Volunteer Associate, Philadelphia Youth Network

Posted by on November 26, 2012

Volunteer Associate
Dec. 2012-June 2013

General Description: Presently, PYN is seeking a candidate who will help expand the organization’s external relations efforts with a focus on connecting students’ academic learning to real-world experts and experiences. Examples include engaging community professionals to review student work and serve as validators of technical skill attainment.

The Volunteer Associate will primarily support two projects:

• Gates Project: Students are learning English Language Arts through the production of a variety of original student works. Many of these skills focus on digital knowledge. The project focuses on the mastery of skills and content. Two principles associated with this include receiving exposure to real-world content, feedback and assessments. As students complete ELA projects, it is necessary to provide them with access to experts from the field within which they are researching or producing learning artifacts. Experts will provide guidance, content knowledge and critical feedback of the student’s work.

• Badges Project: Participating students will be introduced to the technical skills involved in digital filmmaking. As they produce their works, students will receive electronic recognition of their accomplishments which can be displayed on individual profiles. In this context, community partners and volunteers are sought to provide students with internships, incentives, feedback and recognition of their creative productions.

Essential Functions:

• Identify community and industry based partners to serve as content experts, mentors, work reviewers and project developers for youth and programs with an education focus or objective.
• Orient and train volunteers to utilize learning and communications systems and provide feedback on student work
• Maintain and coordinate communication with and among external volunteers, School District of Philadelphia stakeholders, and PYN Leadership and staff
• Serve as liaison to external networks and communications outlets
• Engage sponsors to offer and provide students an array of participation and achievement incentives
• Maintain contacts via centralized databases
• Develop and disseminate outreach and recruitment materials
• Other duties as assigned

Education, Experience & Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Demonstrated success collaborating with other educational, social or governmental systems
• Knowledge of local and national education reform and workforce development strategies
• Knowledge of project and challenge based learning pedagogies and strategies
• Effective training and facilitation skills
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong research skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to take ownership and drive responsibilities through to completion
• Ability to manage projects and/or relationships independently
• Ability to convene and motivate teams and diverse populations
• Must be highly flexible and adaptable
• Strong organizational, analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to integrate technology into operations
• Familiarity with PYN initiatives is preferred, but not required
• Successful completion of a child abuse clearance, criminal background check, and FBI clearance

To apply, send resume and cover letter to:

Stephanie Gambone
Vice President, External Relations
Philadelphia Youth Network
714 Market Street, Suite 304
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 267-502-3726 / Fax: 267-502-3826
sgambone@pyninc.org / http://www.pyninc.org