Job Description: NCO Program Staff
Position: Program Staff
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time (20 hrs/wk) or Independent Contractor — to be determined based on candidate
preference and organizational fit. $23-25 per hour.
Timeframe: Annual Contract (January–December); Start Date: September 2026
About New Community Outreach (NCO):
New Community Outreach is a community-based nonprofit committed to cultivating safe, restorative
spaces for youth and neighbors on Chicago’s South Side. NCO was founded by New Community
Covenant Church in 2017 and remains affiliated with the church. NCO believes that restorative justice is
fundamentally about centering humanity and prioritizing relationships. Our work is rooted in getting to
know our community — its people, its needs, and its strengths — and creating spaces where
individuals can learn about themselves, one another, and the world around them. We believe these
spaces open pathways to healing, reconciliation, and flourishing. In partnership with schools,
organizations, and churches across the South Side, NCO addresses the community’s core needs:
violence prevention, trauma-informed care, education, and workforce development. The Bronzeville
Community Action Plan recognized NCO as a critical partner in this work, and we take that
responsibility seriously. To learn more about NCO and the KEY Program, visit
newcommunityoutreach.org
Summary:
The Program Staff will work closely with the Executive Director and Program Leads to support NCO’s
mission through hands-on program implementation across the organization. This is a ground-level,
relational role — one that requires someone present, engaged, and genuinely invested in the young
people and community NCO serves.
The Program Staff will play a key supporting role in the Knowledge Empowers Youth (KEY) Program,
NCO’s flagship youth restorative justice initiative. They can also contribute to community circles, the
annual Back to Fun Fair event, community garden programming, and one-off projects that align with
their strengths and the needs of the organization. This role is as much about being a consistent, trusted
presence for youth as it is about executing program components with care and fidelity.
Education and Experience:
● Recommended: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
● Experience in: 2 years working in youth programming or development, urban and multi-ethnic
communities, and cross-cultural settings.
● Preferred: Certification in circle keeping by an approved circle keeper training organization.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Program Staff
Essential Functions:
● Support the Program Leads in implementing the KEY Program with fidelity across elementary
and high school settings. This can include, but is not limited to:
○ Co-facilitate circles for weekly in-school sessions and monthly Saturday sessions,
○ Support with care package deliveries and field trips,
○ Mentor at least one student and participate in all events (trainings and mentor events),
○ Participate in monthly staff meetings.
● Build genuine, consistent relationships with KEY youth — showing up reliably and engaging
actively in their growth inside and outside of circle sessions.
● Prepare thoughtfully for all program components with an awareness of youth development,
trauma-informed care, and restorative justice principles.
● Support the implementation of other NCO programs (Back to School Fun Fair, Garden to Table,
Community Circles) and initiatives as needed, contributing wherever the work requires and the
organization grows.
● Participate in monthly staff meetings and broader staff development.
● Take on one-off projects — in areas such as community engagement, marketing, or partnership
support — as they arise and align with individual strengths.
Who You Are:
● Deeply committed to restorative justice and the healing and flourishing of youth and community.
● Flexible and adaptive — you read the room, adjust when needed, and don’t get thrown off when
things shift.
● Observant and attuned — you notice what’s happening with young people and in the
community, and you bring that awareness into your work.
● A natural relationship-builder who earns trust by showing up consistently and authentically.
● Coachable and open to feedback — you see growth as part of the job, not a threat to it.
● A team player who supports colleagues and understands that the work is collective.
● An effective communicator with strong intercultural competency.
● Organized and able to manage multiple responsibilities without losing sight of what matters
most.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by Tuesday, June 30, 2026 to
info@newcommunityoutreach.org.
Please include in your subject line: NCO Program Staff Position [Your Name].