Adult Literacy Program Assistant Director, Mayor’s Commission on Literacy

Posted by on May 29, 2012

Adult Literacy Program Assistant Director

The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy is moving forward dynamically to create a system that engages all adults in Philadelphia in lifelong learning for their economic success, civic engagement, and personal development.  The Adult Literacy Program Assistant Director is a member of a closely-knit staff team that will develop a learning management system for adult literacy in Philadelphia, establish standards, develop community partnerships, develop volunteerism, raise quality, evaluate, and extend services on a very large scale (500,000 + learners).  This work will require significant knowledge of workforce literacy and the use of new learning technologies, including web-based and mobile learning.  It will also require experience in change management, systems change, and community development.   The Mayor’s Commission assists literacy and workforce development providers and public and private partners throughout Philadelphia with the tools, skills, capacity and knowledge they need to build communities of learners throughout the city, and to achieve the vision of Philadelphia becoming a national leader in literacy.

Required skills, credentials and experience:
•    Bachelors’ required, Master’s degree preferred in social science, education, project management, or a closely related field.
•    Knowledge of and experience with adult education or with the learner population for adult literacy,   and extensive knowledge of workforce education systems and workforce literacy are essential.
•    Experience with high-quality, interactive, Web 2.0-based learning management systems, andragogy online and face to face, and proven skill in professional development and leadership of online education, preferably in a not-for-profit higher education or secondary education environment.
•    Demonstrated ability to work with community-based organizations in Philadelphia; experience as a trainer of adult educators. Outstanding public speaking/presentation skills; outstanding written skills.
•    Knowledge of adult literacy, workforce preparation, adult education providers, social service agencies and neighborhood resources in Philadelphia.
•    Understanding of distance learning best practices, platforms, and use of social networking tools in adult education.
•    Experience with program development in adult education and workforce development.
•    Research and data-driven. Experience with change strategies. Experience in building learning communities.   Experience with digital curriculum development and best practices in teaching using instructional technologies.
•    Must be a team player, highly collaborative, and have a passion for very hard work.
•    Ability to work well in diverse neighborhoods, with diverse populations, including the full spectrum of immigrant populations in Philadelphia.

Responsibilities will include:
•    Provide technical assistance, coaching, guidance and analysis of the work of community-based partners in the neighborhood-based learning communities.  Approximately 40% of the Assistant Director’s time will be devoted to this.
•    Establish and manage online learning systems city-wide, including basic and advanced faculty and curriculum development for providers, monitoring of providers’ work, and data collection on progress.
•    Coach partners in the field; design and run workshops for specific professional development and organizational development to promote best practices in workforce literacy.
•    Research, compile, and develop  curricula that incorporate practical  applications that teach literacy, numeracy, digital skills, information literacy, and “soft” skills along with work skills in particular industry sectors, both online and face to face;
•    Participate actively in researching, making recommendations, and arranging offerings of the Philadelphia Adult Literacy Alliance for the advancement of city-wide advancement in workforce literacy;
•    Budget management and compliance with guidelines set by funders and The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy;

•    Provide timely information for marketing and communications staff  and to the field for all activities;

•    Develop proposals for project activities and for funding;

•    Represent the agency in appropriate forums;

•    Participate in agency events and activities as appropriate, including evenings and weekends as needed;

•    Participate in and support all team and other Mayor’s Commission activities;

•    Provide support on request for mailings, phone coverage, or logistics of meetings as needed.
•    Data analysis and reporting to the staff and board of the Commission, funders, and the field to inform program improvement make recommendations for future work, and on progress toward achieving goals.
•    Model, identify, and implement expert distance, face to face, and blended learning.
Reports to the Director of Adult Literacy Programs

Salary $50,000.

Expected start date:  July 1, 2012

This position is an Exempt City of Philadelphia position.  Only residents of the City of Philadelphia with appropriate credentials and experience are eligible to apply.

To apply for this position:  Submit all of the following documents electronically
1.     A detailed cover letter expressing specifically how your education, experience and skills are relevant to the required skills and job responsibilities specified in this posting.
2.   Attach a detailed résumé.  Include home address showing Philadelphia residence in the application materials.
3.    Provide names, titles and contact information, including daytime phone and email address of three references, and indicate for each one the nature of the person’s relationship to you.  Ideally, references should include one recent or current supervisor; a recent or current professional colleague; and a subordinate.
4.   Provide examples of your range of professional work.  You may provide URLs for materials that are currently available online.

Send all documents to:  Dr. Judith Renyi at [email protected]
Submit applications immediately.  Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews will begin in June, with an expectation of filling this position in July, 2012.