Program Manager, Student Karma

About DOI

District Outreach Industries NFP (DOI) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of youth, young adults, and families who have been affected by trauma. Founded and led by Dori J. Collins, we believe healing must go beyond meeting immediate needs. It must address the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the whole person and the whole family. Through personalized support, evidence-based interventions, and deep community engagement, DOI empowers the people we serve to rebuild their lives with dignity, resilience, and optimism.

Rooted on Chicago’s South Side, DOI works hand-in-hand with schools, hospitals, victim service providers, faith institutions, law enforcement, and grassroots community partners to address not only the effects of trauma and violence, but their root causes. Our vision is a community where every family impacted by trauma has seamless access to the support they need to heal, and to thrive.

About Student Karma

Based in Chicago’s South Shore community, the Student Karma program provides structured and unstructured, trauma-informed youth development programming for high-risk early adolescents (ages 11–13). Through civic engagement and leadership development, life-skills building, positive educational supports, and social-emotional development, Student Karma works to strengthen protective factors and reduce the risk factors associated with firearm violence for the youth and families it serves.

Position Summary

District Outreach Industries (DOI) seeks an experienced, mission-driven Program Manager to lead the day-to-day operation, quality, and success of Student Karma, DOI’s Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) program, serving high-risk youth ages 11–13 across two South Shore program sites. The Program Manager combines strong managerial skill with a working knowledge of positive, trauma-informed youth development to ensure programming is safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with DOI’s mission, IDHS grant requirements, and operational standards.

The Program Manager supervises site-level staff and volunteers, serves as DOI’s primary point of contact for partner schools and families, and is accountable for program safety, compliance, data collection, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Program Oversight

• Develop, implement, and evaluate structured and unstructured youth development programming that meets the developmental needs of high-risk early adolescents (ages 11–13) and reduces risk factors associated with violence.
• Ensure programming aligns with DOI’s mission, operational standards, and the grant scope of work.
• Monitor program quality and adjust based on student needs and outcome data.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise Site Coordinators and volunteers across both sites.
• Foster a collaborative, motivated, and accountable team environment.
• Provide regular coaching, check-ins, and performance feedback consistent with DOI policy.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with school administrators, community leaders, and parents/guardians.
• Serve as the primary liaison on program impact, student progress, and community involvement.
• Represent DOI professionally at partner sites and in community settings.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure all program activities comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and with partner-site (e.g., CPS) requirements.
• Maintain a safe, adequately supervised environment and enforce child-safety, supervision, and emergency procedures.
• Serve as a mandated reporter under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5) and report suspected abuse or neglect as required by law.

Reporting and Communication

• Compile and quality-check participant data, case documentation, and program outcomes required for grant evaluation and program improvement.
• Support the assigned grant manager with the program’s monthly and quarterly performance and financial reporting to IDHS OFVP, meeting funder deadlines (monthly reports are due by the 15th for the preceding month).
• Support GATA and grant compliance, audit-readiness, and accurate participant eligibility documentation per the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

Organizational Collaboration

• Collaborate with DOI leadership on organizational initiatives, planning, and cross-program efforts.
• Support new initiatives, community activations, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, youth development, human services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in youth programming, education, or a related field, including at least 1 year in a supervisory or program-management role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of positive youth development and age-appropriate practice for early adolescents (ages 11–13).
• Proven ability to manage multiple sites, staff, and priorities.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with data collection and reporting; ability to compile accurate program and grant data.
• Ability to travel between program sites [reliable transportation / valid driver’s license — confirm].
• Ability to work an after-school schedule, including some early-evening hours and occasional weekend or community events.
• Successful completion of all required background checks and clearances prior to unsupervised contact with youth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within Chicago Public Schools or community-based youth programming, particularly in South Shore or comparable communities.
• Experience with trauma-informed or restorative practices.
• Experience serving high-risk, justice-involved, or violence-impacted youth, and familiarity with community violence intervention or the Reimagine Public Safety Act framework.
• Familiarity with IDHS or GATA grant-funded program compliance and outcome reporting.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Lived experience and strong ties to the South Shore community highly valued.

Clearances & Youth Safety

Because this position involves direct, ongoing contact with minors, employment is contingent on clearances required by the program’s IDHS grant. Under the grant, background checks are required for all program staff and volunteers who may have contact with youth under 18 and must be completed before working directly with youth; staff authorize the check in writing and submit to fingerprinting when required. In addition, the Program Manager is a mandated reporter under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5) and must complete DCFS-approved mandated reporter training. Additional clearances may apply by site, for any Chicago Public Schools–based site, CPS vendor/volunteer clearance is also required. Consistent with Illinois law and DOI’s equal opportunity policy, a conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises Site Coordinators and program volunteers across two program sites and serves as the primary operational leader for the Student Karma After-School Program. It reports to the Director of Parent Programs

• Health and dental insurance.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Professional development and leadership training opportunities.
• Opportunity to help lead a high-impact youth development and community empowerment program.

Bilingual Applicants encouraged to apply