Full-Time, 12 Month Position

Reports To: Principal

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Who We Are:

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter high school, with a singular focus on supporting youth aged 17-20 who have been pushed out of traditional schools. During our 1-year alternative program, Youthbuild facilitates a warm, loving culture that uses a variety of structures to build community, such as a restorative-justice approach to discipline, weekly community meetings, and school-wide service projects. Students are empowered to attain their high school diploma and vocational certifications, while receiving unconditional support by the staff around them. At YouthBuild, we work intentionally to disrupt the cycle of poverty and support our students to achieve post-secondary success (4-year college, 2-year college, vocational training program, or liveable wage job). Visit https://www.youthbuildphilly.org/ to learn more.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Vocational Education is a member of the school leadership team serving under the Principal to support the instructional vision of the vocational program. The Director of Vocational Education will manage the vocational program, instructors and operations from application to graduation, including engaging with the community to ensure all students participate in an internship. The Director will ensure that YouthBuild students are enrolled in vocational tracks that provide them with the education, training and certification they will need to enter the job-market or post secondary education, upon graduation, with well-developed skills and varied intellectual interests. 

Who You Are:

You are/have…

• Invested in our core values - Respect, Excellence and Perseverance.
• Equity-focused and believe that all students can achieve. 
• Passionate about community service and civic engagement.
• Excited to mentor students and support them throughout their time at YouthBuild and beyond.
• Collaborative and dedicated to personal and professional development.
• A successful leader of a vocational program, with 10 years of school based experience, of which a minimum of 5 years as a school leader, highly preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• An instructional leader with experience developing teachers’ instructional practices through coaching, feedback and evaluation which has a direct impact on student learning.

What You’ll Do:

You will…

• Collaborate with school leadership and staff to design and implement comprehensive vocational programming aligned with the school's mission and values.
• Ensure the instructional effectiveness of the vocational teaching staff through coaching and feedback as well as offering professional development opportunities for vocational teachers to enhance their instructional practices and stay abreast of industry changes.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the vocational education department.
• Develop curriculum and resources that integrate career readiness skills, job exploration, and experiential learning opportunities into the school's vocational offerings.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with vocation-specific organizations including post-secondary, continuing education, job training, contractors, employers and union officials as it relates to student work experiences, placement, and career readiness. 
• Stay connected and keep current with local and national trends surrounding youth and adult workforce development which include attending conferences and attending to personal professional development.
• Collect, analyze and respond strategically to data related to student outcomes and vocational development initiatives to inform continuous improvement efforts.
• Prepare regular reports for school leadership, board members, and external stakeholders on the effectiveness and impact of vocational development programs.
• Collaborate with student advisors, specialized service staff and the associate director of post-secondary programs to ensure students receive comprehensive guidance and support in vocational program selection, career exploration, and post-graduation planning.
• Engage with students and members of their village to enhance the quality of their vocational experience.
• Implement strategies to address the individual needs of students in vocational programs, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, including the development and implementation of alternative programming for students.

What We Offer You:

• Generous time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) savings plan with an employer match
• Employer paid life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability 
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Strong community support and involvement