Join The Team

Here at YouthBuild Lake County, we are more than just a team. We are a family that unites through our shared passion to help the youth in our community. We strive to encourage and support not only our members, but each other as well.
We are seeking team members who embrace our mission and our core values of integrity, responsibility, respect, and teamwork. If you are passionate about working together to make a difference for the youth in our community, we encourage you to take a look at our open positions.

Open Positions

Director of Development and Community Relations | $72,000 Per Year

As our Director of Development and Community Relations, you will be at the forefront of advancing YouthBuild Lake County’s mission through strategic fundraising and community engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will lead YBLC’s Transforming Futures Campaign, a $9 million capital campaign dedicated to expanding our impact and enhancing services for participants. In this role, you’ll develop and nurture donor relationships, oversee marketing and public relations efforts, and elevate YBLC’s presence within the community. Your leadership will be instrumental in driving effective donor engagement, managing the CRM system (Salesforce), and ensuring our online giving platforms are optimized for streamlined donation processing.

On a typical day, you’ll work closely with campaign leadership and board members to meet campaign goals, organize donor cultivation events, and oversee external communications to strengthen YBLC’s visibility. You’ll also supervise a dedicated development team, guiding them in setting and achieving performance goals while fostering a collaborative environment aligned with YBLC’s values. Your expertise in fundraising, marketing, and community relations will help secure the resources necessary for YBLC’s continued growth, creating life-changing opportunities for young adults through education, job training, and leadership development.

Donor Engagement Senior Coordinator | $52,000 Per Year

As our Donor Engagement Senior Coordinator, you’ll play a vital role in advancing YouthBuild Lake County’s mission by strengthening relationships with our donors and supporting fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Development Director, you will lead efforts for the Annual Appeal and assist with the Spring Benefit, coordinating donor engagement and ensuring that each campaign is impactful and strategically aligned with YBLC’s mission. With a strong focus on capital campaign support, you’ll track donor engagement, prepare follow-up documentation, and support campaign leaders in managing donor cultivation efforts, helping to build a sustainable foundation for YBLC’s growth.

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll be responsible for maintaining accurate donor data in Salesforce, generating engagement reports, and providing insight into donor trends for internal meetings. You’ll oversee list management, sponsorship outreach, and KPI tracking to ensure campaign goals are met. Your organizational skills and attention to detail will be crucial as you manage multiple projects, draft donor communications, and maintain campaign documentation. With a passion for philanthropy and a commitment to youth empowerment, you will be an integral part of YBLC’s development team, fostering meaningful connections with supporters to drive forward our mission of empowering young adults through education and job training.

Senior Construction Trainer | $70,000 Per Year

As our Senior Construction Trainer, you will play a transformative role at YouthBuild Lake County, leading young adults and newcomers through hands-on construction training that sets them on a path toward rewarding careers in the trades. Your expertise in carpentry, safety protocols, and workforce development will empower participants to gain real-world skills and confidence as they work on projects that bring community impact. Reporting to the Construction Director, you’ll oversee site activities, tool management, and credentialing support, creating an environment where participants can safely build foundational construction skills, prepare for industry certifications, and thrive in a supportive learning environment.

On a typical day, you’ll mentor participants in carpentry techniques, site safety, and tool handling, ensuring each trainee upholds safety standards and quality expectations. Your role includes preparing participants for industry-recognized credentials, instilling a safety-first mindset, and supporting job readiness by guiding them on interpersonal and critical thinking skills essential in the workforce. With clear communication and coordination across YBLC staff, you’ll ensure that each training site is well-organized, on budget, and aligned with project goals, contributing to YBLC’s mission of empowering young adults through meaningful career pathways in the construction industry.

Executive Assistant to the Executive Director | $60,000 Per Year
As our Executive Assistant, you will be an essential support to the Executive Director, helping drive YouthBuild Lake County’s mission forward by ensuring that organizational priorities are met efficiently and effectively. Working closely with the ED, you will manage high-level administrative tasks, streamline operations, and coordinate HR functions, playing a key role in aligning the team with our strategic objectives. From organizing the ED’s schedule and preparing for board meetings to overseeing communications with key stakeholders, your role is at the heart of our organization’s success. Your proactive approach and organizational skills will be vital in maintaining a seamless flow of information and supporting the ED in leading YBLC’s growth.

On a typical day, you’ll coordinate the ED’s calendar, manage meeting preparations, and assist with HR processes, including onboarding and performance reviews. You will also oversee project management tasks, track progress on organizational goals, and facilitate internal and external communications. By liaising with the Board and committees, you’ll ensure that key initiatives remain on track and that all follow-ups are handled with precision. With a focus on collaboration and professionalism, your role will help foster a supportive environment for staff and partners alike, embodying YBLC’s commitment to empowering young adults through education, job training, and leadership development.

Payroll Coordinator | $45,000 Per Year
As our Payroll Coordinator, you play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless payroll operations for both staff and participants within YouthBuild Lake County’s programs. Reporting directly to the HR Manager, you will be entrusted with the accurate and timely processing of payroll, handling transactions with precision, and maintaining meticulous records. Your responsibilities will include overseeing benefits allocations, coordinating payroll schedules, and managing tax and grant requirements, all while ensuring full compliance with payroll regulations. In close collaboration with our third-party payroll processor, you’ll serve as the primary point of contact, verifying reports and coordinating any adjustments to maintain payroll accuracy.
 
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll support HR onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring payroll-related elements are properly managed during employee transitions. From benefits administration to payroll documentation, your expertise will help uphold YBLC’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Your role also includes assisting with internal and financial audits, ensuring all payroll records are in order, and providing essential payroll and benefits information for staff inquiries. With strong data entry skills, confidentiality, and organizational precision, you’ll be an invaluable member of YBLC’s mission-driven team, dedicated to empowering young adults through education, job training, and leadership development.
Apprenticeship Coordinator | $45,760 Per Year

As our Apprenticeship Coordinator, you will be a crucial partner in guiding YBLC participants into fulfilling careers within the trades. Reporting to the Workforce Development Director, your mission will involve connecting participants with registered apprenticeships and career pathways that align with their skills and aspirations. By coordinating hands-on training, overseeing certifications in critical areas such as forklift operation and CPR, and supporting career exploration, you will be instrumental in helping young adults launch stable, meaningful careers. Your role calls for a sharp understanding of workforce development and a passion for empowering young people to achieve sustainable employment.

On any given day, you’ll be facilitating job readiness training, fostering professional development, and cultivating relationships with local employers to create job shadowing and placement opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and data management in Salesforce and IL Works, you’ll ensure that every apprentice receives the resources they need to succeed. Collaborating with the Business Engagement Manager, you’ll pave the way for career placements and track outcomes to meet grant compliance standards. This role demands proactive relationship-building, a commitment to participant success, and an organized approach to managing apprentices’ career journeys.

Program Coordinator | $45,760 Per Year
As our Program Coordinator, you will be the welcoming face of YouthBuild Lake County, ensuring every participant feels supported from the moment they step in. Reporting to the Program Manager, you will coordinate program activities and serve as the main point of contact for participants, providing essential guidance, access to resources, and case management support. In this role, you’ll handle participant documentation, oversee resource allocation, and contribute to creating a welcoming and professional environment at the front desk. Your compassion and organizational skills will be critical in fostering a positive experience that aligns with YBLC’s commitment to participant success.

On a typical day, you’ll be facilitating access to essential services, coordinating participant development activities, and maintaining accurate records in Salesforce to ensure compliance and track progress. As part of the YBLC team, you’ll also build partnerships with community resources, support recruitment efforts, and help plan program events that celebrate participant achievements. Your role combines administrative precision with meaningful participant interaction, making you an integral part of our mission to empower young adults as they pursue education, job training, and career success.