Youth Protection Program Specialist

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 01-21-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Risk Services is a part of the UC Santa Cruz Risk and Safety Services unit within the Finance, Operations and Administration (FOA) division. Risk and Safety Services is composed of five departments and each of the units is dedicated to maintaining and promoting some aspect of the health and safety of all members of the campus community. Risk Services supports the vision and strategic planning of the University by addressing liability, financial, operational, compliance and reputational risk. Risk Services supports the campus by helping departments identify their risk exposures and by recommending strategies to reduce or eliminate identified risks. Risk Services assists the campus community to foster a safe, healthy, and thriving campus community.

More information can be found at: https://riskservices.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

UC Santa Cruz is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all individuals, including minors who visit the campus or participate in various university programs. The Youth Protection Program Specialist serves as the point of contact for policies and practices related to the protection of minors. Responsibilities include recommending, implementing, and coordinating guidelines, protocols, training, and compliance activities to ensure a secure environment for minors participating in University programs. The incumbent collaborates with various stakeholders, leads the protection of minors working groups, and analyzes program data to promote effective minors safety and compliance strategies.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $83,000/annually.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Scotts Valley Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: ENTERPRISE RISK MGT ANL 3 (007204)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% - Program Development and Compliance

• Coordinate efforts with a variety of external and internal contacts; research organizational structures, policies, and procedures and summarize best practices in the field. Provides technical guidance and quality assessment.
• Recommend goals to support UC Santa Cruz youth protection programming, and advocate for minors' safety and compliance.
• Work with colleges, program administrators, and university stakeholders to identify needs and issues related to minors' safety on campus; develop and recommend effective strategies, guide, and support the strategic direction for the program.
• Provide analyses for complex data, systems, and resource projects working directly with all levels of managers.
• Establish connections with internal and external experts in youth protection development, programming, and safety.
• Serve as the campus contact on practices and procedures regarding minors' protection and compliance for staff, faculty, volunteers, students, and visitors.
• Conduct research on minors' programming, safety, and compliance to stay updated on best practices and regulations.
• Evaluate existing policies, recommend policy changes, and monitor regulatory and legislative developments impacting minors' protection.
• Oversee compliance with the protection of minors policy, conduct site visits to programs, and evaluate programs for safety and compliance. Address non-compliance issues and collaborate with relevant offices in gathering information when necessary.
• Communicate policy requirements and changes to the University community.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to ensure cross-campus communication and implementation of minors on campus policies.
• Propose, lead, and/or participate in policy and planning committees and working groups.
• Provide strategy development for organizational and or research initiatives.
• Provide support to other Risk Services management functions and/or special projects as needed.

50% - Resource Development and Risk Analysis

• Prepare directives, regulations, technical guidance, and other instructions for issuance to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with related offices to deliver orientations, training, and informational resources, as well as provide year-round advising and training support for groups hosting programs and activities with minors.
• Develop templates, forms, and instructional materials for use in minors programs, and design and implement instructional materials for training sessions on topics related to minors protection.
• Serve as the main point of contact for faculty and staff development programming for minors, and provide assistance and guidance.
• Engage in own professional development opportunities, such as the Higher Education Protection Network.
• Research, monitor, and analyze regulations, legislation, research literature, and UC policies for impact on the organization or initiative.
• Develop and coordinate a registration process and checklist for UC Santa Cruz minors programs, maintaining a comprehensive database.
• Provide direction to minors programs regarding registration requirements.
• Create and maintain content on the campus Minors Program resource page.
• Analyze evaluation data and prepare annual reports for presentation to University stakeholders.
• Assist with risk analysis and risk mitigation program development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training
• Knowledge of developing new policies, processes, and/or programs. Knowledge of developing and/or guiding the strategic direction of programs or initiatives.
• Knowledge of common computer application programs.
• Experience in compliance, risk analysis, insurance, and/or youth program management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to successfully collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Strong skills in analyzing, researching and synthesizing large amounts of data for preparing sound and relevant proposals/analyses. Strong policy analysis techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in a related field
• Experience working with youth programs in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of youth protection policies, regulations, and best practices and knowledge of legal and regulatory issues related to youth protection.
• Familiarity with American Camp Association policies and practices.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination