Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has worked with and provided New York City children from low-income communities free summer experiences. More than 1.8 million children have been served through two core program areas, the Fresh Air Camps on Sharpe Reservation or through visits to volunteer host families in states from North Carolina and Virginia to Maine, and into southern Canada. Since 1994, The Fresh Air Fund has supported complementary year-round academic enrichment programs together with tutoring and mentoring, in addition to a Career-Awareness Program, a College Connections Program, and a Teen Leadership Program. The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Presently, each year, nearly 7,000 boys and girls participate in Fresh Air programs.
The Fresh Air Fund is recruiting an accomplished senior manager to lead the Director of Friendly Towns program area.
Friendly Towns, is a signature program area for FAF from the organization’s historical roots. Today, Fresh Air children are recruited from communities across New York City and welcomed into the homes of volunteer host families across 13 states from North Carolina and Virginia to Maine, and into southern Canada for a one to two-week visit. A robust network of over 400 volunteers serve as key ambassadors and program partners in communities. These volunteers are recruiters for new volunteer host families, interview prospective families, support local outreach and marketing opportunities, and support the summer season of FAF children visiting the area. The Friendly Towns’ program is supported by a team of professionals in NYC’s FAF offices and works collaboratively with the various portfolios in the organization.
Responsibilities
Provide leadership and manage a portfolio with various intersections on community engagement with New York City families, volunteer host families, children, and volunteer leaders.
Develop and oversee seamless operational process for the network of Friendly Towns on volunteer host family applications, background checks, and interviews. Similarly, oversee a seamless process on participant/host applications, review and interviews, matching children, and transportation.
Overall supervision and leadership of Friendly Town conference in early winter with a focus on volunteer development, connections, and support for successful summer seasons.
Overall supervision and leadership for summer season from June through August, and all aspects of Friendly Town rollout for thousands of New York City children and volunteer host families.
Host and attend volunteer engagement meetings and events to better support Friendly Towns.
Monitor and evaluate program impact through data analysis on return of host families, recruitment of new families, and return of NYC children to Friendly Town program.
Monitor child development opportunities and challenges, and work through programmatic solutions to help support NYC children and families, and work with Supportive Services to ensure that the safety and well-being of children are a priority.
Manage a team of professionals who support work in the field and manage transportation needs of summer season and more. Manage interns and seasonal staff who help support summer season.
Work successfully with overall FAF teams to ensure shared mission and programmatic success for FAF children and families.
Work successfully with and provide support to a robust network of volunteers in Friendly Towns and communities across the Northeast.
Regular communication and support, along with problem solving with volunteer leaders.
Work with NYC children and families and host families in response to needs and to ensure overall program success.
Requirements / Qualifications
Successful track record managing and providing leadership on volunteer management and working with volunteers and community partners in mission driven work.
Operationally strong professional with understanding of efficacy and efficiency in meeting program goals.
Enthusiasm, teamwork focused, and strong customer service orientation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
Effective leadership and team building skills, with a commitment to staff and team development
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Competency on office computer applications (word processing, publications and presentations, spreadsheet and database management)
Possess tact, diplomacy and flexibility
Supervisory skills
Project management skills
Ability to multi-task
BA/BS Degree, Masters preferred
5-7 years experience in the field of children’s services, volunteer management, not-for-profit operations, community development, customer service or equivalent combination of experience, education and training
Minimum of 3 years staff supervisory experience
This position is based out of FAF headquarters in NYC but does require intermittent travel to Friendly Town areas throughout the Northeast. Some evening and weekend meetings are required. The summer season, from June through early September, requires full-time employment.
The Fresh Air Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or disability.
How to apply
Email resumes and cover letters to generalmailbox@freshair.org with Director of Friendly Towns in subject line. No calls please.