Spark seeks a Program Coordinator for our Bay Area region, focused on program implementation in San Francisco, Oakland and Bayview.
To accelerate a career in the education and nonprofit sectors, and help us fulfill our mission, successful candidates will demonstrate exceptional project management experience, the ability to inspire and engage middle school students, and a make-it-work mentality. Candidates will also embody Spark’s Core Values: being a student and a mentor, loving what you do, taking positive risks and dreaming big, creating meaningful change in the world and making diversity a priority.
Reporting to the Managing Director (MD) of California Regions, the Program Coordinator (PC) will lead implementation of Spark’s apprenticeship program to prepare at-risk 7th and 8th graders to be ready, engaged, and on-track for high school. A successful Program Coordinator drives Spark’s day-to-day implementation at two to three partner schools, resulting in consistently engaged students, supportive families, collaborative school staff partnerships, and enthusiastic mentors.
Lead Program Implementation with Partner Schools
Manage 2-3 school partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of the Spark program;
Develop and maintain a strong system of communication and support with school staff to ensure their successful management of program operations and implementation of weekly leadership class;
Ensure consistent support of student engagement and safety, and implementation of student check-ins, leveraging volunteer interns when available;
Cultivate motivational relationships with each student throughout the Spark cycle, including student enrollment, matching, apprenticeships, and celebration;
Lead matching efforts for placement of students with mentors throughout the city aligned with student skills and desires, transportation safety, and volunteer strengths and availability;
Ensure quality apprenticeship experiences through regular assessments, including frequent site visits;
Raise awareness of Spark through involvement in school activities leading to greater staff and parent support for the program and greater programmatic impact on school climate.
Implement Spark’s evaluation methods, including ensuring reporting and integrity of all participation, impact, and quality data, as well as compliance requirements;
Support the growth of Spark’s program through donor visits to program in action at schools and/or apprenticeship locations and external communications.
Volunteer Recruitment, Management & Operations
As part of the program team, develop seasonal and year-long apprenticeship recruitment strategy plans;
With guidance from the Director of External Relations and Events, actively cultivate new relationships with companies and individuals through networking and direct outreach to secure partnerships;
Liaise with the Managing Director and the national staff in providing timely data for grant applications as well as supporting potential or existing donor visits to program in action at schools and/or apprenticeship locations;
Oversee matching efforts for placement of students with mentors throughout the city and support the planning of student transportation to and from their apprenticeships;
Maintain regular communication with volunteers to ensure high-quality volunteer experiences, provide coaching as needed, and document support and coaching efforts in Spark’s database.
Support external communication about volunteer recruitment in media outlets, organizational newsletters, websites and blogs, and bulletins;
Ensure Spark compliance steps for all volunteers including management of background checks, approving workplace locations, and other Spark policies;
Coach, support and lead partners to manage “Discovery Night,” the culminating celebration event of each Spark session at each school partner site.
Qualifications
2+ years of work experience, ideally in the non-profit or education sectors; for-profit experience welcomed;
Demonstrated track record of motivating and inspiring disengaged middle school youth;
Results-focused, highly organized self-starter who works effectively in teams and independently with a high degree of resourcefulness;
Ability to confidently manage a high-volume, deadline-driven workload with poise and optimism;
Experience managing projects in partnership with school administration, teachers and families;
Significant cross-cultural competency and strong interpersonal skills;
Exemplary time management and organization skills; analytical skills a plus;
Experience managing volunteers or staff a plus;
Proficiency in Google and Microsoft products (e.g. Drive, Docs, Sheets, Word, and Excel), and databases (specifically Salesforce experience a plus);
Bachelor’s degree required;
Spanish proficiency a plus;
Legally eligible to work in the United States; no sponsorship provided.
In addition, to be successful as a member of the Spark team in this role, you will:
Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, operating with a results-orientation and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks with limited time and resources;
Have a proactive personality; no work is ‘beneath’ you and you are eager to serve others, rolling up your sleeves when necessary;
Demonstrate mature judgment, with a high level of personal and professional responsibility, integrity and trustworthiness;
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills;
Have a sense of humor, even under stress;
Be comfortable giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback;
Have a strong desire to impact an up-and-coming nonprofit organization;
Value relationships and accountability, empowering others to achieve superior results.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: Commensurate with experience.
Health Benefits: Full health coverage is provided, including medical, dental and vision no more 30 days after an employee’s first day. Spark covers up to 100% of monthly premiums, and 50% of the monthly premiums for dependents. Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care are offered. A life insurance policy providing $50,000 of coverage is also included.
Learning Benefits: Spark highly values staff’s personal learning pursuits. Priority is placed on opportunities to pursue your choice of professional training opportunities, including workshops, conferences, etc.
Retirement Benefits: For all contributions through Spark’s 401K plan, Spark will match retirement contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of total salary in 2015.
Paid Time Off: Spark staff may take time off based on the status of their work-related goals and results within the organization. This policy is part of Spark’s focus on a balanced and healthy life for staff.
Non-Monetary Compensation: The opportunity to be an integral member of an energetic, innovative, hard-working and rapidly growing team, within an organization that has the potential to significantly change American middle-school education.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a targeted start date of September 1, 2015 or earlier. To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to bajobs@sparkprogram.org. Please indicate “Program Coordinator – Bay Area” as well as your full name in the subject line.