ORGANIZATION MISSION
Our mission is to bring out the limitless potential in young leaders through extraordinary experiences and nurturing relationships.
POSITION MISSION
To design and oversee an exceptional and progressive teen and Leaders-in-Training (LT) program that empowers PEAK’s oldest participants to engage deeply with their community, step into authentic leadership roles, and grow their potential. Additionally, foster lifelong connections to PEAK through purposeful volunteer coordination and a robust alumni network.
REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Director of Teen & Community Programs reports directly to the Executive Director and supervises a team of three, including a program manager and two coordinators, responsible for high school and community programming.
As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director will help shape the vision for PEAK’s programs and drive the strategy to realize that vision.
POSITION AVAILABILITY
This is a full-time, exempt position requiring occasional evening and weekend availability to support year-round out-of-school programming. The role also oversees overnight, trip-based programs, lasting up to five days.
Due to the nature of PEAK programming, limited time off is granted during the summer, compensated by organization-wide shutdowns at the end of summer and before the New Year, outside of the standard PTO allotment.
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
Program Leadership
- Oversees and supports the development, design and delivery of all community-based, leadership training (LT), and high school program initiatives while ensuring that the objectives of each are aligned with the organization’s mission, goals, values, and desired youth outcomes. This includes developing curriculum, managing program logistics and evaluating programs. Ensures program curriculum is well defined and matches PEAK’s expectations for quality, consistency, and progression.
- Participates in recruitment and training of seasonal Lake Valley Camp staff for the LT Program and provide support to camp counselors who are working with teens in the camp setting and/or during off-site expeditions.
- Supports and leads the planning of retreats and trip-based programs hosted both in Milwaukee, at Lake Valley Camp, and other sites.
- Works collaboratively with the Director of Youth Programs and the Director of Lake Valley Camp to ensure that the program curriculum is well defined and matches PEAK’s expectations for quality, consistency, and progression based on PEAK’S program logic models across programs and locations.
Community Engagement
- Develops and implements, with the support of the department, a strategic alumni engagement plan that fosters long-term relationships with former participants, creating opportunities for continued involvement with PEAK.
- Develops and implements, with the support of the department, a comprehensive volunteer engagement program that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to allow for meaningful engagement from PEAK alumni, community members, families, etc.
- Oversees impactful summer community drop-in programs based at the PEAK Program Center through PEAK@Tief Community Camp that address the needs and interests of the local community. Identify local partnerships to strengthen these experiences.
Participant Engagement
- Develops strong rapport with participants and community members. Identifies the most effective, innovative, and efficient ways to serve youth and families via the PEAK model.
Staff Management
- Supervises and supports program leaders and holds the Teen & Community Program Team to account for quality delivery. Ensures program teams are prepared and suited to deliver what’s expected and required in their area/s of focus. Responsible for fair supervision and evaluation of all Teen & Community Program staff members.
- Provides critical training and staff development opportunities for program team members under their supervision.
- Works collaboratively with Director of Lake Valley Camp & Director of Youth Programs to create and facilitate PEAK’s core program staff training sessions, for both annual and seasonal staff.
Recruitment & Retention
- Accountable for ensuring all Teen & Community Programs are enrolled & attended at full capacity.
- Serves as strategic lead for retention efforts to ensure a high retention rate throughout the LT program and for high school students outside the LT program.
Partnerships
- Develops and manages capacity building programs and community partnerships.
- Accountable for the development and effective management of high school partnerships for both program delivery and participant recruitment.
Outcomes, Evaluation & Reporting
- Responsible for ongoing program evaluation through satisfaction surveys and Program Quality Assessments and the continuous enhancement of programs. Ensure that timely data collection takes place to track participant outcomes and program impact.
- Responsible for ensuring all team members accurately track participant data, attendance, and relevant participation notes.
Financial & Budget
- Develops and oversees program budgets for all Teen, LT, and community programs.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Key team competencies: Resilience, Growth Mindset, Self-Management, Communication, Collaboration, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Problem Solving
- Align with and uphold PEAK’s Four Beliefs:
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- Every living being has inherent value.
- The community is better when everyone contributes.
- We can only grow when we’re honest about our mistakes.
- Everyone has the power to change their world.
- Belief that with the right support systems and involvement in high-quality program offerings all young people are able to grow and achieve.
- Preferably versed in the standards defined by the Forum for Youth Investment’s Program Quality Assessment, or similar standards, and able to competently train staff, evaluate programs, and oversee a quality improvement team using these standards as a foundation.
- Self starter with a track record of success in achieving organizational objectives, including the conception and implementation of new program initiatives and supporting sustainability for existing programs.
- Committed to developing others and building a goals-focused, highly skilled and high performing program team.
- Strategic thinker able to create a long-term plan and see it through. Understands and is willing to pivot and/or make incremental adjustments along the way to help ensure the success of the team and clients served.
- Calm under duress and able to make critical decisions in a quick and logical manner to minimize risk and to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and staff.
- Effective and efficient management and use of time; the ability to prioritize and attend to the most urgent and important matters and tasks.
- Able to define the required resources for optimal program delivery and manage those resources efficiently. Able to oversee the responsible creation and management of program budgets.
- Technologically savvy with the ability to learn systems quickly. Familiarity with Google Drive and client management databases is a plus.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Must have a driver’s license valid in the State of Wisconsin.
- Valid CPR and First Aid certification is required within the first 30 days of employment (PEAK can support in attaining).
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred– education, recreation, social work, public health, psychology, or other related and applicable fields preferred. May be replaced with significant demonstrated experience.
- A minimum of 5 years in progressively responsible roles in service to youth, families, community etc.
- Track record of success in designing, developing, and overseeing positively impactful experience-driven youth programs.
- Experience serving youth facing social and/or economic hurdles; comfort working with diverse populations and as a member of a diverse multidisciplinary team.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience (typical starting range for a director is $66,800-$83,500).
- Generous PTO package (starts at 17 vacation days & 6 personal/sick days, 10 organizational holidays, 3 personal holidays, and 2 weeks of organizational shut down each year).
- Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance package.
- Employer contribution to organizationally sponsored retirement fund (IRA, no match required).
- Monthly cell phone reimbursement.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
- Willingness and ability to travel locally in Milwaukee to meet with community partners and to observe programming. Willingness and ability to spend time at PEAK’s overnight camp, Lake Valley Camp in Boscobel, WI for staff training, supporting the program team, and for program quality observation. Willingness and ability to attend and lead overnight trip-based programs.
- Understanding that summer programming for PEAK is extensive and multifaceted and willingness to be present and fully engaged during this critical time.
- Must be comfortable working in an office/program center situated in the Milwaukee County Park and community we serve.
Additional Comments:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
To apply please visit: peakinitiative.bamboohr.com/careers