Director of Programs

Job Title: Director of Programs  
 

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and serving the youth? 
 

Who We Are: 

In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.  

What We Do:  

Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer Lifecraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 1,000 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 20,000 youth ages 4-18 annually in and from 110+ Title I schools across LA County! 
 

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers: 

• Paid vacation 

• Sick time 

• Health Benefits 

• 403(b) retirement 

• Pet insurance 

• Lifecraft 

• Upward mobility 

• Career development 

• The opportunity to create a lasting positive impact on youth within your community. 
   

Role Overview: 

The Director of Program oversees all staff and services to provide for the seamless execution of all program sites under the Woodcraft Rangers umbrella including after-school, before-school, summer camp and youth development offerings. The Director of Program ensures attainment of program goals and contract performance objectives, creates a supportive, productive work environment for staff and partners of Woodcraft Rangers; identifies problems impeding services and provides solutions and maintains programmatic consistency throughout all sites that reflects both Woodcraft signature program and its core values. Responsibilities include partnering with each WR internal department district partner to develop and implement safe and engaging summer learning experiences for participants. Creates evaluation and assessment to ensure programming is dynamic and responsive to student needs and interest and engage community stakeholders, including parents, to garner meaningful and broad-based support of the program.   
 

Responsibilities: 

• Oversees all Programming to include curating and managing the annual budget and strategic planning, program activities, registration goals, data management of policies and procedures.  

• In collaboration with senior leadership and program/project managers, develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems necessary to maintain high-quality programs and services, safety at every program location; and to ensure adequate controls and outcomes information; adhering to the agency’s core values. 

• Operate in an atmosphere of teamwork, inspiring all levels of program staff to deliver excellence.  

• Provide guidance to area program managers to maintain Woodcraft Rangers standard of quality while adapting for each site and community’s specific needs. Advise Program Managers in the effective implementation of standard operating procedures, program calendars and associated spending plans.  

• Collaborate with the Learning department and devise an annual calendar of professional development to equip all program staff with tools necessary for success as well as keep them informed of best practices and emerging trends in youth development. 

• Develop and plan strategically for future programmatic needs and community partnerships. 

• Oversee comprehensive agency calendar to ensure program goals are achieved.  

• In partnership with the Senior Director of programs and COO, implement tools and mechanisms for program evaluation and continuous quality improvement to satisfy compliance requirements for funders as well as provide for thoughtful program evolution. Provide consistent reports to Senior Director for consideration. 

• Provide assistance with crisis-related issues. 

• Engage in cultivation and stewardship of stakeholder relationships as needed including but not limited to: school and site leadership, district personnel and community leaders.  

• Collaborate with development and communications staff to provide supportive narrative that illustrates impact and helps to tell the organization’s story to funders and other supporters.  

• Other responsibilities as assigned. 
   

Qualifications: 

• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to inspire staff to manage and develop high-performance teams and develop and implement program strategies. Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals.  

• Track record of effectively leading a youth program with the ability to leverage strengths across program areas; excellent project management skills. 

• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation. 

• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to program management. 

• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances. 

• Ability to initiate and build relationships with key stakeholders and program partners and interact via telephone and in person with institutional representatives. 

• Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.  

• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed. 

Skills: 

Ideally, we are looking for someone who is energetic, ambitious, goal-oriented and creative, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with a talent for building strong and productive relationships across constituencies. Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form. Superior writing ability and analytical skills. Detail-oriented.  

Physical Demands: 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions: 

• Frequent standing is required during working hours 

• The ability to travel across the Great Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month.  

• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.  

• Must be able to occasionally lift/move up to 40 pounds.  

• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities.  

Work Environment: 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects: 

• Regular exposure to computer monitors during work. 

• The typical noise level of a standard work environment. 

• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance. 

Status: Full-time; Exempt  

Hourly or Salary Range: $95,000 - $125,000 annually (based on experience and qualifications) 

Hours of Operation: 9:00am – 5:30pm with some flexibility needed  

Location: Los Angeles (Little Tokyo Office) 

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.