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Job Description
Location:
City of Ithaca, NY Department:
Ithaca Youth Bureau Classification:
Competitive Bargaining Unit:
CSEA Administrative Salary:
$54,530/year This Youth Program Leader position is assigned to the Youth Bureau's YES (Youth Employment Service) Program and also provides support to the Youth Council Ambassadors (YCA) civic engagement and leadership development initiative. YES is a year-round workforce development program that helps young people develop the skills, experiences, and confidence needed for success in the workplace and beyond. Through job readiness training, paid work experiences, career exploration, individualized support, and connections to local employers, the program prepares youth to enter the workforce, pursue post-secondary education, and achieve their personal and professional goals. In addition to employment-focused programming, this position supports the Youth Council Ambassadors, a youth leadership and civic engagement program that empowers young people to develop leadership skills, advocate for issues affecting their peers, and engage directly with community leaders and decision-makers. Through leadership development activities, service projects, and opportunities to elevate youth voice, participants gain the knowledge and confidence to become active contributors to their schools and communities. Together, these programs serve youth from diverse backgrounds and are committed to creating equitable opportunities that promote workforce readiness, leadership development, civic engagement, and long-term success. Through meaningful employment experiences, supportive mentorship, and opportunities for youth leadership, the program empowers young people to build a strong foundation for their future. To view the complete job description, visit: Youth Program Leader job description.
Minimum Qualifications:
Either:
(a) Possession of a Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, social work, counseling, education, recreation, physical education, or a closely related field with similar course curriculum; or Minimum Qualifications (continued): (b) Possession of an Associate's degree in sociology, psychology, human services, education, recreation or a closely related field with similar course curriculum and two (2) years of full- time paid experience, or its part-time and/or volunteer equivalent, working in a human services agency, educational environment or recreation program in a capacity which involves the provision of direct services to clientele; or (c) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years of experience listed in (b); or (d) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a), (b) and (c).
Substitutions :
1. College degrees in fields of study other than those specified in (a) and (b) above may be substituted for the required experience up to a maximum of two (2) years, in accordance with the following formula: 1 year college education = 6 months of qualifying experience. 2. College coursework that did not result in the attainment of a job-related degree as defined above may be substituted for a portion of the required work experience at the rate of: thirty (30) credit hours of job-related college coursework shall be the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time work experience; provided, however, that in no event shall college coursework toward an Associate's degree be substituted for more than eighteen months of work experience if the Associate's degree has not been obtained; nor shall college coursework toward a Bachelor's degree be substituted for more than forty-two (42) months of work experience if the Bachelor's degree has not been obtained; nor shall college coursework toward a Master's degree be substituted for more than six (6) months of work experience if the Master's degree has not been obtained.
Note:
College degrees must have been awarded by, and college coursework completed at, a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and/or U.S. Secretary of Education. If an applicant's degree was awarded by, or college coursework completed at, an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at required evaluation fee.
Appointment Status and Exam Requirement:
This will be a provisional appointment pending the results of a civil service examination to be scheduled at a later date. Permanent appointment will be dependent upon the candidate's exam score.
Residency Requirements:
There are no residency requirements for this position.
Benefits:
Refer to the Fringe Benefits webpage and CSEA Administrative Unit collective bargaining unit.
Supplemental Information:
• Computers are available for use by appointment. To schedule an appointment, contact the Department of Human Resources/Civil Service at (607) 274-6539 or by email to hrdept@cityofithaca.org. The City of Ithaca values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, people with disabilities, and those with lived experiences. The City of Ithaca is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the NYS Division of Human Rights (NYS DHR) it is the policy of the City to provide reasonable accommodation when requested without causing an undue hardship. If accommodation is needed, please call (607) 274- 6539 or contact us by email using hrdept@cityofithaca.org.
Application Materials Required:
City of Ithaca application Copy of high school and college transcript Applications will be accepted until July 8, 2026.
Submit required application materials to:
Attn:
City of Ithaca Human Resources Department All applications must be submitted electronically through our online application program. We do not accept paper applications, faxed applications, e-mailed applications or photocopies of applications. Ithaca is Gorges! We would love to have you on our team!
