Senior Program Specialist - Special Programs

The Program Specialist is primarily responsible for facilitating and managing the day‑to‑day logistics of a portfolio of 20‑25 high‑quality programs through regular site visits, performing program observations, and providing actionable recommendations to enhance program quality, safety, compliance, instruction, attendance, enrollment, and retention, as well as addressing other critical areas.

• Employee Instructors and Program Providers
• Provide direction to community and campus liaisons and ensure compliance with program requirements
• Annual operating budget responsibility: $1M

• Oversee and ensure high‑quality of all programs within portfolio;
• Build and maintain a high‑quality program portfolio that includes after school, daytime, weekend, and school break programs.
• Track and analyze program data to identify trends, address challenges, identify program supports needed, and implement strategies that maximize participation and retention in programs
• Assist in the recruitment process of program staff, oversee the selection of returning programs, identify new program providers, and ensure compliance with portfolio benchmarks
• Assess program quality and compliance and provide program budget and portfolio reports and recommendations to Program Manager
• Conduct regular program site visits for each program in portfolio and make recommendations for Youth Program Quality Assessments
• Manage ASM instructors from recruitment to providing ongoing coaching to instructors, ensuring they have the resources and training necessary to deliver high‑quality programming
• Co‑lead facilities meetings and maintain regular communication with Facilities Management re: building cleanliness, organization, repairs, space reservations, improvements, security, safety drills, food service, etc.
• Establish, communicate, and uphold building expectations (entry/exit, food/drink expectations, no gum, appropriate attire, etc.)
• Address teen behavioral incidents by facilitating mediation, conducting parent/guardian follow‑up, documenting incidents, and recommending appropriate next steps, including escalation in alignment with organizational policies and safety protocols
• Provide leadership for designated program sites when the Senior Program Manager is not available.

• Act as the primary contact for instructors, community/campus liaisons, and school staff for programs
• Assist in developing and implementing effective teen recruitment and retention strategies for branch programs
• Plan, schedule, organize, and conduct all assigned meetings with partners, instructors, community, and campus liaisons each session
• Submit incident reports and follow‑up on next steps, including conducting thorough follow‑up on incident reports, and addressing concerns raised by instructors, community‑based organizations, schools, and sites with support from Program Manager

• Coordinate community outreach efforts, including attending events and meetings (e.g., aldermanic meetings, police district beat meetings, library meetings) to promote programs and recruit participants, securing locations for programs
• Gather feedback from community members and partners to create new programs, continuously improve existing programs and address the needs of the communities served
• Other duties as assigned.

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams
• Demonstrated experience managing facility and program operations
• Excellent organizational skills and problem‑solving abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills; ability to collect and maintain information as needed
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Ability to multi‑task and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Respect for all levels of the organization and outside partners
• Energetic team player who works well in collaborative situations
• Strong orientation to customer service

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum…