The Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) is a frontline civil rights organization led by people with disabilities that advocates to eliminate discrimination, isolation, and segregation. Our mission is to enhance the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities through advocacy, information and referral, peer support, skills training, PCA, and transitional services.
Position Summary: The Youth Services Program Manager oversees BCIL’s Youth Services, including the Transition to Adulthood Program, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and initiatives aimed at strengthening youth-focused programming. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality service delivery, maintaining thorough and accurate records, and supporting the growth and impact of BCIL’s youth programs.
The Program Manager plays a key role in cultivating relationships with funders, students, schools, parents, and other service providers to advance program development and outcomes.
This is a fully in-person position, requiring a consistent on-site presence to: support and train youth team members through direct collaboration, maintain a regular in-school presence to oversee programming and foster strong communication with educators, engage with BCIL senior management, and interact with youth participating in meetings, trainings, and internships at the office.
Essential Responsibilities:
The Youth Services Program Manager manages a dynamic program serving youth with disabilities in Greater Boston by performing the following essential responsibilities:
1. Participate as a member of the BCIL Management Team.
2. Oversee orientation and professional development of youth team members:
Manage orientation scheduling for new youth team members, including ensuring shadowing opportunities with experienced team members.
Assist with the development and coordination of ongoing training opportunities, especially in areas related to the adaptation of teaching methods and materials to accommodate the diverse learning needs of youth.
3. Supervision and Quality Assurance:
Supervise the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Coordinator; supervise 2 to 3 Youth Transition Advocates under the Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP); supervise up to 2 staff interns as appropriate.
Periodically conduct quality assurance checks on youth services records to ensure compliance with funders’ standards.
Periodically conduct on-site observations of services being delivered by BCIL youth team members in schools; provide feedback and implement corrective action as needed.
4. Manage Relationships with MassAbility (local and regional offices), schools and community partners:
Serve as primary contact for BCIL Youth Transition Services.
Plan, implement and document outreach efforts targeting school administrators and educators, community collaborators, and families.
5. Report preparation:
Prepare (or oversee the preparation of) monthly statistical and narrative reports, as well as incidental reports requested by funders.
Track and aggregate demographic data on populations served; track key metrics on contract deliverables; gather and report on qualitative program information illustrating individual or programmatic successes and challenges.
6. Program outreach:
Initiate and follow up on outreach efforts to key players in the community.
Ensure BCIL’s presence at annual youth transition resource fairs and conferences.
Coordinate presentations to schools, parents, and other youth related community organizations as requested.
7. Delivery of service to consumers:
a. Receive TAP referrals from educators and parents; complete intake and assignment of referred students.
b. Manage the scheduling of TAP services to school-based student cohorts and one-to-one remote sessions.
c. Provide direct youth transition services (TAP and/or Pre-ETS) to a limited number of school groups and individual students.
d. Oversee the planning, promotion and implementation of BCIL’s Summer Youth Program consisting of workshops and community outings. Participate in delivery of these services.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in education, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, or other human services field and/or relevant independent living experience.
Member of the population to be served or extensive experience working with the population to be served.
Commitment to independent living principles is essential. Demonstrated ability to set clear, professional boundaries, and to work creatively and effectively with a wide variety of people to achieve internal systems improvements and build community partnerships.
Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent listening skills.
Experience working with youth in school or employment settings is a plus.
Bi-lingual skills are a plus
Equipment Operated:
Computers, copiers, scanners, printers, and other office equipment/programs. Proficiency with various mobile devices and applications.
Working Environment:
This is a five day per week in person/in office position. The office area is a shared workspace. Verbal communication can be heard from other staff at adjoining desks. Zoom meetings will need to be coordinated with office workers. May include occasional evening and weekend hours for participation in outreach events.
Hours
40 Hours – Full Time
Benefits:
2 weeks paid vacation (increases with length of service)
2 personal days
13 holidays
12 sick days
Medical, dental, vision insurance (75% paid by company)
Short-term disability, long-term disability, group life insurance (100% paid by company)
Optional FSA medical and dependent care accounts, critical care insurance and additional life insurance available (employee paid).
403b retirement account available.
Salary: $55,000-$60,000 depending upon experience; additional salary for relevant bilingual abilities.
Email cover letter and resume
BCIL is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation is provided as needed for employees and other affiliates. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) checks are part of BCIL’s standard procedure.