Youth Programs Associate

Date Opened: Friday, August 22, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Thursday, September 04, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Special Initiatives Department

Salary: $59,134.00 - $73,917.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

Housing & Neighborhood Services focuses on creating vibrant, diverse neighborhoods through the delivery of five major service areas: Community Engagement, which works to create successful neighborhoods where people of diverse backgrounds and incomes can build successful lives; Code Enforcement, which works to improve the appearance of communities and maintain standards of living; Housing Services, which provides housing and other programs and services for families residing in the City of Charlotte; CharMeck311, which provides important information and services for customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County; and the Office of Youth Opportunities, which works with youth and young adults in the community to provide resources and opportunities for growth and upward mobility.

The City of Charlotte’s Housing & Neighborhood Services (H&NS) Department is currently hiring a Youth Programs Associate in the Office of Youth Opportunities. This position reports directly to the Youth Programs Manager and plays a key role in supporting Charlotte’s youth. Understanding the need to meet the youth where they are with the resources they need is key. This role is responsible for planning, organizing, and facilitating activities and programs for youth (ages 14-24) at various locations across the city.

Current programming includes:
• Career Readiness Training
• Youth Employment, i.e., Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP) and Envision
• Youth Diversion
• Alternatives to Violence
• Peer Clubs

If you're passionate about empowering young people and helping shape the future of Charlotte, we encourage you to apply!

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
 

Youth Engagement and Workforce Development

• Develop and facilitate career readiness training and engagement opportunities for youth participants.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, and workforce development agencies to connect youth with career and employment opportunities.
• Assist in developing youth-centered programming that integrates life skills, leadership development, and workplace readiness.
• Coordinate and participate in community outreach efforts to increase youth engagement in programs, including outreach to underserved populations.
   

Program Support and Communication

• Collect and manage participant and program data, track progress toward annual enrollment, completion, and advancement targets, and prepare regular reports to show results and identify when adjustments may be needed. Track, maintain, and report program data to monitor participation, progress, and outcomes. Support development and execution of annual participation enrollment plan to achieve or exceed annual training, conversion, and matriculation targets
• Support recruitment efforts for Youth Programs through outreach at schools, community events, and other engagement opportunities. Serve as a resource within division, organization, and community representing youth related programs and opportunities
   

Supporting Constituent Relationships and Networks

• Prepare contracts, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and other professional and financial documents. Provide contract monitoring and payment processing as needed
• Communicate with partners through phone, email, and virtual or in-person meetings, maintaining accurate records in the CRM system. Identify prospective partners and maintain relationships with existing partners to support youth engagement activities.
• Guide prospective host employers in completion of application and contract process, Certificate of Insurance requirements (COI), employer guidelines, and financial obligations
• Staff and assist with planning and coordination of special events as needed
• Provide administrative support and monitoring for special projects
• Perform other related duties as assigned
   

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of youth development principles, including strategies for fostering engagement, motivation, and skill-building.
• Understanding of workforce development practices and career readiness frameworks relevant to youth.
• Familiarity with local education systems, community resources, and employment opportunities available to youth.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity in working with youth from varied backgrounds, including underserved populations.
• Interest, enthusiasm, and experience working with diverse group of colleagues, partners, and youth in fast-paced environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience teaching, training, and facilitating
• Ability to develop and deliver dynamic and effective presentations to groups
• Demonstrated proficiency with various technology platforms, including but not limited to:
  • Microsoft Office
  • Adobe Creative Suite & Canva
  • LMS database systems
  • Monday.com
• Self-starter with ability to work well in team-based environment under limited supervision with effective interpersonal skills and high energy
• Proven ability to use effective judgment
• Service and team oriented as well positive and proactive
• Analytical ability as well as strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects effectively and simultaneously
• Excellent reading comprehension skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
• Ability to learn strategic enrollment management processes and programs
• Must have a valid driver’s license, along with the ability to acquire a City driving permit, to attend off-site meetings
• Must be available to work nights and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in career services, human resources, enrollment management, business recruiting, secondary or higher education, or related field
• Experience with internship coordination and career assessment tools, as well as knowledge of career development theory and counseling

• Bilingual skills in Spanish a plus

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with three years of relevant experience, an associate degree with one year of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree. Must be proficient using Microsoft Office

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.