YLJ is looking for a new   Development & Operations Lead   to help advance our work!

TITLE: Development & Operations Lead

LOCATION: Youth-LED Justice has offices in both Portland and Lewiston, ME, and travel across regions will be expected and reimbursed. The Development & Operations Lead may be based out of either office. A hybrid option is also possible - within a hybrid context, travel to/from the primary office of choice would not be compensated.

POSITION: This role strengthens the organization’s restorative work through fundraising, operations, financial management, and nonprofit administration. This is a salaried position that is available at either full time (generally 40 hour/week) at $50,000/yr or 4-days/week (generally 32 hours/week) at $45,000/yr. See pay models for each option at the end of the job posting. This schedule may be flexible and negotiated for a candidate who is a good fit. 

START DATE: The preferred start date for this position is June 1st, 2023 with flexibility to start in early July 2023 for the right candidate. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Development
   1. Identify funding opportunities to match the costs and mission goals of our programming
   2. Strategically diversify YLJ’s funding through grants, donations, major gifts, and contracts
   3. Research grant opportunities, write and submit grant applications, and foster existing relationships with foundations. Ensure grant compliance and complete grant reporting
   4. Work with the board of directors to support and guide their new fundraising efforts
   5. Organize and lead events for fundraising and community engagement
   6. Build and maintain relationships with program alumni, community supporters, and individual donors
   7. Create development/promotional materials and publish our quarterly newsletter

 

1. Finance:
   1. Take responsibility for fiscal management, ensuring we operate within our budgets
   2. Develop annual and project budgets and projections
   3. Track all restricted funding and make sure it is spent appropriately
   4. Manage all contracts and create MOUs as needed
   5. Report to the board of directors about the state of our finances
   6. Work closely with our bookkeeper on QuickBooks to keep our financials in order
   7. Maintain required financial documents and help our accountant complete annual audits, as necessary
   8. Oversee annual tax filings and maintenance of legal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

 

1. Operations
   1. Ensure the organization pays all bills and invoices on time
   2. Manage insurance plans for the organization and benefits plans for the team
   3. Ensure staff have have the supplies and resources needed to do their jobs
   4. Operate and refine the organization’s administrative systems’

 

1. General
   1. Participate in team meetings and take part in collective decision-making for the organization
   2. Support youth volunteer trainings and events as needed

Note: YLJ is a continuously evolving organization. This role may evolve in its responsibilities and scope of work to meet community needs and strategic priorities as they change.

QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS:

• Educational background and/or equivalent work experience in development, finance, operations, or nonprofit administration preferred
• Experience or aptitude for financial management including budget development, day-to-day oversight, and reading/generating financial reports
• Experience working with youth or young adults, and/or demonstrated commitment to youth leadership and empowerment preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with who enjoys building relationships
• Knack for fundraising and for connecting people, including direct cultivation and solicitation of donations or grants from individual donors, foundations, and government
• Willingness to be part of a highly collaborative team that uses consensus-based decision making and is invested in finding ways to share power
• A demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed practices, restorative practices, and collaborative problem solving
• Commitment to Racial Equity in all aspects of YLJ’s programming and organizational structure 
• An awareness of systemic, structural, and interpersonal oppression 
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Strong organization, the abilities to think critically and multitask, and a strengths-based approach to problem solving
• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid Maine State Driver’s License with a clean driving record in the past 3 years for insurance purposes.
• Must complete a comprehensive background check. The presence of a criminal record may not necessarily preclude an applicant from employment. 

YOUTH-LED JUSTICE:

Youth-LED Justice (YLJ) is a youth-led restorative justice diversion program that receives referrals for youth who have gotten in trouble with the law and/or their school. By participating in a restorative justice process and successfully completing a Repair Agreement (an action plan created by affected parties to repair the harm and build up support)—youth are diverted from punitive consequences. At the heart of YLJ is a belief in youth leadership. We train youth to serve as advocates and facilitators of these restorative processes, and turn to respondents (youth referred to our program), youth volunteers, and youth board members to inform and guide our evolving programming.

Youth-LED Justice is looking for a candidate with demonstrated strengths in development and finance, external relationship building, and nonprofit administration and leadership. This role will work closely with YLJ’s Co-Directors who lead our programming across both regions and support the programming staff.

The Development & Operations Lead should be thoroughly committed to YLJ’s mission, and believe in restorative justice and youth leadership as an alternative model for juvenile justice. All candidates should have proven leadership, financial, and relationship management experience. Investment in the regions YLJ serves (Greater Portland, Bath/Brunswick, and/or Lewiston/Auburn region) is preferred.

The ideal candidate will be eager to be part of an ever-evolving and collaborative team dedicated to equity and inclusion, and committed to transparent leadership and work around power sharing. Youth-LED Justice aspires to promote restorative practices in the broader community, as well as within the organization internally. 

SALARY and BENEFITS:
This position is salaried at $50,000 annually for full-time work (roughly 40 hours/week) or at $45,000 annually for a 4-day work week (roughly 32 hours/week). There is some flexibility in schedule and hours for a candidate who is a good fit. Please note that any employee starting with the 4-day model would not keep that same hourly rate if they ever wanted to increase their hours later. This position is considered Exempt under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

YLJ offers employee health care and dental plans that are paid 100% by the organization, a SIMPLE IRA with 3% employer match, and generous paid time off and holidays. Both the 5-day and 4-day roles are eligible for all benefits.

TO APPLY: 
If our work and this position resonates with you, please submit a cover letter and resume to Danny Banks dbanks@youthledjustice.org. You must submit both a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We hope to welcome the Development & Operations Lead on June 1st, 2023 with flexibility to start in early July for the right candidate. Only candidates who are invited for an interview will be contacted.

Youth-LED Justice is an equal opportunity employer. Youth-LED Justice does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, or physical or mental ability.