Program Specialist (REACH Dragon Boat Program)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides education, leadership development, behavioral health, intervention, street outreach, and workforce development services to San Francisco youth and their families. CYC envisions empowering young people to reach their highest potential as individuals and to develop a positive self/cultural identity. Our mission is to empower and strengthen a diverse population of high-need youth and their families by providing comprehensive youth development through education, employment training, advocacy, and other supportive services.

Title:                  Program Specialist (REACH Dragon Boat Program)

Salary:              $25-$28 per hour

Reports to:      Program Director 

Status:              Part-Time (20 hours/week); Non-Exempt

Position Description:

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Program Specialist is responsible for providing coordination, development and implementation of the Dragon Boat program at India Basin. The Program Specialist will create and lead a peer-to-peer mentorship model for youth in grades 7-12 and engage them in the Dragon Boat program which enables youth to become physically fit, develop lifelong healthy habits, build confidence, self-esteem and character. The program also aims to connect youth with teammates and peers to develop leadership skills, a commitment to civic engagement and bringing positive changes to their community. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct assessments to determine needs of the youth and their families.
• Provide individual and family case management and referral services.
• Ensure service linkages to mental health services including assessment and counseling sessions.
• Coordinate youth dragon boat team activities and provide coaching to team captains & youth team members. 
• Coordinate other enrichment activities and field trips as well as community service opportunities  
• Lead youth dragon boat training sessions at India Basin, focusing on improving health, fitness, and paddling skills.
• Organize weekday and Saturday practices during race season to prepare youth for competitive races in the Bay Area and Long Beach.
• Facilitate teamwork, discipline, and strategy development through on-water practices and fitness workouts.
• Incorporate individual Outrigger canoe boat training to enhance paddling technique and endurance.
• Ensure all practices follow safety protocols, including social distancing, while promoting youth engagement and development.
• Recruit parents for parent night meetings and build relationships with family.

• Develop cooperative relationships with school personnel, probation officers, parents and families, collaborative agencies and other service providers.

• Work in conjunction with other CYC programs to provide effective comprehensive services.

• Participate in training, team meetings and community meetings as necessary.

• Maintain accurate documentation and statistics on client services, and produce monthly reports for granting agencies.

• Support events, activities, and other projects that promote violence prevention and reduction in the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

• Other duties as assigned by the Management.

• Develop individualized practice plans.

• Support weekly life skills training workshops and paddlers of season support groups.  

• Attend Paddlers review meetings, and coaches meetings as required.  
• Support events, activities, and other projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related areas plus a minimum of one year of case management and/or coaching experience.
• Experience in conducting interviews and assessments with youth and parents.
• Experience in conducting workshops for youth and parents.
• Experience in working with diverse populations.
• Experience in coaching youth sports team.
• Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth, as well as English learners, to support their social and emotional needs during transition.
• Bilingual/bicultural in Chinese/other Asian language and English preferred.
• Knowledge of the San Francisco Juvenile Justice System.
• Ability to work as part of a team, prioritize tasks, and work independently in a high-pressure environment.
• Knowledge of community-based agencies serving youth in San Francisco.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with youth, parents, and probation officers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with enforcing safety protocols during youth sports activities, including water sports.
• Strong organizational and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.
• Able to lift or move at least 25 lbs.
• Commitment to adhering to health and safety protocols, including Covid-19 testing and social distancing guidelines during program activities.

CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.