Division Head for Youth Programs

Posting Date: 4/10/26 Department: DHSP - Youth Programs Job Code: M699 (ID# 1679) Sequence #: 701 Number of Hours Per Week: 37.5 Additional Work Hours Information: Union Affiliation: Non Union # of openings: 1 Type of Employment: Regular Civil Service Type: None

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) seeks a Division Head with the vision and experience to lead the Cambridge Youth Programs in providing high-quality out-of-school-time programs to children and youth ages 9-19. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Children, Youth and Families, the Division Head for Cambridge Youth Programs is a senior leadership position within the Department with overall responsibility for 5 Youth Centers located across the city. Working with the leadership of the other Departmental programs serving children, youth, and families, the position is responsible for helping to plan, implement and oversee programs to meet the needs of Cambridge’s diverse residents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Provide programmatic direction and oversight to the Cambridge Youth Programs located in 5 Youth Centers throughout the City.
• Directly supervise the Director of Program Quality and Training, the Director of Operations, 5 Youth Center Directors and the Administrative Assistant. Provide leadership to 25 full-time staff and 80 Part-time staff.
• Provide fiscal oversight for the division, with an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million.
• Provide leadership to the programs in family engagement, professional development, quality improvement, and data collection.
• Oversee regulatory requirements for programs including state licensing through the Department of Early Education and Care.
• Support the DHSP enrollment lottery process and oversee revenue collection from families.
• Work with the Department’s Inclusion staff to support the inclusion of children with special needs in youth programs.
• Work with the Agenda for Children Out of School Time and STEAM Initiatives to support program quality improvement efforts and professional development for staff.
• Collaborate with the Department’s Office of Workforce Development and other organizations on programming for teens.
• Work with Departmental leadership and appropriate committees to provide support to the Department’s shared goals.
• Stay current with local and national research on child and youth program development and trends to inform program development.
• Act as the Youth Program’s public spokesperson regarding youth-related issues across the City.
• Actively support the Department’s Race & Equity Initiative and support DHSP divisions and leadership to meet the Department’s equity goals by effectively collecting and using data

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Ten years of progressively responsible and successful management experience of human services, education or related fields.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing large budgets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent planning and program management skills
• Successful track record as a senior level manager and administrator in a community-based or public sector setting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change management and to work collaboratively
• Strong ability to communicate orally and in writing with staff from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Knowledge of child and youth development principles and frameworks.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and to engender the trust and confidence of staff, collaborators and colleagues
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in related field or a combination of education and experience accepted
• Knowledge of Cambridge community

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must have sufficient mobility to travel between sites and to local meetings. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer, answer telephones and maintain multiple files. May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible.
• Paid parental leave.
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible.
• 3 Personal days.
• 14 Paid Holidays.
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year.
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

All applicants must provide the following materials when submitting their job application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve -- one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at humanresources@cambridgema.gov.