Are you passionate about building safer communities and creating meaningful changes for youth and families? Do you thrive on bringing people together, facilitating dialogue, and turning big ideas into action? If so, we invite you to join our team as the Youth Project Coordinator for the Safeguarding Our Youth: A Collaborative Blueprint for Deflection and Recovery initiative.
This full-time position is based in Chester, SC, and serves the counties of Chester, Fairfield, and Lancaster. In this role, you will lead and coordinate impactful grant activities designed to reduce youth violence, prevent system involvement, and promote youth well-being through early intervention and community-based strategies.
As the Youth Project Coordinator, you will collaborate with a diverse network of stakeholders, including:
The ideal candidate is energized by community engagement and relationship-building. You must enjoy traveling throughout the three counties, getting to know local partners, and serving as a connector across systems. This position requires someone who is comfortable facilitating dialogue among diverse groups, coordinating community events, leading community and stakeholder meetings, and fostering collaboration across agencies.
Key responsibilities will include:
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional who believes in prevention, values collaboration, and is committed to uplifting youth and families. If you are a relationship-builder, a strategic thinker, and someone who enjoys being out in the community making things happen, we encourage you to apply.
Join us in shaping safer, stronger futures for youth across Chester, Fairfield, and Lancaster Counties.
Required Education and Experience
Preferred Qualifications
• Prefer work experience that involves multi-agency coordination.
• Strongly prefer training experience. Prefer experience in grants management and program development.
• Prefer professional licensure in South Carolina.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• This position requires a proactive and knowledgeable professional with a strong understanding of the systems serving children and youth in South Carolina, including juvenile justice, child welfare, behavioral health, education, and community-based services.
• The ideal candidate values prevention, early intervention, and community-based treatment approaches, recognizing that youth are best served in their homes and communities whenever they are not a threat of harm to themselves or others.
• Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills are essential for effectively managing multiple projects and coordinating activities across three counties.
• The successful candidate excels in relationship-building, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and maintaining positive public relations.
• They are confident in leading workshops, facilitating dialogue among diverse stakeholders, and navigating complex systems with professionalism and cultural humility.
• A background in youth development, welfare, health, behavioral health, or related fields is highly desirable.
• A strong commitment to helping underserved communities connect to needed resources and services is essential.
Job Close Date
06/30/2026
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by June 30, 2026.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.