The Choice Program at UMBC provides mentoring and advocacy services to young people throughout the state of Maryland. We utilize an anti-racist, community-based, family-centered approach in order to promote high quality outcomes for young people and families. We engage in a collaborative process of service where young people set goals for themselves and are held accountable by supportive adults along the way. Our approach to youth development is grounded in applied critical race theory and culturally-responsive, trauma-informed practices. We strive to become an anti-racist organization grounded in several core values: holistic development, belief in humans, dismantling hierarchies, and youth-centeredness.

The associate director will collaborate with other leaders and community partners to achieve two primary goals: high quality, high impact workforce development programs and job opportunities for young people (ages 8-24) in Baltimore City and to reduce the number of Black and LatinX young people in the juvenile legal system throughout the region.

Under general direction of the deputy director, the associate director of Choice Jobs plans, directs, manages and oversees the operations of The Choice Jobs Program, including three social enterprise locations in Baltimore City. The incumbent coordinates assigned activities both internally with members of leadership teams to ensure continuity of programming with youth, as well as externally with community-based and institutional partners.

Specific duties include:

Leadership

• Collaborates with others to create, maintain, and advance an organizational culture that is rooted in accountability, equity, and the upward mobility of all members of the Choice community including young people, AmeriCorps members and staff.

• Represents Choice Jobs on committees and boards locally, regionally, and statewide.

• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with service providers, government agencies, funders, and employers to create pathways that will enable young peoples’ opportunity for employment success and career growth. 

Development 

• Ensures the long-term health and sustainability of Choice Jobs.

• Participates in a network of like-minded workforce experts who are community to increasing job opportunities and reducing systemic barriers to success, especially Black and LatinX young people.

• Manages grants and reporting processes related to job-specific funding in partnership with deputy director and director.  

• Leads engagement and integration of Choice Jobs community advisory board.

• Supports proposal writing to secure funding in partnership with the deputy director.

Programming

• Manages the strategic planning process for Choice Jobs programming, ensuring alignment with UMBC’s and Shriver’s strategic plan.

• Responsible for  the operations of three social enterprises: café at University of Baltimore School of Law, kiosk in Inner Harbor, and stand at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

• Oversees the team’s development high quality, high impact vocational programming, including the use of tools and processes to measure program effectiveness using an abolitionist, anti-racist conceptual framework.

Personnel

• Supervises Jobs Program assistant directors and ensures high quality supervision of placement coordinators, AmeriCorps members, and youth employees.

• Collaborates with other organizational leaders to facilitate the equitable recruitment, hiring, and retention of Jobs AmeriCorps members and staff.   

• Oversees training and curriculum that is grounded in anti-racist management principles. 

This is a senior level management position responsible for complex decision-making involving the oversight and direction of The Choice Program's job training program, including three social enterprise locations. The incumbent is a member of two leadership teams within the organization.

• Bachelor's degree
• Three years (five preferred) direct practice with youth in need of supportive services
• Two years supervisory/administrative experience
• Valid Drivers license
• Personal transportation

A background check will be required.  

Upload a cover letter, resume, response to a grant writing prompt and contact information for three professional references.  

UMBC offers a benefits package for regular and grant-funded regular employees including generous leave, excellent health, life, and disability insurance, retirement plans, tuition remission, on-site preschool, and numerous professional development and wellness opportunities.  Contingent II positions may include some benefits. 

Please note the Type and FLSA Status above to determine the benefits offered for this position. 

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.