Manager, Youth Development

Description

JOB OVERVIEW

Prospect Park Alliance seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and youth-centered Manager of Youth Development to lead the implementation and advancement of the Alliance's youth development strategy. Reporting to the Vice President, Public Programs & Volunteer Services, this position will develop and implement a comprehensive Youth Development Framework that establishes a shared vision, guiding principles, and pathways for youth engagement across the organization.

Building on a youth employment program that has served Brooklyn teens for more than 30 years, the Manager will oversee and strengthen opportunities that currently support approximately 40 high school students annually through the Alliance's flagship youth employment programs, the Park Youth Representatives and Woodlands Youth Crew, as well as internships with students from the SUNY and CUNY systems. Park Youth Representatives serve in public-facing roles focused on visitor engagement, environmental education, stewardship, and Brooklyn history, while Woodlands Youth Crew members gain hands-on experience in ecological restoration and park operations. Together, these programs provide meaningful work experiences that build skills, confidence, and connections to community and public service.

Working collaboratively with program managers across the Lefferts Historic House, Nature Programs, Landscape Management, People + Culture, and external partners, the Manager will strengthen and expand opportunities for youth employment, internships, workforce development, leadership development, career exploration, and college access while advancing alignment across the Alliance's youth-serving programs.

The Alliance's Youth Development Initiative seeks to expand opportunities for young people while strengthening pathways to college, careers, civic engagement, and community leadership. The Manager will cultivate strategic partnerships; evaluate program outcomes; identify growth opportunities; and help create clear pathways that connect youth to higher education and careers in environmental stewardship, public service, education, cultural institutions, conservation, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, skilled relationship builder, and effective program manager who is passionate about helping young people develop the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to thrive in college, careers, and civic life while contributing to the well-being of their communities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES

Youth Development Strategy & Program Coordination

• Partner with the Vice President, Public Programs. Vice President, People + Culture, and the Director, Landscape Management, to implement and advance the Alliance's Youth Development Framework, creating a coordinated approach to youth engagement, workforce development, and career pathways.
• Collaborate with Youth Program managers to strengthen alignment, share best practices, and identify opportunities to enhance participant experiences and long-term outcomes.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts that position Prospect Park Alliance as a leader in youth development, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.

Recruitment, Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Develop and coordinate recruitment strategies that expand access to youth employment, internships, apprenticeships, and workforce development opportunities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, workforce development agencies, employers, community organizations, and government partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines and career-connected learning opportunities.
• Represent the Alliance at community meetings, career fairs, conferences, and networking events, and cultivate relationships that advance the organization's youth development goals.

Youth Development Programming

• Coordinate initiatives that prepare youth for educational and career success through leadership development, career readiness, mentorship, college access, environmental stewardship, and workforce development experiences.
• Partner with program staff to ensure that youth participants receive meaningful, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate experiences that align with organizational goals and positive youth development practices.
• Identify opportunities to expand youth pathways through collaborative programming, internships, volunteer experiences, and career exploration.
• Program Evaluation & Organizational Impact
• Develop and maintain systems to monitor recruitment, participation, retention, and program outcomes, using data to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations that communicate program impact and support organizational planning, funding, and decision-making.
• Ensure youth development initiatives align with organizational policies, grant requirements, and applicable program standards.

Resource Development & Future Growth

• Partner with the Development team to identify funding opportunities, support grant development and reporting, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of youth development initiatives.
• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and evaluation processes that support the continued growth of the Alliance's Youth Development Framework.
• Help build the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure necessary to support the future expansion of the Alliance's youth development portfolio.

                                                        Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Public Administration, Human Resource Management or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, workforce development, higher education, or a related field
• Demonstrated success developing strategic partnerships with schools, colleges, community-based organizations, employers, government agencies, or workforce development organizations
• Experience coordinating or leading cross-functional initiatives, with the ability to build consensus and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders
• Experience designing, implementing, or expanding youth development, workforce development, career readiness, internship, apprenticeship, or pathway programs is strongly preferred
• Experience using data to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Experience supporting grant-funded programs, reporting requirements, or program evaluation is preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive youth development, with experience working effectively with diverse youth populations and community partners
• Previous experience supervising staff, interns, volunteers, or youth participants is preferred
• Valid New York State Driver's License and ability to travel locally as needed

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values: A passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences and embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion   
• Ethics & Integrity: Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty, and professionalism in all interactions
• Job Knowledge: Knowledge of HCMS technology and HR systems in addition to at least three or more of the following core people and culture areas: recruitment, career pathing, performance, learning, D.E.I.B., and employee engagement. An understanding of federal, state, and city compliance issues, regulations, and applicable employment laws impacting employers, employees, and the workplace. A strong commitment to quality and staying up to date on emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in the field
• Analysis & Reasoning: Skilled at analyzing a broad range of data to grasp issues, draw conclusions, solve problems, and drive results
• Planning, Organizing & Problem-Solving: Able to manage multiple projects effectively. Define tasks and milestones to achieve objectives and ensure the optimal use of resources to effectively solve problems and accomplish work objectives. Alerts others to possible problems in a timely fashion and knows when to seek support and direction from others to solve problems while offering possible solutions. Acts on solutions selected and decisions made 
• Relationship Building: A natural relationship builder with excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to think strategically and build constructive and positive working relationships with internal stakeholders characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect. 
• Communication Skills: Proficient written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information in a clear, culturally competent, and understandable manner. Demonstrates effective listening skills and openness to other people’s ideas and suggestions. 
• Decision-Making: Integrates broad knowledge of information sources, garners insight from abstract data that can be used to assess problems, and exercises sound judgment to make decisions. Thoroughly analyzes the impact of possible solutions and decisions and shares probable impacts based on experience. Is proactive in deciding the best course of action, anticipating likely outcomes or implications.
• Planning, Organizing + Problem-Solving: Meticulously well-organized with diligent attention to detail, ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and takes pride in consistently producing accurate, timely, and quality work products with minimal supervision. 
• Focus on Impact + Results: 
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others, and being a positive team contributor 
• Technology: Proficient with automated technologies that support the area of responsibility, including Paylocity, other people and culture technologies, G Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite 

TOTAL REWARDS (Compensation +Benefits)

• Job Grade: 4 (Front-Line Managerial and Skilled Professional)  
• Annual Salary: $75 - 85,000 (annual gross earnings) 
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• 20 Vacation Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Comprehensive Health Benefits offered, including: 
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Supplemental: Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits, AFLAC & Pet Insurance
  • 403b Contributions + 2% Employer Contribution

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is normally performed in a typical office environment but regularly includes time spent in park settings, schools, community sites, career fairs, workforce development events, and youth program locations.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively with youth, staff, partners, and the public through oral and written communication.
• Requires the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and program documentation and review materials for accuracy.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend events, career fairs, youth programs, and community engagement activities as needed.
• Ability to travel locally throughout New York City for meetings, recruitment activities, partnership development, and youth engagement opportunities.

Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together: Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders, and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions, and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.