Programming Support Coordinator

Job Title: Programming Support Coordinator

Reports to: Lead Programming Support Specialist

Type: Full-Time 

Category:    Programming

Background on UTEC, Inc.

UTEC’s promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC’s outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth where they’re at. UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs and provides mental health services and intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

UTEC is committed to its vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which pledges to honor the lived experiences and expertise of individuals; create community and celebration of cultures; challenge all forms of oppression; and embody a culture that leans into discomfort and recognizes it as a growth opportunity. UTEC is dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practice, the health, mental health, and overall well-being of young adults and staff and to creating an environment that supports work-life balance and the individual and professional growth of all.

Job Summary

The Programming Support Coordinator is a member of UTEC’s Programming team. The position supports proven-risk young adults, aged 17-25, as they learn basic workforce skills through programs such as culinary arts, catering, and food service in UTEC’s catering kitchen, UTEC’s woodworking program, and the Organizing Crew. Seventy-five percent of the position will be hands-on, coaching and supervising young adults in the various programs, while twenty-five of the position will be dedicated to planning, collaborating and meeting with other staff within the organization, and data entry. 

The ideal candidate is passionate about youth work, positive youth development approach and teaching/facilitating curriculum. The Programming Support Coordinator works closely with all Instructors, Program Managers and TCs. UTEC also provides transportation to young adults from the Merrimack Valley area to programming sites in Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill. This role will be responsible for safely transporting youth from various sites to their programming location utilizing a UTEC owned van. The role will also support programming by delivering meals to young adults at various site locations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supports multiple areas of the program as needs arise- is able to support Transitional Coaches, Program Managers, Instructors and Educators in areas identified by the team.
• Implements curriculum and coverage plans when Instructors and Program Managers are out and communicates progress to staff when they return.
• Exemplifies youth work best practices to young adults and colleagues.
• Teaches and enforces basic standards of safety and UTEC’s Standards of Accountability inside and outside UTEC.
• Coaches and encourages positive young adult progress and upholds program expectations.
• Works in tandem with other UTEC departments and programs, including HiSET and Case Management, to best support young adults involved in the program.
• Tracks and inputs young adult attendance, daily activities, and data into Quickbase (UTEC’s performance management database).
• Supports the development of young adults so that they can progress to the next stages of the program and eventually complete the program.
• Implements social-emotional and social justice curricula to support the development of young adults towards personal and career goals.
• Supports with leading and supervising enrichment activities when coverage needs decrease.
• Maintains a positive work environment with high standards in engagement and expectations.
• Provides transportation when needed:
  • Arrive to pick up and drop off locations on time.
  • Provide daily transportation to UTEC youth throughout Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell neighborhoods.
  • Providing a safe and positive environment for all young adults in the van
  • Communicate with staff any concerns/potential conflict that would help the team prevent any future incidents.
  • Ensure all UTEC rules and policies are followed in the van.
  • Ensure van is properly cleaned and maintained after each trip.
  • Ability to fill out incident reports as necessary.
  • Engage young adults in healthy topics of conversation and build positive relationships with each young adult.
  • Collaboratively creating/adjusting pick and drop off routes.

Required Skills/Abilities 

• Facilitate curriculum and activities in group settings.
• Working knowledge and understanding of young adult development. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven relationship builder, and has the ability to build relationships with both program participants and colleagues.
• Support YAs in connecting them to community resources.
• Ability to exercise self care processes, plus the ability to communicate boundaries and needs effectively to team members. 
• Ability to remain flexible, handling multiple work streams and pivoting when needed.
• Practices awareness and staying alert - while supervising proven-risk youth, while driving, etc.
• The following skills are preferred, but having a strong willingness to learn the following is a must:
  • Knowledge of career readiness skills, workforce programs, and/or social enterprises.
  • Knowledge of and experience in teaching social-emotional skills with an anti-racist lens
  • Strong knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks and/or practices
  • Knowledge of restorative justice, de-escalation, and mediation practices

Education and Experience

• At least 1 year of working with young adults (17-25) required; 1-2 years of experience strongly preferred. This can include professional experience as a youth worker, programs with justice-involved youth, young adult education, or other similar backgrounds.
• Prior experience supervising youth or training staff is preferred. Staff management experience is a plus.
• Experience with operational duties pertaining to running a program is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• A commitment to, or strong willingness to learn, UTEC’s values around DEI and Restorative Justice.
• Experience and/or familiarity with Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill communities.
• Ability to perform other duties or tasks as requested.

Physical Requirements

• Must have a valid, unencumbered MA driver’s license and a good driving record with no moving violations in the last 6 years.
• Must have at least 5 years of driving experience.
• Reliable access to a vehicle and means of transportation to work.
• Able to travel as needed.
• Ability to safely drive 15 passenger van throughout Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Salary/Benefits: This is a full time position with an hourly pay rate of $25/hour plus benefits. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and a week of agency-wide wellness closure between the Christmas and New Year holidays), 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and health, dental and vision insurance. We also offer life insurance, first time homeowners support, an annual cost of living increase, a 401-K retirement plan, a $1,200- $1,800 annual wellness fund, and professional development support. With time, benefits grow to include up to 6 weeks of vacation, 80% coverage of employee health and dental insurance costs and availability for a 3 week sabbatical. 

UTEC also stresses the importance of work-life balance and offers several wellness opportunities including additional time off (i.e. for the past two years we have closed at 3pm on Fridays during the summer months), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first time home buyers, parental leave, bereavement supports and unlimited free coffee! See more about our benefits here. 

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.