Program Specialist, SpeakUp!

Posted by SpeakUp! on October 30, 2018

SpeakUp! is a leading nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization located in the Philadelphia area dedicated to empowering teens to thrive by strengthening communication, relationships and help seeking among teens and the adults in their life. SpeakUp!’s innovative, youth-led, school-based program supports teens and adults in having the kind of conversations that can lead to support and guidance.

SpeakUp! focuses on the fact that no matter what the problem is – stress, drugs, alcohol, depression, anxiety, suicide, relationships, social media or others -the solution always begins with realizing you are not alone and having the courage to speak up and ask for help. Partnering with over 40 middle and high schools, SpeakUp!’s pioneering programs are proven to strengthen 4000 teens, families and school adults each year. SpeakUp! has been identified as a best practice organization in strength-based, positive youth development and resiliency.

Position Overview: SpeakUp! staff have been directly delivering our program in schools for 17 years and are now moving to a deeper school engagement model whereby we are training, coaching and supporting school adults (administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, coaches and other faculty) to deliver the program with our technical assistance and tools. As a result, SpeakUp! is seeking a Program Specialist with experience in youth development and/or education who can quickly develop mastery of our unique approach and become fully prepared to train and support their assigned schools in delivering the program with fidelity to the model. This position requires interacting well with a wide array of people including school adults, students, parents, and professionals. The Program Specialists is a salaried, exempt, full time, 10-month position. The Program Specialist reports to the Program Director and is additionally supported and supervised by the Director of Counseling and Program Development. Each Program Specialist is assigned to lead program implementation on a portfolio of schools and supports the other Program Specialists with their schools.

Specific Responsibilities: Develop mastery of SpeakUp!’s unique strength-based, positive youth development approach:

• Demonstrate mastery in communicating about the toughest topics and develop expert knowledge of information and resources related to our most frequently identified breakout topics.
• When appropriate, effectively co-facilitate breakout sessions to provide additional support and training.
• Identify signs and symptoms of potential problems and bridge participants to appropriate support, when necessary.
• Deliver our intentional, structured program in a way that continues to feel natural, informal, interactive and organic to participants.
• Assess school’s ability and readiness to implement SpeakUp!’s programming using SpeakUp!’s partnership rubric and other tools based on the stages of change model.
• Build our relationship/partnership with schools whereby they understand the SpeakUp! model and how deeper school engagement can help them reach their goals for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), student leadership development, parent engagement, professional development and early intervention.
• Gain a deep understanding of the culture, climate, and ecology of your assigned schools.
• Help your schools to set goals and plan successful program implementation and outreach to maximize participation and outcomes.
• Using interactive presentation and training modules, train, coach, model, and support school adults in implementing the SpeakUp! Program with integrity to the model.
• Work with schools to identify and address any implementation barriers.
• Using SpeakUp!’s data collection and reporting instruments, help schools track progress and adjust tactics accordingly.
• Develop mastery of SpeakUp!’s technology platform (a web-based system for managing registration, communication, room assignments, and data reporting).
• Partner with SpeakUp!’s Program Coordinator to execute and document all program-related activities.
• Provide leadership for planning, outreach, implementation and follow up for select SpeakUp!’s Continue the Conversation (CTC) programs, including the Parent Coffee Series, Student Advisory Group, Student Alumni Group, Volunteer Program, Facilitator Training and more.
• Support the Program Director in program development and successfully execute special projects and activities as assigned.
• Continue to develop knowledge and skills to increase professionalism and add value and leadership to the strength-based, positive youth development field.

Qualifications: SpeakUp! requires the following qualifications for this position:
• Bachelor’s degree (master’s degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling or related fields preferred).
• Three to five years of experience in schools and/or youth development settings.
• Value diversity and strive for equity and inclusion with both internal and external partners.
• Mastery in positive youth development principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of school supports and community resources available to youth and families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to present to large and small groups.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, intense, highly collaborative and flexible work environment.
• Knowledge and experience in effective partnership development and strong customer service.
• Strong interpersonal, motivational and problem-solving skills
• Relate well to teens in a respectful, engaging, energizing and professional manner.
• High integrity in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Prezi.
• Willingness and ability to work our evening programs. Required Clearances (current and completed prior to employment):

• Pennsylvania State Criminal Record Check.
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
• Federal Criminal History Record.

Physical Requirements: Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required:
• Traveling to schools: valid driver’s license and access to your own transportation when necessary.
• Functioning in office space: reaching file cabinets, filing, faxing, scanning, copying, typing, mailing, making phone calls.
• Must be able to sit for up to two hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse and typing.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

HOW TO APPLY Please submit a cover letter, including references and resume to hr@speakup.org. No calls please.