Urban Roots Senior Manager for Youth Programs

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager for Youth Programs (SMYP) supervises all of Urban Roots’ year-round food and farming youth leadership programs for young people ages 13-23 (The Food & Leadership Fellowship Program, Advanced Leadership Internship, South Austin Internship, and Summer Farm Program), and oversees all curriculum and program design for these programs. As the operational lead of the youth program team, the SMYP will work closely with the youth, farm, and volunteer teams as they plan, prepare, and facilitate these internships while supporting other farm and program activities.

Urban Roots is an Equal Opportunity Employer that offers positions with varying skill levels and responsibilities that amplify our mission. We strongly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQiA+ identifying people, people of marginalized genders, people with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak, read or write a language in addition to English.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the execution of Urban Roots’ youth and young adult programs: budgeting, project planning, resource allocation, and coordination of team members to ensure high quality experiences for participants and achieve program outcomes.

• Supervise program staff: including two Program Coordinators and a Program Manager, providing support and feedback through regular 1x1 meetings and performance reviews.

• Evaluate, Update, and Manage Urban Roots’ youth program curriculum: Oversee program design to deliver the highest quality experience for program participants while achieving program outcomes, including leading the process of updating existing program curriculum and program design to better reflect the Urban Roots mission and vision.

• Oversee Youth Recruitment Process: Manage the execution of all recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of a diverse youth cohort to participate in all Urban Roots programs each year.

• Support facilitation of youth program activities when needed: This includes facilitating workshops and trainings, motivating and working alongside youth during farm work, supporting youth during volunteer days and community events, serving alongside youth during community service trips, and supervising youth throughout the work day.

• Oversee Youth Transportation Coordination: Work with program team, operations, and other colleagues to plan, coordinate, and manage youth transportation needs.

• Model Urban Roots’ values and community standards for all farm guests with a spirit of joy and mutual respect.

• Step in When Needed to Support Program Staff: If needed, can step in to lead community members through agricultural tasks on the farm during staff-led volunteer days and transport youth to and from work days and other events using Urban Roots’ 12- and 15-passenger vehicles when needed.

• Steward Alumni: Build and steward relationships with Urban Roots program alumni through regular alumni events, social media (alongside the Communications team), and other communication channels.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• We are looking for you if:

• You are an amazing people manager with proven experience supporting diverse teams of passionate people to achieve success, including creating a culture of inclusion and joy, navigating conflict with grace and compassion, and coaching and supporting others to achieve their professional goals;

• You love designing learning experiences for young people that empower them to grow and develop as leaders and humans;

• You have experience designing an educational curriculum and are excited about how to build and layer experiences to reach an educational outcome;

• You have a knack for helping people around you get things done, with planning, communication, and accountability;

• You are energized by working in a high-energy, outdoor environment and have a sincere interest in using your own hands to grow food for the community;

• You possess supreme organizational skills and the proven ability to manage people and projects with patience and grace;

• You are committed to justice and sustainability, have a great sense of humor and view yourself as someone still learning and growing.

Qualifications and Personal Characteristics:

• Two or more years of professional experience supervising and managing diverse teams

• Three or more years of professional experience working with young adults or teens from diverse backgrounds in youth development, education, or other group-based youth services

• Demonstrated professional experience developing curriculum and/or youth programs, including experience with assessment or program evaluation

• Able to work weekends and some evenings

• A valid government-issued driver’s license and proof of liability insurance

• Able to lift up to 40 lbs. and work outside in all kinds of Central Texas weather conditions

• The position does not require prior farming knowledge or skills, but a sincere interest in and openness to learning.

• Bilingual English and Spanish skills are a strong plus.

Other Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the Senior Manager will be expected to:

• Occasionally work long hours with some evenings and weekends (that time can be flexed);

• Attend Urban Roots’ functions and special events;

• Attend and participate in all-staff, team, and other meetings as needed;

• Attend and participate in occasional all-staff farm work days;

• Communicate and exchange accurate information in a variety of formats, including in person, electronically, and over the phone; and

• Operate a computer efficiently and accurately.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary: $55,000 - 57,000 (Exempt)

Benefits:

• Significant employer contribution toward health insurance benefits coverage (health, dental and vision)

• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Time off: 120 hours per calendar year of paid time off (PTO), prorated according to start date; 15 paid holidays, which include your birthday and the work days between Christmas and New Year's Day.

• Extras: A fun and flexible work culture and farm fresh vegetables to take home!

HOW TO APPLY:

• Candidates should email their applications to jobs@urbanrootsatx.org

• Use the email subject line “Senior Manager application.”

• REQUIRED: A PDF of your resume and a cover letter that briefly answers the following:

  • What excites you about Urban Roots’ mission?

  • How does your experience prepare you for the responsibilities outlined in the job description?

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The application period closes on July 30, 2023. We will review applications on a rolling basis. This position is available immediately and will remain open until filled. Because of our work with youth, we will conduct background checks on final-round candidates before we finalize the employment offer. We will not accept phone or walk-in inquiries regarding the position.