Youth Program Director

LOCATION: Mesa, AZ

STATUS: FT/40hrs/wk/

SCHEDULE: Flex to meet program needs

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Youth Program Director, under the Corps Officer(s), is responsible for organizing impactful programs and activities for children, youth, and young adults at the Corps. This role focuses on planning, delivering, and achieving outcomes such as increased attendance and engagement, including recruiting from the community. Success relies on collaboration with Corps and Local Officers to support essential youth ministry.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education and Professional Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED is required. A college degree (Associate's or Bachelor's preferred) or a youth leadership program certificate is also acceptable. Equivalent life experience may be considered to meet this requirement.
• Candidates must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid Arizona driver's license is required, and a clean driving record must be maintained.
• Candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check and a Child Safety Background Check.
• Must attend The Salvation Army church. Being a Salvationist, Soldier, or adherent is preferred.

Professional Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in program planning and management.
• Proven ability to work with other youth workers, both as part of a team and in supervisory roles.
• Ability to organize and lead group activities that incorporate volunteers, employees, and program participants.
• Must possess strong leadership and organizational skills, with verifiable management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times, including on social media.
• Must be computer literate, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to operate general office equipment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups, including children, young adults, and adults.

Commitment to Mission and Standards

• Must maintain strict standards in compliance with Protect the Mission policies of The Salvation Army.
• Knowledge of The Salvation Army's beliefs and practices is required, and candidates must be theologically aligned with the organization.
• Ability to learn and embrace The Salvation Army's youth work and/or USA Salvation Army program standards.
• Must maintain a professional demeanor and use language that reflects the mission of The Salvation Army, both during program times and in any public communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach

• Network and connect the community with Corps programs, including Sunday School, outreach events, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and worship services.
• Visit families of youth participating in Corps programs to strengthen relationships and support engagement.
• Plan, organize, or coordinate quarterly activities to build connections between parents and the Corps, such as Sunday morning youth meetings, family nights, parenting classes, and picnics.
• Coordinate VBS and summer day camp programs.

Discipleship

• Ensure a discipleship program is in place for teens (Corps Cadets) and children ages 6-12 (Junior Soldier meetings).
• Coordinate and conduct weekly Sunday School open sessions, and teach class as required.
• Hold an annual Sunday School growth campaign to encourage participation and development.
• Be responsible for developing and supporting young adult ministry initiatives.

Leadership

• Recruit leaders and coordinate or personally train them in youth culture, development, assets, and program ideas.
• Develop volunteering and mentoring programs with adults who will work directly with youth.
• Oversee Child Safety records and organize ongoing teaching and training of volunteers to ensure proper training in accordance with The Salvation Army's policies.
• Plan and chair monthly leadership meetings with Corps youth leaders, including agenda drafting and minute-keeping.
• Organize annual YPL (Young People's League) activities, ideally by recruiting and training leaders to facilitate these programs.
• Provide necessary leadership to various youth programs.
• Coordinate recruitment for all territorial and divisional camps, as well as other special events.
• Prepare and submit youth statistics to the Corps Officer by the 5th of each month.
• Prepare and submit all youth reports to Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) in a timely manner.
• Serve on the Corps Council, Advisory Council, and other committees as assigned.
• Act as the Corps youth liaison to Divisional Headquarters.
• Provide one-page monthly narrative progress report to Corps Officers and share at the Corps Council meeting.

Music

• Coordinate and provide leadership for Corps youth music groups.
• Plan and lead rehearsals, performances, and special musical events for youth.

Seasonal

• Assist in organizing seasonal programs such as Backpack SOS, Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner, seasonal food box distribution, Christmas kettles, and toy distribution as time permits.

Programming

• Develop youth programs as specified, with support from the Corps Officer.
• Provide a positive atmosphere of growth and safety for all program participants.
• Coordinate transportation as needed for program participants.
• Plan and prepare activities for youth programming, including topical lesson planning.
• Prepare and distribute promotional materials as needed.
• Provide classroom supervision to ensure program participants receive mentoring or tutoring as needed.
• Implement strategies to ensure compliance with TSA and Protect the Mission (PTM) policies and protocols.
• Work with Corps maintenance staff to maintain cleanliness of activity areas.
• Assist in promoting growth in Salvation Army youth programming, including Sunday School, Troops, Junior Soldiers, Corps Cadets, Bible Study, and Praise & Worship.
• Collaborate with teachers, volunteers, and ministry staff to develop and improve Sunday School programming and increase attendance.
• Serve as a youth mentor and advocate to families within the Corps.
• Recruit, organize, and train leaders for all traditional Corps programs.
• Participate in fundraisers throughout the year.
• Assist in planning, developing, and implementing ministry outreach strategies for youth in the surrounding community.
• Support bridge-building from social service programs to Corps programs.

Additional Duties

• Organize and maintain all troop supplies.
• Be willing to assist in other areas of the Corps as needed.
• Attend assigned staff meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Corps Officers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach with hands and arms on a continuous basis. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must have the ability to operate telephone, a desktop or laptop computer, as well as the ability to access and produce information from a computer, and to understand written information.