HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES

Job Description

MISSION STATEMENT:

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.

POSITION TITLE: Life Skills Program Manager

REPORTS TO: Director, Educational Services

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Life Skills Program Manager is responsible for day-to-day oversight of Homeboy’s life skills classes, including teaching Parenting classes and co-facilitating Project Fatherhood groups as part of our family reunification services. The program manager will also collaborate with staff and volunteers to develop core curriculum for Homeboy trainees as they move through our 18-month training program.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Oversee variety of weekly life skills classes: Homeboy 101, Parenting, Anger Management, Character Building, Building Positive Relationships, Project Fatherhood, Alternatives to Violence Project, Financial Literacy, Driver Training Preparation, etc.
Collaborate with Director and the Education Steering Committee to further develop psychosocial educational core curriculum for trainees.
Supervise volunteers who facilitate classes, assist with projects, etc.
Teach Parenting classes up to four times per week for Homeboy trainees and court-ordered community clients; follow up with clients on progress; correspond with social workers, courts, DCFS, and PO’s regarding client progress in classes.
Ensure department maintains accurate files and complete data for client attendance and progress; coordinate with department staff to ensure timely distribution of certificates of completion and progress letters.
In collaboration with grantor Children’s Institute, Inc. (CII), coordinate Project Fatherhood program at Homeboy: co-facilitate two weekly groups with CII clinical staff; do intakes with fathers interested in joining Project Fatherhood; provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to fathers in program; increase collaborative efforts with CII to grow program and services for Homeboy fathers and strengthen partnership; coordinate catered lunches for group meetings; supply necessary participant info to Finance as it pertains to monthly billing invoice; comply with all federal grant requirements.
Co-facilitate weekly Men’s Group meetings to help sustain male leadership team at Homeboy.
Co-facilitate Homeboy 101 classes up to two times per week, as needed; coordinate with agency staff to facilitate specific class topics (ie: mental health clinicians, case managers, etc.); evaluate effectiveness of class themes as they pertain to the personal growth and development of Homeboy trainees.
Collaborate with leadership staff to align monthly Trainee In-Service with Homeboy 101 themes.
Train and supervise trainees assigned to Educational Services department.
Provide mentorship to all trainees that directly supports the reentry process by serving as positive and responsive role model.
Provide strong day-to-day leadership and presence, while supporting an open-door policy.
Attend weekly department staff meetings to discuss progress and areas of need.
Meet with and provide monthly reports to Director.
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION:

M.A. (preferably in Adult Education or Social Work field) and 5+ years’ experience working with gang population and/or in correctional setting.
Trained as Parent educator.
3+ years’ experience teaching adult population.
3+ years’ supervisory and administrative experience.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

Capacity to manage and lead people; team builder; ability to connect with staff both on an individual and group level.
Capacity to hold team members and trainees accountable, develop and empower team from the bottom up, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of team so as to put people in a position to succeed.
Mission-driven person with strong work ethic; challenge seeker and problem solver; able to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation; can overcome resistance and take unpopular stands when necessary.
Ability to maintain strong professional and personal boundaries, while still providing mentorship to individuals, as needed.

Experience working with diverse adult population with varying learning styles.
Ability to build rapport, and to develop and maintain a safe, interactive learning environment.
Ability to work in shared office with fast-paced environment and frequent interruptions.
Detail oriented with excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills.
Proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and FileMaker Pro.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

COMPENSATION:Salary to be negotiated depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position with a benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and retirement account.

Homeboy Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to apply

Please send cover letters and resumes to mgillette@homeboyindustries.org. No phone calls please.