Title: Youth Engagement Specialist

Classification: Full-time, Seasonal, grant and contract funded
Salary Range: $35,600-$38,000
Location: Cleveland, OH
Schedule: This position will work Monday-Friday from either 9:00 am – 5:00 pm or 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. When your direct report advises or when school is not in session, you will report to the downtown offices. Schedule includes periodic evening/weekend/early morning hours connected to Cleveland Play House (CPH) and school-based needs.
Reports to: Director of Out of School Time Learning and Associate Director of Out of School Time Learning

Supervises: School-based partners, volunteers, and hourly staff

Cleveland Play House’s mission is to inspire, stimulate, and entertain diverse audiences across Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. We believe in the importance of theatre education to the well-being of young people and the community that is its mission to serve. We use it to bond community with community; to bolster our knowledge of ourselves and others; to amplify our artistic awareness as participants and practitioners.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES: Our Out-of-School Time Learning program creates, strengthens, and maintains the bridge between the CMSD partner school, parents, community-based providers, and surrounding neighborhoods. We purposely harness the power and skill sets of professional artists to creatively solve problems identified with the community, to strengthen collaborations between community organizations, to bridge communications between school administration and social service and government agencies, to strive in the creation and development of safe spaces where all can thrive.

The Youth Engagement Specialist designs and supervises the implementation of Out-of-School-Time programs and extended learning opportunities.

The Youth Engagement Specialist forges new partnerships and provides leadership for the collaborative process and development of a continuum of in-school and out-of-school time services such as arts enrichment, academic enhancement, health for children, families, and community members within the school neighborhood. The Youth Engagement Specialist functions as a neutral facilitator in the provision of services from a wide variety of community agencies and Cleveland Play House.

The Youth Engagement Specialist identifies, engages, and assists families and students in creating strategies to overcome obstacles to students’ success. The Youth Engagement Specialist works in partnership with the school staff to design plans to give students support throughout the school day and afterschool, whether it is academic, social, or behavioral.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Creating and continuously improving a child-centered OST program informed by the child’s school and community experience. To accomplish this objective, the Youth Engagement Specialist will:

· Promote and model CPH’s educational pedagogy: Creating an anti-racist, safe, positive, and trauma-informed school that is culturally competent and creative.

· Develop trusting relationships with CMSD school site, staff, families, and community. The Youth Engagement Specialist serves as a liaison between school staff, community partners, and service providers.

· Work with the school’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) to connect the needs of students with the appropriate community partners and resources.

· Organize and run a selective small group tutoring sessions weekly, focused on literacy, that align with the academic needs of students.

· Design and run the OST program, including the implementation of program schedule, supervision of staff and community partners, and communication with caregivers.

· Identify and creatively solve problems and eliminate barriers to student success.

· Coordinate and arrange for child and family services to increase knowledge and access, including food pantries, community closets, and agencies that help with other basic needs such as housing and clothing.

· Daily communications with all stakeholders for the OST program including partners, parents, students, volunteers, and school staff.

· Weekly communications with school administrators, community members, potential new enrollees and their parents, CPH Compliance Officer, Education Associate for Partnerships and Programs, and the Director of Community Development.

· Actively participate in professional learning as mandated by direct supervisor.

· Develop and enhance parental involvement in the school.

· Collaborate with the Compliance Officer to ensure that all data collection and submissions meet the requirements of FERPA, HIPAA, Ohio Department of Education, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, maintaining full compliance and timely submission.

· Actively research for grants, funding, and in-kind opportunities and free services to ensure program sustainability.

· Act as an advocate and represent CPH in the best way possible in public spaces for all programming at CPH including conferences, public events and school communities.

· Perform other related duties as assigned, to support the evolving needs and objectives of the organization.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

· Exhibit a strong commitment to working with educators and young people.

· Excellent verbal and written skills; excellent management skills.

· Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

· Must be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver culturally competent service.

· Must be sensitive to cultural differences and able to incorporate that understanding into service provision.

· Understanding of trauma-informed care practices.

· Ability to communicate effectively and timely with all key stakeholders including school staff, hourly staff, community partners, and families.

· Ability to satisfactorily complete required background screenings.

· Strong artistic skills include creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical problem solving.

· Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

· Maintain professional appearance and uniform guidelines.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

· Minimum high school diploma

· Certification in CPR at the level of Basic Life Support or Professional Rescuer, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen Administration and associated- determined safety training required within 30 days of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

· Minimum 2 years working in a licensed childcare program.

· Previous experience WORKING with diverse populations preferred.

· Minimum 1-year experience working with Microsoft office products.

· Minimum 1 years' experience with all ODJFS licensing procedures and Step Up to Quality requirements preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

· Willingness and ability to be a mandated reporter for any signs or suspicion of child abuse and neglect. All employees are required to follow the child abuse and neglect reporting process: completion of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect reporting form, calling children protective services (696-Kids) and notifying your immediate supervisor, branch executive, risk management and human resources department (s).

BENEFITS

· Health insurance, to which CPH contributes 85% of the employee’s premium (Health insurance available for employee’s family at employee cost).

· Employee life and long-term disability insurance.

· 10 vacation days, 9 paid-time off days, 7 company holidays, and 2 discretionary holidays.

· Optional enrollment in a 401(k) plan (not matched by CPH).

· Parking is available at employee cost.

Cleveland Play House is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where artists and employees are valued for their talent, contributions, and diverse perspectives. We ensure that our hiring, casting, and workplace policies are based on merit, collaboration, and fairness and approached with respect. Our focus is on fostering creativity, access, excellence, and professional growth for all who engage in our work, in accordance with all applicable laws.