Program Director, Service Projects

Application Instructions

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Number of Positions: 1

Compensation: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Annually Commensurate with Experience and Location

Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/Remote

Position Overview

Why you are here
You love people — not just meeting them but helping them grow. You believe that building community isn’t fast or transactional, it's intentional, dynamic, and transformational. You understand how powerful it is when young people feel seen, supported, and inspired. You are passionate about physical space and our community actions reflecting our values.

At City Year, you’ll make a tangible impact on the LA community, creating vibrant schools and bringing joy to our student scholars. Unlocking the potential of our community and connecting across public and private spheres to meet critical needs for students in under-resourced schools.

We are an incredibly collaborative team that thrives on fun – this is your chance to train the next generation of leaders that will be change makers for the better.

You will collaborate with the head of AmeriCorps Member Experience, Program, and Fundraising teams to create service projects that infuses resources into LA schools, creates connections with AmeriCorps members (ACMs), schools, and funders expanding City Year’s visibility.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

• Project Manage all phases of 15-25 physical service events (murals, gardening, light construction), ensuring positive experiences for volunteers, AmeriCorps members, funders, and community partners.
• Coach, manage, and train an entry level team of young professionals (6-10 AmeriCorps Members that are 18-25) to ensure strong execution of service event projects.
• Train & lead teams on technical project skills including how to trace, paint, and build projects. Background in arts or light construction nice-to-have. Training provided.
• Build and manage partnerships with schools and stakeholders to secure event sites, maintain relationships, requirements, and coordinate schedules to support smooth, scalable project delivery.
• Collaborate across CYLA departments and with external partners to deliver events that strengthen relationships with donors, corporate partners, schools and the community for fundraising, partnership development, and mission impact.

Compensation: $70,000 – $80,000 annually commensurate with experience

Must-Have Qualifications

• 4-6 years of work experience in event management and/or project management.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, plan-ahead, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced diverse team environment.
  • Strong written & oral communication skills: especially presenting complex information to a group.
• At least 3 years of management experience with strong track record of results:
  • Setting high expectations and holding self and team accountable for performance goals
  • Developing diverse talent through performance plans, reviews and leadership opportunities
  • Using progress and outcome data to inform team management.
• Strong track record in building and maintaining productive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Open to flexible hours that include late evenings and weekend work.
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children
• Reliable means of transportation and a valid Driver’s License.

Physical Requirements

• Move about the office or school campus as needed throughout the workday 
• Lift and carry materials and supplies up to 25 pounds 
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk around for extended periods
• Have sufficient vision to read printed materials, a computer screen, and observe service projects 

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Project Management training or certification.
• Painting and light construction experience is a plus.
• Experience working with editing software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, Lightroom, Canva.
• Reliable internet access for remote or flexible work arrangements.

How we work

• Based in LA with an average 3-4 in-person days per week.
• Regular travel across LA. Locations vary based on service projects.
• Flexible schedule and location based on role responsibilities.
  • Typical schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 6:00 pm or 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Some afterhours project prep from 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Some weekend day work with flex day during the normal week
• High trust, high standards — ownership early.
• Small team, big impact — every project helps shape the impact of City Year.

Responsibilities: Below is a detailed description of the job responsibilities.

Civic Engagement (CE) Program Leadership: CYLA’s volunteer engagement program that generates annual operating income through fee-for-service events.

• Lead and grow CYLA’s Civic Engagement program as a revenue-generating volunteer engagement platform, setting annual goals and ensuring the program delivers a positive return on investment while providing meaningful volunteer experiences.
• Lead planning, design, set-up, execution, and follow-up phases of all service events that include painting murals, gardening, and light construction at schools or community centers.
• Identify and secure schools and community centers for service events, and build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including school administration, and community leaders.
• Support the Senior Corporate Partnerships Director setting annual revenue targets and ensure that the CE program generates a positive return on investment while creating a positive volunteer experience.
• Serve as the lead contact with schools and districts to ensure all required paperwork is completed.
• In Collaboration with Sr. Corporate Development Director prepare and manage program budgets, track expenditures and provide reports to Senior Leadership Team to ensure management to budget targets.
• Determine the annual capacity of the Civic Engagement program and develop scalable systems that allow the program to grow sustainably.  
• Set the service day calendar in advance and ensure that all partners — internal, external, and school partners — are aligned, identified, and briefed well in advance.
• Manage purchase card expenses and submit invoices in a timely manner.

Returning AmeriCorps Member Hiring & Onboarding

• Create and execute a Project Leader recruitment process for interested AmeriCorps members, including interview process, selection planning, and participation in return applicant selection committee.
• Collaborate with the AmeriCorps Member Onboarding Committee to streamline communication and ensure a smooth transition for confirmed returning Project Leaders.
• Design and implement a comprehensive training scope and sequence to build corps members’ project management skills in planning and executing service projects (e.g. designing mural paintings and volunteer management) while deepening their understanding of the communities they serve.
• Partner with the Senior Program Director to ensure alignment with CE Team training and full corps training as well as Senior Corps cohort meetings.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and coordination of Service Ambassadors, a group of AmeriCorps members who support Civic Engagement service events.

Team Leadership & Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Project Leaders (PLs) by creating an environment of open and honest two-way communication, providing both positive and constructive feedback and coaching to support ACM professional development in the civic leadership competencies.
• Develop, manage, and coach Project Leaders, through ongoing one-on-one check-ins, formal performance reviews, and consistent implementation of the professional accountability system.
• Train and support Project Leaders ensuring logistical and operational plans are in place to execute service days.
• Regularly attend Program leadership team meetings and proactively identify opportunities for strategic collaboration to integrate the CE Team into the broader corps experience.
• Identify, develop, and facilitate trainings on project planning, technical project skills, volunteer management, customer service, and Civic Engagement operations.
• Ensure the team is well-developed, connected to their work, and aligned with CYLA’s mission.
• Review and facilitate quarterly data reviews to ensure strong CE team experience.
• Ensure compliance with AmeriCorps and City Year Los Angeles policies for service hours and program requirements.

Site & Department Support

• In collaboration with ProServe and Development team support the execution of CYLA’s milestone events – including Back to Service and Graduation as meaningful experiences that celebrate corps members while engaging donors, partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee CE team logistical support for Learning & Development Summits.
• Work with the AmeriCorps Member Experience Director to plan and execute site wide AmeriCorps Member recognition and appreciation activities.
• Serve as a cross-department liaison to ensure AmeriCorps Member compliance and program fidelity align with the goals of the Program & Service Team as well as the Development team.
• Partner with CYLA departments and staff through stakeholder engagement, event and service day participation, and cross-departmental committees as needed to ensure site-wide goals are met.
• Support the execution of site-wide goals through collaboration with program staff and leadership.
• Collaborate cross functionally to make shared decisions, set strategy, and develop work outputs.
• Support other department functions as needed.

Key Competencies:

In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:  

• Project Management: Creates work plans for complex projects by breaking down and sequencing work into manageable pieces. Evaluates resources and barriers and creates contingency plans to address potential risks. Consistently assigns work, tracks progress, and follows up in an organized and effective manner
• Managing Performance: Collaborates with team members to structure roles and goals to maximize team strengths and performance. Plans ahead for how to meet competing commitments and priorities, anticipates & addresses barriers. Continuously monitors team performance, holds team/direct reports accountable, and intervenes appropriately to motivate, coach, and remove barriers.
• Communication: Conveys thoughts clearly and concisely. Listens well and asks good questions. Communicates well verbally and in writing, tailoring communication for the audience and situation. Seeks to incorporate others’ views into work.
• Relationship Building: Experience building relationships that advance organizational goals. Able to balance own projects against the needs of others. Approachable and friendly. Actively seeks feedback and to understand other’s perspectives, interests, and concerns. Ability and desire to work with and promote young people ages 17-24 and a year of service.

• Problem Solving & Flexibility: Can be flexible and adaptable to schedule changes. Links problems & symptoms to identify issues, links decisions to potential consequences, knows when to seek guidance and gets diverse input for decisions.

• Desire to Learn: City Year has a unique service model and organizational culture.  Successful applicants have strong experience and a track record of success in the above areas but must be willing and eager to continue to learn. Demonstrate a willingness to work in a collaborative and strong team-based organization.

Benefits