Teen Center Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $54,900.00 - $85,100.00 Annually
Location : Saint Monica Teen Center 15 North Tarboro Street, Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00646
Department: PRCR - Recreation
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Hiring Range: $54,900.00 - $70,000.00
Work Hours: This position works at a community center that is open 7 days a week. Flexibility is required.
Job Description
Make a meaningful difference in the lives of teenagers by creating engaging recreation experiences that promote personal growth, leadership, creativity, connection, and positive development. This dynamic role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering innovative programs, special events, and community partnerships that reflect the diverse interests, needs, and aspirations of teens while managing the daily operations of the St. Monica Teen Center. The St. Monica Teen Center Program Analyst will foster a welcoming and safe environment where teens feel valued, connected, supported, and empowered to reach their potential. This position will build meaningful relationships with teens, families, schools, community organizations, and other partners to expand opportunities for teen engagement and development.
If you are passionate about working with teenagers, building community, and using recreation to create positive experiences and opportunities for young people, we encourage you to apply!
About You:
Our ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, dependable, and community-minded professional who is passionate about working with teens and creating meaningful recreation experiences. They are strong relationship builders who enjoy connecting with teens, earning their trust, and creating an environment where they feel safe, valued, and supported.
Building on those relationships, the ideal candidate is a creative thinker and problem solver who can understand the changing interests and needs of teens and translate them into innovative, engaging programs and experiences. They are adaptable, collaborative, and organized, with the ability to balance program development, staff leadership, facility operations, and community partnerships.
Ultimately, the ideal candidate is passionate about positive youth development and committed to creating opportunities that help teens build relationships, develop leadership skills, explore their interests, and reach their full potential. They bring energy, creativity, and a genuine investment in the success and well-being of the teens they serve.
About Us:
Our department is all about creating vibrant, inclusive, and exciting programs that connect our community to recreational opportunities! As part of the City of Raleigh, you'll join a team that values creativity, collaboration, and innovation while working in a supportive and dynamic environment. This is more than just a job, it's a chance to inspire, empower, and connect with people, especially our youth and teens, in meaningful ways. If you're ready to be part of something impactful and rewarding, we can't wait to welcome you to our team!
Work Hours:
This position works at a community center that is open 7 days a week. Flexibility is required to be available for staff meetings, facility events and providing coverage to part-time staff.
Please note: this application requires a resume and cover letter to be submitted. We would like to kindly remind you that all written submissions (including your cover letter, resume, and any additional materials) should be your original work. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as automated writing generators, to complete any part of your application or interview process is strictly prohibited. Submissions that appear to be AI-generated may result in disqualification from the application process.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Develops, leads, and manages innovative programs, camps, after-school activities, workshops, special events, and other recreation opportunities designed to engage teens and support positive youth development.
• Coordinates and facilitates teen programming in collaboration with other Raleigh Parks program areas, City departments, schools, community organizations, and contracted partners to expand opportunities and create meaningful experiences for teens.
• Oversees the daily operations of the St. Monica Teen Center, including program schedules, staffing, participant registration and attendance, facility rentals, program logistics, and evaluations. Ensure programs and activities are delivered safely and effectively while maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment.
• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate part-time and seasonal staff while establishing clear expectations and a collaborative team culture.
• Operates and drives the 24-foot enclosed Mobile Recreation Unit (MRU) to support teen programming, community events, outreach initiatives, and mobile recreation opportunities at locations throughout the community. Ensure the vehicle and equipment are operated safely and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Provides leadership and supervision of staff, including developing work schedules, assigning responsibilities, providing training and coaching, monitoring performance, and creating a positive team environment focused on high-quality teen engagement.
• Oversee facility operations and safety, including facility inspections, work order submissions, emergency response, safety compliance, staff training, and risk management. Responds to facility-related concerns and ensures the SMTC remains a safe and well-maintained environment for teens and staff.
• Manages program and facility-related administrative and fiscal responsibilities, including budgeting, purchasing, payroll, revenue and expenditure tracking, data reporting, registration, and program evaluation.
• Build strong relationships with teens and families by providing exceptional customer service, responding to concerns, soliciting feedback, identifying barriers to participation, and using community input and program data to improve services and expand opportunities.
• Ensures established behavior management guidelines and procedures are consistently followed, supporting staff in addressing behavioral concerns appropriately and maintaining a safe and positive environment.
• Develops and maintains community partnerships with schools, youth-serving organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and other community stakeholders to increase teen engagement, provide specialized programming, and connect teens with resources and opportunities.
• Leads community outreach and engagement efforts to increase awareness of SMTC programs and services, expand participation, and ensure programming reflects the evolving interests, needs, and experiences of Raleigh teens.
• This position requires the ability to safely operate and transport program participants, equipment, and materials using a variety of City of Raleigh non-CDL vehicles. Vehicles may include, but are not limited to, cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, passenger vans, cargo vans, and minibuses. The incumbent should be comfortable driving vehicles of varying sizes and configurations as apart of daily job responsibilities.

Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Leisure Activities, Physical Education, Sports/Athletics, Therapeutic Recreation or related field; 1 to 3 years' experience in recreation program/activity and/or special event implementation, marketing, coordinating, or related work
OR
Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Licensing and Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in teen programming, recreation, youth development, community engagement, or education
• Valid North Carolina Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE)
• CPR/First Aid/AED certified or the ability to obtain certification

Additional Information
Knowledge Of:

• Youth and teen development principles, positive youth engagement, and developmentally appropriate practices
• Recreation and teen center operations, including program planning, facility safety, participant supervision, and risk management
• Community resources, schools, nonprofits, and partnership models to expand teen opportunities
• Program evaluation, attendance tracking, participant feedback, and data-informed service improvement
• Modern office practices and procedures including the basic use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, databases, and spreadsheet applications

Skill In:

• Staff supervision, coaching, scheduling, and team leadership
• Effective written and verbal communication with teens, families, staff, partners, and stakeholders
• Facility and program coordination, including logistics, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and event execution
• Problem-solving, behavior management, conflict resolution, and sound judgment in dynamic situations
• Technology and administrative systems, including recreation management software, Microsoft Office, and data tracking tools

Ability To:

• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with teens, families, staff, and community partners
• Create a safe, welcoming, organized, and engaging teen center culture while managing multiple priorities
• Engage teens through innovative programming while supporting leadership, autonomy, and self-expression
• Work independently, make timely decisions, respond appropriately to incidents, and collaborate with the Teen Programs team
• Coordinate facility logistics, schedules, transportation, partner use, equipment, and resources to support successful operations
• Maintain confidentiality

ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor setting. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment or in a vehicle.
Work Exposures:
Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
When you join the City of Raleigh's work family as a full-time employee, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future.
To find out about the City's benefits package, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page: https://raleighnc.gov/services/jobs-and-volunteering/pay-and-benefits
The City employs temporary and seasonal employees who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits.
01
Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Some high school
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• PhD or other professional degree

02
How much relevant or comparable work experience do you have in recreation program/activity and/or special event implementation, marketing, coordinating, or a related field?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 to less than 9 years
• 9 to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

03
Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License Class C or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Driver's License.
• I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 60 days of hire.

04
If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), please indicate which class. (If you do not have a CDL, please select N/A.)

• Class "A"
• Class "B"
• N/A

05
Please describe your experience working directly with teenagers or young adults. Include the types of programs, settings, or populations you have worked with.
06
What interests you most about serving as the Program Analyst of St. Monica Teen Center, and what do you believe you would bring to the position?
07
St. Monica Teen Center must provide a welcoming environment while also maintaining structure, safety, and