Program Coordinator, Pathways Program

Job Title – Program Coordinator, Housing

Reports to – Director of Housing

Status – Full-time, Non-Exempt

Organization Overview

United Friends of the Children empowers current and former foster/justice involved youth on their journey to self-sufficiency through service-enriched programs, advocacy, and consistent relationships with a community of people who care.

Founded over 40 years ago, United Friends’ is a leading provider of youth development services to current and former foster youth in Los Angeles County. Through its housing and education programs, the organization has helped thousands of young people imagine and actualize their own dreams and futures. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and empowerment by prioritizing a whole-person-development approach. Through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) model, we center building relationships with youth over an extended period to achieve greater outcomes. Around those relationships, United Friends wraps an array of supportive services to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. As a result of services, United Friends alumni have greater housing and economic stability, higher educational attainment and a stronger sense of community and emotional wellbeing.

Position Overview

Pathways is a low-barrier to entry housing program that provides intensive case management and support services to transitional aged-youth (TAY), ages 18-24. The Pathways program utilizes the Housing First Approach in which, assertive engagement with our youth is essential to ensure youth are aware of and participate in a myriad of resources and supportive services offered by the program. Reporting to the Director of Housing, the Program Coordinator is a central point of contact and support for the program, ensuring alignment with department objectives and goals. The PC is the liaison for other essential department functions, such as finance and contract compliance. The PC is responsible for organizing and coordinating day-to-day administrative needs to ensure its smooth execution.

The ideal candidate will have a keen understanding of best practice service models, such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and social justice positive youth development. Specific knowledge related to transitional aged youth experiencing housing instability is a plus.

United Friends currently implements a hybrid work environment – schedule is determined at the discretion of management and the needs of the program and/or agency. As a full-time non-exempt employee, the Program Coordinator will work standard business hours Monday-Friday and may work weekends and/or evenings as necessary. The full-time non-exempt employee will report to the downtown office at least twice a week, and to the housing sites as needed.

Duties and responsibilities

Administrative Support

• Support with administrative tasks, such as scheduling meetings, managing calendar, responding to calls, and taking meeting notes.
• Respond to inquiries about the program and redirect to appropriate staff.
• Gather data for report preparation using appropriate tools and methods.
• Input and track program expenses.

Program and Activities Coordination

• Lead and facilitate event committees to plan and execute successful youth activities.
• Main contact for external partners to coordinate events, resources, or donations for team or youth.
• Support in tracking and maintaining the inventory for the food pantry and clothing closet.
• Maintain organized and accurate youth files, and upkeep program filing.
• Support management to maintain updated program documentation.
• Prepare check requests and process invoices and payments related to program expenses.
• Carry out routine purchases to support program needs and requirements (e.g. grocery gift cards).

Program Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Enter data and monitor accurate use of Apricot and HMIS databases.
• Identify and report potential compliance risks or vulnerabilities.
• Understand and adhere to program’s contractual, ethical, and legal responsibilities.
• Coordinate and facilitate preparation for internal and external audits in accordance with contract requirements.
• Prepare reports for management to monitor quality assurance of required data entry and documentation.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

General United Friends Responsibilities

• Act as a role model within the organization to uphold and implement United Friends’ organizational values:
  • Embrace program evaluation that leads to excellence and impact
  • Build effective and empowering partnerships with the youth, community and each other
  • Create a fun and exciting environment that inspires learning and innovation
  • Communicate openly, honestly and with humility across all groups
  • Work together as one organization
• Staff hold a commitment to:
  • A culturally responsive Trauma-Informed Approach to our population and client centered advocacy
  • Strong knowledge of the communities served and centralize this cultural understanding into the work.
  • Support in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
  • Evaluating the completeness, accuracy and relevance of data to determine information value and improve client services.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.
• 2+ years of administrative experience.
• At least 1 year of experience gathering and analyzing data.
• Strong verbal and writing skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.
• Brings a positive and respectful attitude.
• Demonstrate the ability to be creative, flexible, and organized.
• Ability to establish and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• High level of personal responsibility and accountability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Drive, and data management systems.
• Knowledgeable of trauma-informed and client-centered advocacy
• Understand the communities served and centralize this cultural understanding into the work
• Passionate about United Friends’ mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a non-profit setting