Iowa - Youth Leadership Project Manager

Job Title: Youth Leadership Project Manager

Location: Remote

Reports to: Iowa Balance of State CoC Director

Status: Full-time, Contract Position

Position Summary:

The Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) is the planning organization for homeless services in 96 counties across Iowa (excluding Polk, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury). Homeward serves as the counterpart to the Iowa BoS CoC in Polk County. The Iowa BoS CoC and Homeward submitted a joint application for Youth Homeless System Improvement (YHSI) funds and were notified of their award in June 2024. These grant funds are expected to begin in September 2024.

Under the direction of the Iowa BoS CoC Director and in partnership with Iowa BoS and Homeward staff, this position is responsible for planning and executing the activities described in the joint application for Youth Homeless System Improvement funds. This position will work in 97 counties in Iowa (all 96 counties of the Balance of State and Polk County), and significant travel is expected. This position will be responsible for working collaboratively with both the Youth Action Council (YAC) in Polk County and the Youth Action Boards (YAB) in the Balance of State. Currently, the YAC meets twice a month and the YAB meets once monthly in Ames and once monthly in Marshalltown for two meetings per month. This position focuses on providing leadership training to the YAC and YAB as well as building out YABs in other parts of the Balance of State, with a goal of creating five additional YABs by March 2027. This is a 30-month (2.5 year) contract.

Key Responsibilities:

• Finalize leadership and consensus building training curriculum with consultants while involving YAB and YAC input. Recruit youth and young adults interested in becoming leaders for their respective groups and implement workshops in new and existing YAB and YAC groups. Solicit feedback from youth and modify training as needed.

• YAB buildout will involve meeting with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to connect with Transition Planning Specialists as well as Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) Councils to build awareness of YAB priorities and to determine appropriate physical locations for new YABs.

• Gather best practices and barriers to establishing active YABs while securing new physical meeting spaces, future facilitators, and improving upon existing meeting materials.

• Promote newly established YABs with CoC youth serving partners while discussing regional needs; revise YAB onboarding and policies to reflect local input.

• Work with the YAB, YAC, and CoC staff to gather best practices in serving youth focusing on Housing First and equitable processes to be used with CoC funded agencies.

• With staff and YAC/YAB members, lead planning and hosting efforts for a full day conference geared toward statewide partners as grant culminating lessons learned event.

• Report YSHI milestone progress to YAB and YAC monthly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university or combined equivalent of education and experience (public policy, sociology, program evaluation, social sciences or similar). We value practical and/or lived experience and recognize that it can often provide the skills and knowledge needed for this role. Therefore, equivalent professional and/or life experience(s) is always considered in lieu of formal education.

• Experience with HUD administered grant programs preferred

• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness and/or other human service programs, especially youth and young adults experiencing homelessness

• Experience with youth program development or work with youth or young adults experiencing homelessness preferred

• Ability to work independently

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc)

• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks and assignments

• Team player and collaborator with a positive attitude

Other Requirements

• A valid driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance

Travel/Work Schedule

• Significant local, regional, and national travel for community outreach/involvement, industry networking, build out of the YABs etc. (generally less than one week for each occurrence)

• This position is shared between the Balance of State and Homeward, so significant travel to Des Moines may be required

• Schedule may fluctuate based on workload

Expense Reimbursement

• Direct and necessary expenses related to required job-related activities are eligible for reimbursement. The incumbent is responsible for the timely request and submission of complete and accurate reimbursement documentation and form(s). Refer to the Personnel Policies & Procedures for full guidelines.

Pay and Benefits

• $55,000 to $60,000 salary per year

• Benefits include:

  • 401(k)

  • Dental insurance

  • Employee assistance program

  • Flexible schedule

  • Flexible spending account

  • Health Insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Paid time off

  • Parental leave

  • Vision insurance

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and why they are passionate about working with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and contact information for three references. Applications should be submitted through the ICA Job Board at https://icalliances.org/all-openings by August 22, 2024. Questions can be submitted to courtney.guntly@icalliances.org.