Young Adult and Leadership Development Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Young Adult and Leadership Development Specialist

LOCATION/DEPT: DHQ Youth Department

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Divisional Youth Director

FLSA CATEGORY: Exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

PAY GRADE: 205

PAY RANGE: $45,368 - $63,516

WHO WE ARE

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to "Doing the Most Good". We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

JOB SUMMARY

The Young Adult and Leadership Development Specialist position oversees the divisional support for the young adult ministries and programs across the NCI division by equipping, training, and resourcing corps leaders to strengthen the local mission impact and development of emerging leaders across the division. This role operates with a high level of ownership and exercises independent judgment in planning, prioritizing, and executing initiatives, ensuring alignment with divisional youth related goals and established guidelines by the Divisional Youth Department leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Young Adult Specialist

• Consult corps to assess the current young adult ministries to evaluate and measure their effectiveness, offering solutions and resources for advancement in recommended areas.
• Establish and manage the divisional young adult databases that include contact information, college enrollments organizing touchpoints throughout the year on behalf of the youth department.
• Develop and execute a plan for young adult ministries where they do not exist in the division.
• Establish and utilize effective young adult resources for corps leaders and offer trainings throughout the division to maintain a growing effectiveness, including ministering through specific transition years and major life events.
• Coordinate and conduct on-site visits to all NCI corps to participate in ministry programming, offering feedback, encouragement, and strategic next steps.
• Promote and attend Salvation Army approved young adult conferences.
• Develop resources, training, and divisional touchpoints that equip local leaders to guide young adults through major life transitions.
  
  
  
  • Transition from late high school into young adult life.
  • Discernment of education, career, and life direction.
  • Development of independence and adult responsibility.
  • Transition beyond young adult programming into the next stage of adult life.
  
  
  
  
• Participate in the monitoring and maintenance of social media and websites.

Special Events

• Develop conceptual plans for divisional young adult events in partnership with the Divisional Youth Department Leadership and submit proposals for approval in alignment with divisional event guidelines.
• Oversee approved young adult events, coordinating logistics including speakers, contracts, schedules, and program elements.
• Support and participate in the planning and implementation of all divisional Youth Department events as part of the broader divisional Youth Department team.

Summer Camp

• Create a 6-8-week conceptual plan for Summer Staff community engagement and oversee the implementation of the approved plan.
  
  
  
  • Prepare and share all communications with camp leadership and summer staff, and organize logistics as needed.
  
  
  
  
• Participate in the planning and implementation of all summer camps.

Leadership Development and Training Opportunities for Emerging Leaders

• Identify and provide leadership development resources for divisional and corps use.
• Collaborate with divisional departments to create and provide training opportunities that cultivate leadership skills.
• Promote, support, and participate in approved leadership trainings and conferences.
• Promote and assist with the application process of divisional and territorial loans, scholarships, and grants awarded for higher education.
• Support and promote the divisional internship and leadership training opportunities for emerging leaders throughout the division.
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with the Divisional Candidate Secretary
  
  
  
  
• Partner with Wonderland Camp to coordinate and participate in college recruitment visits for ministry opportunities in NCI, inviting the local Salvation Army leader to participate when possible.

Additional Duties

• Provide spiritual leadership as needed in ministry settings, including leading Bible studies, devotionals, and prayer opportunities during visits, events, and camps.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere through appropriate conflict management, courteous demeanor, and professional and appropriate communication practices.
• Maintain compliance with The Salvation Army's "Safe from Harm" Certification.
• Perform other duties as assigned as related to the needs of the position.

OTHER DUTIES

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Education: A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Experience: Salvation Army experience and church involvement are preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading, coordinating, and planning young adult and youth ministry programs, including leadership development initiatives, training opportunities, recruitment efforts, and large-scale events, with demonstrated ability to equip emerging leaders and support diverse ministry contexts.
• Valid Driver's license/MVR clearance

JOB LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Divisional Youth Director informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires moderate physical work and must be able to lift 25lbs.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use Microsoft 365 computer programs and standard office equipment.
• The work environment for this position includes a low-noise level office environment at DHQ. For events and summer camp, expect a moderate to high noise level in an indoor/outdoor environment.
• Must be able to drive and walk stairs.
• Must be able and willing to travel to NCI corps and camps.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others' property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact, and colleague with respect and dignity and without discrimination.

COMPETENCIES

• Willing to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Uses diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstrates ability to use initiative and be a self-starter.
• Attentive to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations/priorities.
• An ability to work with confidential material.
• An ability to manage projects, priorities, and programs in a constantly changing environment.
• A communication and management style that exhibits the principles and values of the Army as well as fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
• An extensive knowledge of working in cross-cultural and urban environments.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the Divisional Youth Director. In contacts related to this position's duties, this individual acts as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved through a review of their timeliness, accuracy, and quality of accomplishing assigned goals. An evaluation and performance review will be conducted at 30, 60, and 90 days.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.