Out of School SEL Program Liaison - URBAN INITIATIVES

Out of School SEL Program School Liason

Coach for Success (CFS) Program Overview

Coach for Success (CFS) is Urban Initiatives’ school-based program within our Workforce Development Network. CFS leverages our 20+ years of experience in sport- and play-based youth development and coaching practices, using them as a vehicle for fostering critical and transferrable SEL skills for high schoolers. The program aims to prepare participants for future workforce opportunities by fostering leadership, teamwork, and critical SEL competencies through structured activities and events.

Our Culture: Our healing-centered approach to youth development helps young people reach their full potential and puts YOU right in the middle of making an impact that will shape generations of Chicago youth. We are coaches by trade and we bring this expertise into our work environment. You can expect us to deliver ample learning opportunities, growth mindsets, a culture of feedback and transparency, and fun as a core value.

Are you ready to put passion into action to build a stronger Chicago?

What you would do:

The CFS Workforce Development School-Based Liaison is a contracted position responsible for supporting the CFS Program Manager at their assigned school, acting as a critical link between Urban Initiatives and the school community and fostering connections within the school to advance program objectives. This position is estimated to be around 30 hours per season and involves coordinating with the Program Manager to ensure the smooth delivery of weekly 2-hour sessions over two 10-week seasons each year. By creating a supportive environment, the Liaison supports students in developing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and prepares them for future opportunities. The key responsibilities include: 

• Collaborate with Program Manager: Read weekly email communications with the Program Manager and support as needed. Communicate with the Urban Initiatives Program Manager to discuss progress and troubleshoot issues. 

• Support Outreach Efforts: Promote the program within the school, and engage students, parents, and staff to support youth registration. Distribute information and collaborate with teachers to facilitate student involvement. 

• Logistics and Space Securement: Secure consistent space for weekly after-school program sessions for 20 participants with slide projection capability. 

• Documentation and Reporting: Support the Program Manager in collecting program documentation, such as attendance records, permission slips, and feedback forms. Ensure timely and accurate reporting to support ongoing program evaluation and improvement.

• Program Administration: Participate with the Program Manager and the school administration in three meetings throughout the year, start-of-year, mid-year, and end-of-year. These meetings are designed to discuss program progress, address challenges, and plan adjustments to enhance the program's effectiveness.

• Availability for Key Dates: Attend four off-site events annually—two in the fall and two in the spring. These events are essential components of the CFS program and provide students with valuable workforce development experiences:

• Fall Season:

• Workforce Spotlight Development: Thursday, November 7, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Application Experience: Saturday, December 7, tentatively 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

• Spring Season:

• Workforce Spotlight Spring Networking Party: Saturday, April 19th tentatively, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

• Application Experience: Saturday, May 17, 2025, tentatively 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Off-Site Event Support: Oversee participant safety, and act as a school representative for the group cohort. Support communication with parents regarding event details and expectations, and ensure smooth transitions during these experiences. Ride the bus with students as needed. 

What we look for in a candidate: 

• Passion for Urban Initiatives’ mission

• Strong communication skills, both spoken and written, with comfort utilizing multiple mediums (i.e. phone, text, email, in person)

• Demonstrated solutions orientation and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated desire to attend field trips

• Compliance with UI Onboarding Process Required

What We Can Offer You: Competitive hourly rate of $35 per hour. 

Additionally, our values of Teamwork and Inclusion ensure that Urban Initiatives is an environment where you will be supported and welcomed by your coworkers and peers.

Urban Initiatives Overview

Founded in 2003, Urban Initiatives is a nonprofit organization that runs out-of-school time programs in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. Currently, Urban Initiatives serves an estimated 80 schools throughout the City of Chicago.

Urban Initiatives is growing into more schools, including high schools, to have a significantly greater impact across Chicago. Our programs support social-emotional learning (SEL) and demand for these services is greater than ever.

Urban Initiatives is dedicated to intentionally fostering a climate of purposeful inclusion in our workplace, and candidates of diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. Urban Initiatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Personnel are chosen based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. This is in accordance with federal and state law.