YOUTH & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Description

YOUTH & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Youth Services Department

Full time (37.50 hrs. per week) /Pay Grade 7 - $77,825.00

Cleveland Public Library strives to be the driving force behind a powerful culture of learning that will inspire Clevelanders from all walks of life to continually learn, share, and seek out new knowledge. The successful applicant will be a self-directed professional with a strong work ethic, a collaborative work style, and the skill set to thrive in a welcoming service environment for patrons and staff.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Manager of Youth Services & Family Engagement will provide strategic leadership in developing and managing education-focused initiatives, family engagement programs, and community partnerships that align with CPL’s mission and strategic priorities. This position will oversee the Family Engagement Team while collaborating with internal departments, community organizations, and educational institutions to ensure CPL remains a leader in literacy and youth development.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field required. Masters in education preferred.

Experience:

1. Five years of experience leading a team toward organizational growth in education.
2. Five years of experience supporting family engagement initiatives that promote academic excellence and/or social-emotional learning.
3. Three years of experience managing afterschool programs and/or student enrichment initiatives.
4. Three years of experience leading literacy programs or initiatives.
5. Three years’ experience working with personal computers, online tools, resources, databases, and group meeting platforms required.

Technical Expertise:

1. Strong understanding of youth development, curriculum planning, and community engagement strategies.
2. Experience managing budgets, grants, and program funding to ensure sustainability and impact.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to diverse audiences.
4. Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate effectively with schools, educators, families, and community organizations.
5. Strong organizational skills, collaboration, and a passion for literacy and family engagement initiatives.
6. Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
7. Experience in coordinating literacy, youth, and family engagement programs.
8. Strong communication and presentation skills.
9. Ability to analyze and track data to inform programming decisions.
10. Experience in budget management and familiarity with grant compliance preferred.
11. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
12. The ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
13. Read, understand, and communicate information and ideas presented in writing.
14. Experience working with all levels within an organization is required.
15. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials prepared and reviewed are complete, succinct, and free of errors.

Certifications: Driver’s License.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS:

1. Attendance: Adhere to Library attendance and work schedule policies. Flexibility to travel as required.
2. Collaboration: Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Work in a complex institutional structure requiring significant collaboration.
3. Communication: Read, understand, and communicate information and ideas presented in writing. Listen to, understand, and communicate information and ideas.
4. Customer Service: Determine and meet customer needs. Work effectively with external entities and the public.
5. Initiative: Work independently with minimal supervision.
6. Positive and Enthusiastic Attitude: Be courteous and respectful.
7. Quality of Work: Effectively manage time to meet operation needs and desired outcomes and plan and organize the steps to implement new projects. Adhere to Library work rules, procedures and policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
8. Reliability: Consistently perform required duties.
9. Teamwork: Work as part of a team and work effectively with persons and communities from diverse cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds.
10. Must have reliable transportation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Evaluation of this position is based primarily on performance of the following essential functions, which include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Strategy

1. Provide visionary leadership in the development and execution of innovative family engagement and youth literacy programs that align with educational best practices.
2. Develop and implement strategic plans for Youth & Family Engagement, ensuring alignment with CPL’s overall mission and priorities.
3. Lead and manage the Family Engagement Team, providing professional development, coaching, and mentorship to enhance team effectiveness.
4. Strengthen CPL’s role as a leader in literacy and education by developing collaborative initiatives with local and national organizations, schools, and government agencies.
5. Serve as a key liaison between CPL and educational institutions, advocating for library services that support student success and community literacy efforts.

Education & Program Development

1. Design, implement, and oversee evidence-based family engagement initiatives that support early literacy, K-12 education, and lifelong learning, with a focus on the Science of Reading.
2. Lead professional development initiatives for Youth Services staff, equipping them with the tools and training needed to effectively support literacy and educational programming.
3. Develop and oversee Cleveland Reads initiatives, including major events such as the Family Fall Festival, High School Readiness Night, and other literacy-focused community engagements.
4. Work collaboratively with the Early Childhood Specialist, Youth Services Manager, and external education partners to develop innovative learning opportunities for children and families.
5. Oversee the creation of culturally responsive programming that meets the diverse needs of Cleveland’s communities.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

1. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local government agencies to expand CPL’s impact in youth education.
2. Represent CPL at community and education-focused events, speaking on behalf of the library’s efforts in youth engagement and literacy.
3. Develop and deliver high-impact presentations and reports for internal and external stakeholders to showcase the success and impact of CPL’s education initiatives.

Operations & Evaluation

1. Work closely with Finance and ER&D teams to ensure that YSFE budgets, grants, and programs meet funding requirements and financial protocols.
2. Establish data collection and evaluation systems to track program effectiveness, measure impact, and inform decision-making for continuous improvement.
3. Ensure CPL’s education initiatives align with state and national literacy benchmarks, supporting the academic success of children and families.
4. Perform other duties as assigned.

Recruiter: Althea Johnson

Posting Open Until: 4/30/2025