Youth Services Coordinator

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

Background:

For 45 years, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) has provided a safety net of social welfare and community development services to empower people and communities in need. LTSC provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the Japanese American community in the Southland, builds multi-family affordable housing projects to uplift low-income neighborhoods of color throughout Los Angeles, and promotes equitable development and cultural preservation in the Little Tokyo neighborhood.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability.

Summary of Duties:

The Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing programming that supports the growth and development of youth participating in the Mi CASA in Little Tokyo after-school program, summer program, and Teen Group. The YSC fosters a safe, inclusive environment while designing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement. This role includes cultivating and strengthening relationships with community partners to expand curriculum offerings and secure resources that enrich youth experiences.

As a key member of the Resident Services team, the YSC will collaborate closely with teammates and Terasaki Budokan staff to ensure alignment, collaboration, and high-quality service delivery. The YSC reports directly to the Assistant Director of Resident Services and is supported by the broader Resident Services team at LTSC.

Responsibilities Include:

Program Coordination & Implementation

• Develop academic curriculum, recreational activities, and culturally relevant enrichment offerings.
• Implement and adapt program components to meet the needs and interests of individual participants, document observations and create individualized student plans as needed.
• Manage the daily program schedule to ensure smooth, consistent operations.
• Research, establish, and maintain partnerships that enhance enrichment, cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities for youth.
• Supervise youth participants and ensure a safe, supportive environment at all times.
• Ensure that student arrivals, dismissals, and early pick-ups follow program safety policies and procedures.
• Provide interns and volunteers with ongoing training, guidance, and leadership to model and uphold program values.
• Maintain accurate and organized records (e.g., attendance, enrollment packets, volunteer/intern sign-in sheets, incident reports, etc.) and prepare required reports for grant applications/reports and internal use.
• Complete annual program evaluations, including administering and analyzing student and parent surveys.
• Submit required documentation to the supervisor in a timely manner.

Youth Program Operations

• Coordinate and support operations for additional youth programming under the Mi CASA in Little Tokyo umbrella, including the following:
  • Summer Program: 5-week programming during the summer focused on creating a fun and safe environment for youth with a diverse curriculum of arts, STEM, and sports programming.
  • CHAMPs: Saturday mentorship program delivered in partnership with a UCLA student group offering academic support, arts & cultural activities, and fostering college readiness.
  • Teen Group: Programming open to youth ages 13 & up focused on leadership development through community engagement, volunteerism, and college readiness.
  • Little Tokyo Explorers: A program delivered in partnership with LTSC’s Small Business department that connects local youth with small businesses in Little Tokyo and the surrounding neighborhoods, fostering intergenerational community engagement through interactive field trips where participants explore hidden gems within their community.
  • And other related initiatives and field trip opportunities provided by community partners.
• Transport program supplies, materials, and donations for youth events and activities.
• Travel between LTSC locations and external partner sites, including sites not easily accessible by
  public transportation.
• Support program operations by ensuring timely presence at community events, partner meetings,
  and youth activities, which may require driving.
• Use an approved mode of transportation to fulfill program responsibilities efficiently and reliably.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with Resident Services team members, volunteer/interns, parents, and community stakeholders/partners.
• Collaborate with the Resident Services Program Support Officer to recruit, screen, and train volunteers and interns.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions.

Safety & Organizational Responsibilities

• Follow workplace safety guidelines and recommend improvements when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Resident Services.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s degree in Child Development or related field may
  substitute.
• At least two years of experience working with youth in educational, recreational, community-based,
  nonprofit, or supervisory settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving multicultural communities; bilingual capacity (English/Spanish)
  preferred, with additional languages welcomed.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills, with the ability to engage youth,
  families, and colleagues respectfully and effectively.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including exercising sound judgment,
  multitasking, problem-solving, and participating in shared decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with Mac
  operating systems preferred.
• Ability to travel locally to multiple program and partner sites using an approved mode of
  transportation; ability to drive when required for job duties, including transporting supplies and
  traveling between sites where public transportation or rideshare is not a reasonable alternative.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Equivalent education or experience can be substituted for all minimum qualifications, except when legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration, are required.

Essential Functions Statement: This position requires regular local travel to fulfill essential job duties. In
some circumstances, driving is necessary due to time sensitivity, cost efficiency, or lack of comparable
public transportation options. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable law.