Chicago Youth Programs

Chicago Youth Programs

Washington Park Program Consultant

Position Title

Washington Park Program Consultant

Organization

Chicago Youth Programs (CYP)

Position Type

Independent Contractor / Program Consultant

Reports To

Program Director and/or designated Washington Park Program Leadership

Position Overview

Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) is seeking a Washington Park Program Consultant to support the successful operation, facilitation, and engagement of CYP's Washington Park youth programming.

The Washington Park Program Consultant will work closely with CYP staff to co-facilitate program activities, engage youth and families, support a positive program environment, strengthen attendance and retention, and help ensure that participants receive a consistent, high-quality experience.

This position is highly community-facing and requires someone who can build trusting relationships with youth, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners while helping CYP deliver its mission at the Washington Park site.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Co-Facilitation

• Co-facilitate daily and weekly CYP program activities alongside CYP staff.
• Assist with implementation of academic, enrichment, STEAM, recreational, leadership, mentoring, and other youth development activities.
• Help prepare program spaces, materials, supplies, and activities before programming begins.
• Support staff in maintaining a structured, welcoming, and engaging program environment.
• Encourage youth participation and positive engagement throughout programming.
• Assist with transitions between activities and help maintain an organized program schedule.
• Provide additional facilitation support during special events, field trips, workshops, and community activities.
• Step in to support program staff when additional facilitation or supervision is needed.

2. Youth Engagement & Relationship Building

• Develop positive, respectful, and consistent relationships with CYP youth.
• Serve as a trusted adult and positive role model for participants.
• Encourage youth to participate fully in programming and activities.
• Help identify youth needs, concerns, interests, and barriers to participation.
• Support conflict resolution and positive peer interactions.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive, and youth-centered environment.
• Communicate concerns regarding youth behavior, safety, or well-being to appropriate CYP leadership.

3. Family Engagement

• Build positive relationships with parents, guardians, and caregivers.
• Serve as a consistent point of contact for families when appropriate.
• Communicate program schedules, activities, expectations, and updates.
• Follow up with families regarding attendance and participation.
• Help identify barriers that may prevent youth from consistently participating.
• Connect families with CYP staff or community resources when additional support is needed.
• Represent CYP professionally when interacting with families and community members.

4. Attendance & Retention

• Monitor youth attendance and engagement at the Washington Park site.
• Follow up with families regarding repeated or extended absences.
• Assist CYP staff in identifying attendance and retention challenges.
• Support outreach efforts designed to re-engage youth who have stopped attending.
• Maintain accurate documentation of outreach and participant engagement.
• Help create a culture that encourages youth to attend consistently and remain engaged.

5. Community Engagement

• Maintain a visible and positive presence within the Washington Park community.
• Support outreach and recruitment efforts for CYP programs.
• Help build relationships with schools, community organizations, residents, families, volunteers, and other partners.
• Represent CYP at community events and activities when requested.
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen CYP's presence and relationships within Washington Park.

6. Program Environment & Youth Support

• Help maintain a safe, welcoming, organized, and youth-friendly program environment.
• Support appropriate youth behavior and positive group dynamics.
• Assist with resolving minor conflicts and escalating significant concerns to CYP leadership.
• Follow all CYP policies, procedures, safety requirements, and confidentiality standards.
• Respond appropriately to participant or family concerns and seek leadership support when necessary.

7. Program Administration & Documentation

• Assist with enrollment and participant tracking.
• Maintain accurate attendance and participation information.
• Document relevant family and participant interactions.
• Provide program updates and observations to CYP leadership.
• Assist with program reports, surveys, evaluations, and other documentation as requested.
• Communicate emerging program needs, challenges, and opportunities to the Program Director.

8. Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with CYP program staff, volunteers, interns, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, program planning, and site coordination when requested.
• Communicate effectively with the Washington Park team.
• Support the implementation of CYP's program goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist with program needs as they arise.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with children, youth, families, or community programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience facilitating groups, activities, workshops, or youth programming.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with youth and families.
• Strong community engagement skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Dependability, professionalism, and strong follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic program environment.
• Commitment to youth development and the mission of Chicago Youth Programs.
• Cultural responsiveness and an understanding of the Washington Park community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment.

Education: A high school diploma, college experience, or relevant professional/community experience is preferred. Equivalent experience working with youth and families may be considered.

Core Competencies

The Washington Park Program Consultant should demonstrate:

Youth Development – Ability to connect with, encourage, and positively influence young people.

Facilitation – Ability to co-lead engaging and structured activities.

Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with youth, families, staff, and partners.

Relationship Building – Ability to establish trust and maintain positive community relationships.

Reliability – Consistent attendance, punctuality, preparation, and follow-through.

Problem Solving – Ability to recognize challenges and work with staff to identify solutions.

Professionalism – Represents CYP and its mission positively in all interactions.

Community Commitment – Demonstrates respect for and investment in the Washington Park community.

Schedule & Compensation

Position Type: Independent Contractor

Compensation: $17.00 per hour, consistent with the current Program Consultant agreement.

Schedule: Schedule will be determined based on Washington Park programming needs and mutually agreed upon by CYP and the consultant.

The consultant may be asked to support program sessions, special events, community activities, meetings, and other approved program activities.

Confidentiality & Professional Standards

The consultant is expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding participant, family, staff, and organizational information and comply with applicable CYP privacy and confidentiality requirements.

The consultant must maintain professional boundaries, follow CYP policies and procedures, and promptly communicate significant participant, family, safety, or program concerns to appropriate CYP leadership.

Success in This Position

Success in this role will be demonstrated by:

• Consistent and effective co-facilitation of Washington Park programming.
• Strong relationships with youth and families.
• Increased youth engagement and participation.
• Support for improved attendance and retention.
• A safe, positive, and organized program environment.
• Strong communication with CYP staff and leadership.
• Positive community presence and relationship building.
• Accurate program documentation and follow-through.
• Consistent support of CYP's mission and program goals.

About Chicago Youth Programs

Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) works to improve the health and life opportunities of at-risk youth through a comprehensive approach aimed at developing their capabilities.

The Washington Park Program Consultant plays an important role in helping CYP deliver that mission directly in the community by creating meaningful relationships, supporting youth development, and helping ensure that every young person experiences a safe, supportive, and engaging program environment.

Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) believes that it takes a long term investment to help Chicago’s most vulnerable youth escape poverty. As a result, CYP offers a full array of programs and services that support the health and wellness, social emotional, academic, and college and career readiness needs of young people from birth thru age twenty-five. To meet our mission, we endeavor to retain youth involvement year over year, resulting in an average of eleven years of participation by the time our youth graduate high school.