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Teen Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Youth Development Director, the Teen Counselor plans, organizes all program activities at the Y Branch; ensures the safety of youth and teens who are participating in the ...

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Teen Program Director information

What is a Teen Program Director?

A Teen Program Director is a professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing programs and activities specifically for teenagers, often in community centers, schools, or nonprofit organizations. Their role involves assessing the needs and interests of teens, creating engaging and educational experiences, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. They also manage staff or volunteers, coordinate with parents and community partners, and handle budgeting and administrative tasks related to teen programs. The goal is to foster personal growth, leadership, and positive social interactions among teens.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Teen Program Director?

To thrive as a Teen Program Director, you need a background in youth development, program planning, and a relevant degree—often in education, social work, or a related field. Familiarity with youth management software, scheduling tools, and certifications like CPR/First Aid are typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills help engage teens and foster a positive, inclusive environment. These abilities ensure the creation of impactful programs that support teens’ growth and well-being while maintaining safety and program integrity.

What are some common challenges Teen Program Directors face when engaging diverse groups of teens?

Teen Program Directors often encounter challenges such as varying interests, backgrounds, and engagement levels among participants. Successfully engaging diverse groups requires adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and creative program planning to ensure all teens feel included and valued. Building trust and open communication with teens, as well as collaborating closely with parents, schools, and community partners, can help overcome these challenges and foster a positive environment where everyone thrives.

What is the difference between Teen Program Director vs Youth Activities Coordinator?

AspectTeen Program DirectorYouth Activities Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer a degree in education or recreationHigh school diploma; experience in youth activities often preferred
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, schools, non-profit organizationsRecreation centers, camps, after-school programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations focusing on teen-specific programsUsed broadly for youth programs including children and teens

The Teen Program Director typically oversees programs specifically for teenagers, requiring leadership skills and program planning experience. The Youth Activities Coordinator often manages a wider age range of children and youth, focusing on day-to-day activity coordination. While both roles involve working with youth in community or recreational settings, the Teen Program Director usually has more responsibility for program development and strategic planning for teens.

What are the most commonly searched types of Teen Program jobs in California?

The most popular types of Teen Program jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Teen Program Director jobs in California?

For Teen Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Teen Program Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Teen Program Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Teen Program Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Teen Program Director job openings:

Teen Program Director - Palo Alto

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

YMCA of Silicon Valley
Non-Profits • 1 - 5K employees

$78K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

The Teen Director will develop and provide leadership to our teen community to include Youth & Government (YG), Model United Nations (MUN), Leaders In training (LIT) Teen Leadership Councils, Middle School and High School Community Engagement, College Tours, and other Teen programs as defined.
This position will support association level work in various communities. This position will provide leadership for all teen programming including Youth & Government programs, Teen Programs and Camp, and MUN programs that support the needs of teens in Middle School and High School.
SALARY RANGE: $78,500 - $80,000/year
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Oversee Youth and Government & MUN program for the Y by supporting existing partnerships with schools, bringing in new partnerships, volunteers, and schools;
  • Provides leadership, design and deliver quality summer teen programs to be hosted at Y branches and in the community; including delivering workshops
  • Develops and manage the budget for Teen programs: Youth & Government, MUN and Teen programming
  • Design, implement, and evaluate innovative programs that meet the evolving needs and interests of teens
  • Provide leadership and direct supervision to teen program staff, including hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating performance
  • Build strong, supportive relationships with teens and their families, promoting inclusion and belonging
  • Ensure programs comply with safety, and organizational standards
  • Collect and analyze data to track participation, outcomes, and satisfaction; use findings to improve program quality
  • Act as a role model and mentor, maintaining appropriate boundaries and professionalism at all times
  • Support and fundraise related to teen and youth programming

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Visual and auditory ability to observe and to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency; Ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills; Ability to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Ability to climb, push, and pull; Ability to lift and carry objects up to 20 pounds.
  • Bachelor's degree preferred
  • Minimum of three years of experience working with teens and/or volunteers
  • Knowledgeable in civic engagement and social responsibility programs
  • Demonstrated experience in developing, facilitating, and evaluating teen programs
  • Preferred experience supervising a small team of staff

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader):
Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Y's values. Ensures a high level of services with a commitment to improving lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.
Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively customizes communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.
Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with framework for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high qualify results using a formal process to measure progress.
Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance.
  • Project management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide others
  • Passion for youth development, supported by relevant professional or volunteer experience
  • Self-motivated with a strong work ethic, excellent organizational abilities, and time management skills
  • Culturally competent and respectful of diverse backgrounds of youth and their families
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and dependable in completing tasks and meeting deadlines
  • Must be available on night and weekends
  • Bilingual (Spanish Preferred)