Youth Development Professional

Youth Development Professional-NE_B and GC-351

Location: The Salvation Army – Shreveport , LA

Position Title: Youth Development Professional

About this opportunity:

Assists alongside program leaders in planning and leading center members and activities provided within a specific program area, supporting the priority outcomes of the program.  May assist in special programs and/or events and/or participate in the implementation of other activities as necessary. 

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for safely transporting center members and staff to or from school, activities or programs as approved by the Director of Program Services or Site Director, and is responsible for the proper reporting of maintenance, cleanliness, and safety needs of the assigned vehicle.

• Participates in the Salvation Army’s ministry advancement by collaborating with the Salvation Army Officers to ensure Red Shield Youth Centers provide an engaging, enriching and empowering environment where youth develop Christ-like character, preparing them to become tomorrow’s leaders.

• Responsible for assisting to ensure all Red Shield Youth Center operational standards are implemented and maintained.

• Creates an environment that facilitates the achievement of Youth Development Outcomes: 
• Promotes and stimulates program participation. 
• Assists with registration of new members and participates in their Center orientation process. 
• Provides guidance and role modeling to members. 

• Implements and administers programs, services and activities for Center members in an effective manner. 

• Monitors and evaluates programs, services, and activities to ensure safety of members, quality in programs and appearance of the branch at all times. Prepare periodic activity reports. 

• Assists with implementation of outreach efforts to sustain and increase program membership and program participation. 

• The Driver is responsible for safely transporting center members and staff to or from school, activities or programs as approved by the Director of Program Services or Site Director, and is responsible for the proper reporting of maintenance, cleanliness, and safety needs of the assigned vehicle.

• Safely operate transportation in accordance with state and The Salvation Army rules and regulations. Ensure safety of children within Driver’s direct care. Supervises behavior of passengers and manages passenger behavior in a manner that ensures safety and compliance with behavioral standards during transport. Communicates with parents, students, and staff in a courteous and respectful manner; respond accordingly to needs.
• Follows all center policies and state regulations. Ensures transportation list is on bus and accounts for all children before and after departure. Ensures and double checks that all children have exited vehicle at destinations. 

• Assists in maintaining facility and equipment in good working order.

• Assists in maintaining all storage areas keeping them orderly and clean.

• Reports all repairs, maintenance, and janitorial needs to supervisor. 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• This job is performed in a youth center environment and out in the community. Time is also spent at facilities similar to youth recreational facility or community center. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and at times loud. Work sites are often located in low-income areas and challenging neighborhoods.

• Position requires employees to occasionally work with challenging youth and family members:

• Speak with or assist upset parents/guardians.
• Occasionally to frequently speak with upset external partners or community members.
• May be exposed to emotional outbursts from youth or their family members and may be exposed to germs and children who are ill.

• Ability to perform a variety of physical activities on a regular basis requiring constant motion (standing, walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, pushing/pulling and hand-eye coordination) necessary to lead and participate in a variety of youth programming and physical activities.

• Ability to lift (or obtain assistance lifting) moderately heavy (30-60 lbs.) program equipment following appropriate safety precautions.

• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words, communicating orally with others accurately and clearly.

• Position requires travel within the community and to participate in off-site Center events. 

What we are looking for in you:

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.

• and

• previous work in related field with Children and Youth preferred. 

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License

Bon-a-fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ):

• Must be over the age of 21 to drive a center vehicle to transport youth to/from the Red Shield Youth Center and for field trips. 

Submittal Period: 4/15/25- 4/20/25

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army offers a broad range of career opportunities, particularly targeted toward those motivated by our mission, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

We strive to do the “Most Good” for our employees by offering a greater sense of purpose in the work performed by training and mentoring employees and by offering competitive compensation and benefit plans. Our employees understand at the core of their work is the opportunity to be an integral part of an organization that is Doing the Most Good, with these five values at the heart of everything we do:

We are…

• Passionate
• Compassionate
• Uplifting
• Brave
• Trustworthy

Additional Information: All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

To apply, please select the “Apply Now” icon at the bottom of this posting.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

When an application is selected for review, typically, only applicants who indicate the relevant education and experience requirements, as indicated in the job description for the position, may be considered for job openings. Please FULLY complete the application, answer questions completely, honestly and to the best of your ability. Please also upload a copy of your resume (when available). Those applicants requiring accommodation to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Human Resources Department at the applicable location.

We appreciate your interest in employment opportunities with The Salvation Army!