Program Fellow, Spark Program

Posted by Spark Philadelphia on June 11, 2018

Spark seeks a Program Fellow for each of our Philadelphia region.

Successful candidates will demonstrate personal responsibility, relationship building, communication, and project management skills, as well as drive, motivation, high-energy, perseverance and a get-it-done mentality. Candidates will also embody Spark’s Core Values: be a student and a mentor, work with passion and compassion, commit to collaboration and diversity, aim high and true, and trust and respect in all relationships.

Reporting to a Program Manager (PM), the Program Fellow (PF) will support implementation of Spark’s career exploration and self-discovery program that helps middle school students understand, experience and pursue what’s possible. The Program Fellow is responsible for leading outreach, enrollment, and support for students, family communications, and program logistics. Other key responsibilities include supporting programmatic operations including student transportation, execution of opening and culminating events, and coordinating evaluation efforts. The role requires regular onsite visits at schools and workplaces, and collaboration with other Spark staff.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Logistics, Student/Family Engagement, and Evaluation

• Build relationships
• Regularly, formally and informally, connect with students to support their ongoing success and navigate challenges and concerns
• Conduct student interviews to create meaningful mentor matches
• Communicate directly with mentors and families regarding student attendance and behavior in real time
• Engage students’ families to support their consistent participation in Spark programming
• Ensure consistent support of student safety. Communicate any concerns to the school’d Program Manager.
• Lead student travel on private busses to and from the school and company sites.
• Manage and support program quality through formal observations, surveys, and other tools.
• Coordinate and attend Spark events, including student and family information sessions and orientations, Match Days, and Share Your Spark.
• Assist in inputting, tracking and analyzing attendance and impact data to ensure delivery of a high-quality, high-impact program.
• Share stories, videos, and pictures of students and mentors with the Spark team for development purposes.
• Liaison with school partners to support student engagement and program implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Expected and recent college or university graduates are welcome to apply
• Have previous experience motivating and working with students (middle school aged preferred)
• Be hard-working, accountable, and able to work autonomously
• Be organized, prepared, and detailed oriented
• Be comfortable with student behavior management
• Be comfortable communicating with multiple stakeholders
• Be flexible and able to adapt to changes quickly
• Strong oral and written communication, relationship building and people skills;
• 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:
  o Be an independent, results-focused, highly-organized self-starter;
  o Have a strong desire to impact an up-and-coming nonprofit organization;
  o Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, operating with a results- orientation and exceptional attention to detail;
  o Have a proactive personality; no work is ‘beneath’ you and you are eager to serve others, rolling up your sleeves when necessary;
  o Demonstrate mature judgment, with a high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness;
  o Have a sense of humor, even under stress;
  o Be comfortable giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback;
  o Value relationships and accountability, empowering others to achieve superior results.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $25,000 for a 10-month Fellowship; $2,500 monthly salary.

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 a portion 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 employee contributions through Spark’s 401K plan, Spark provides a discretionary match.

Paid Time Off: Fellows receive 10 Paid Time Off days during the 10-month Fellowship.

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.

Career Opportunities