Director of Vocational Programming, YouthBuild Philadelphia

Posted by on May 16, 2011

Director of Vocational Programming, YouthBuild Philadelphia

Posted on: May 6, 2011

Background

The YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is an academic and job-training program for young adults who have dropped out of high school. Students in the program alternate six-week sessions between the classroom site, where they attend academic classes, and develop career-related, leadership and life skills, and a vocational-training site (building trades, computer technology or nursing) where they develop real-world work skills. Originally chartered in 1997, the School enrolls approximately 220 students each year. Regular hours for full-time position are from 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Mission

Our mission is to provide out of school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools supports and opportunities available to become self sufficient, responsible and productive citizens in their community. The emphasis is on transitioning them successfully so that they will succeed in top-quality training schools, colleges, union apprenticeship programs, other careers and the competitive world beyond.

Core Values
Excellence * Perseverance * Respect *

Job Description
The Director of Vocational Programming is required to perform the following duties:

Educational Operations:
– Believe deeply in the mission and values of YouthBuild Philadelphia.

– Vocational-Training Program Development

o Oversee the development of vocational-training curricula, lesson plans and evaluation tools for multiple academic levels that prepare “at-risk” students for job placement and/or post-secondary training.

o Research and develop vocational curricula and programming that address the needs of groups of multi-level learners with literacy and numeracy levels ranging from elementary through 12th Grade.

o Research and develop vocational curricula that uses nationally-documented best practices for serving at-risk, out-of-school youth.

o Keep informed of changes with industry standards and credentialing requirements.

o Establish and maintain vocational-training partnerships in connection with program goals and outcomes.

– Instruction

o Provide classroom coaching and monitoring to support quality curriculum implementation and ensure best instructional practices are being used.

o Working closely with other program managers to ensure that academic teachers, vocational instructors, case managers, tutors and other program-related staff have the best skills and resources possible to effectively serve the students.

-Coordination

o Coordinate support for vocational-training curricula in other departments.
o Promote the integration of relevant and appropriate hands-on, work-based learning components across YouthBuild Philadelphia academic, transitions, and service-learning programming.

Performance Outcomes

o Achieve vocational-training performance objectives through continuous monitoring of student-performance data, including attendance data.

o Make all necessary adjustments and interventions in the vocational-training programs in order to achieve the vocational-training performance objectives.

– Educational Leadership:

o Provide on-site coaching and monitoring to support quality instruction.

o Participate in planning for all-school professional development.

o Supervision and evaluation of a team of 10 vocational-training instructors and 2 AmeriCorps members.

o Supervision and administration for vocational-training programs.

o Support vocational-training program expansion efforts.

o Participate in the strategic planning process.

o Support and advise senior management on best ways to maintain an organizational climate and culture which attracts, keeps and motivates top quality vocational-training instructors.

o Lead and supervise department meetings, and also participate in all-staff meetings, as required.

Program Involvement:

o Participate in community-service projects in keeping with the school’s strong service-learning emphasis.

Professional Development:
o Continue to develop skills through trainings and professional development offered at the school and outside.

o Maintain knowledge of trends related to education of out-of-school youth.

o Advise senior management on professional development options and opportunities for all staff.

– Other duties as assigned by the Program Director and the Executive Director.

– Be accountable to the Program Director.

Qualification Requirements:

o Bachelor’s Degree

o Act 34, 114 and 151 clearances

o Experience in vocational-program design, development and implementation

o Experience serving “at-risk” youth

Qualification Requirements:

o Bachelor’s Degree

o Act 34, 114 and 151 clearances

o Experience in vocational-program design, development and implementation

o Experience serving “at-risk” youth

To apply, send letter of interest and resume to Frederick Bader, Human Resources Coordinator, at fbader@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “Vocational Director” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.