify resources for agencies that are not meeting program requirements.
• Analyze data to identify trends and prepare programmatic, compliance, budgetary, and ad hoc reports for management review using platforms such as Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, Cityspan, and Microsoft Forms.
• Prepare work activity reports on the status, progress, and effectiveness of programs.
• Design, lead, and conduct program and fiscal trainings for delegate agencies.
• Represent the department at conferences, community meetings, and interagency taskforce initiatives to discuss youth programming and services.
• Perform related programmatic and administrative duties as required.

Additional Duties

Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Schedule & Location

• Shift: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Address: 1615 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
• Division: Youth Services Division, Department of Family and Support Services

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or a directly related field plus three (3) years of community service experience.
• Associate’s degree in Social Sciences or a directly related field plus five (5) years of community service experience.
• Master’s degree or higher in Social Sciences or a directly related field plus two (2) years of community service experience.
• Seven (7) years of work experience in community service (no degree required).

Licensure & Certifications

• A valid State of Illinois driver’s license is required.

Desired Skills

• Previous experience with youth programs.
• Previous experience with grants management and budgets.
• Previous experience with youth organizations, external stakeholders, and building relationships.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate projects effectively.

Selection Process

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The candidate(s) whose qualifications best match the responsibilities, as assessed during the oral interview, will be selected.

Application Requirements

• Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter.
• All written materials must be attached at the time of application; failure to attach required documents will result in an incomplete application.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Salary: $82,644
• Benefits information is available at the City of Chicago Benefits Office website.