Senior Program Coordinator

The First Star University of Miami Academy is a college-preparatory program for high school foster youth.  The Academy strives to keep youth on track for high school graduation, prepare them for higher education, and equip them with the skills to successfully transition to adulthood.  Academy students spend all four summers of high school living on the university campus (Summer Academy) and return 1-2 Saturdays per month during the school year (Saturday Academies).  While on campus, the youth attend academic classes, participate in life skills workshops, and explore life on a university campus. 

                The Program Coordinator plays a critical role in the success of the Summer Academy, since it serves as part of the summer leadership team, along with the Program Director and Assistant Program Director, to ensure a successful Summer Academy.  The Program Coordinator has a clinical or other relevant background to assist the team in implementing positive behavioral and trauma-informed strategies with youth participants, as well as serve as a liaison to caregivers and child welfare stakeholders.  The Program Coordinator cultivates appropriate behavior and helps to problem solve situations that arise; teaches social-emotional skills through athletics and other structured activities; serves as a liaison to the child welfare system; and encourages successful learning practices. The Program Coordinator is expected to work full-time while the youth are on campus.  This may include sleeping in the dorms at least twice per week. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in recreation, a camp setting or with youth in a group setting, preferred.
• Ability to work as a team member with Academy staff, Youth Coaches, and campus staff.
• Mature, responsible, friendly, enthusiastic, patient and willing to learn.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Ability to pass a Level 2 background check.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in implementing positive youth development and trauma-informed strategies
• Coordinate dates and times for Case Manager and caregiver visits to the UM campus, Therapy sessions and Court appearances by youth
• Supervise youth during Summer Academy activities, which may include classroom, off-campus activities, and meal and dorm times.
• Design and participate in select life skills workshops and team-building activities to teach social-emotional skills.
• Ensure compliance with the Academy’s and University’s code of conduct.
• Maintain positive relationships with Academy staff, university staff, and the youths’ caregivers and social workers.
• Prepare for and actively participate in staff training, meetings, and supervisory conferences.
• Model appropriate behavior for youth and others including appropriate interaction with peers and staff, productive study habits, cleanliness, punctuality, language choice, and personal representation.

Time Commitment

• Must attend 21 hours of training in June.
• During the summer, the Program Coordinator will be assigned a schedule that approximates a 40-hour work week. The schedule may include nights and weekends.

Compensation

• $25 per hour
• Some meals will be provided

General Staff Rules & Policies: 

• When on duty, the Program Coordinator is expected to live with youth in the dorms, and eat meals with them. No visitors are permitted to visit in the dorms, cafeteria, or classes, unless pre-approved by the Academy Director.
• The possession and/or use of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden during the Summer Academy, while with the youth or in the dorms.
• No smoking is allowed while with the youth, in the dorms, or in view of the youth.