Director of Vocational Programming, YouthBuild Philadelphia

Posted by on November 27, 2011

Director of Vocational Programming, YouthBuild Philadelphia

Posted on: November 14, 2011

Background: The YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is an innovative alternative education program for high school dropouts, ages 18-21, to earn their diplomas and learn vital job skills. The comprehensive, nationally-recognized program combines rigorous academics, hands-on vocational training, community service, and wraparound support services. YouthBuild enrolls between approximately 200 students each year and prepares them to transition to post-secondary education and employment. Since 1992, over 1700 former high school dropouts have earned diplomas at YouthBuild Philadelphia. Regular hours for this 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 and leaders in their community.

Job Description:

The Director of Vocational Programming is responsible for the overall development and operations of YouthBuild’s vocational training program. Students at YouthBuild spend half their time in a hands-on training program – construction, healthcare, or technology – and earn an industry-recognized certification. The program is constantly evolving to meet the demands of the local job market and post-secondary institutions, including job training programs. The Director is responsible for developing curriculum, building partnerships, and working closely with the YouthBuild management team to continually innovate and oversee a successful vocational training program.

Required Responsibilities:

Partnership Development

Establish and maintain partnerships in connection with program goals and outcomes, including existing partnerships with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Orleans Technical Institute, Community College of Philadelphia, the Energy Coordinating Agency, Metropolitan Career Center, and District 1199C Training.

Establish and maintain partnerships with potential employers and internship providers, including local unions, trade associations, general/independent contractors, and other relevant businesses.

Educational Operations:

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

Keep informed of changes with industry standards and credentialing requirements, to ensure that students are earning meaningful, industry recognized certifications

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

Instruction

Provide classroom coaching and monitoring to support quality curriculum implementation

Ensure the use of best instructional practices in all vocational training programs

Program Operations:

Support the coordination of students’ post-secondary placement by ensuring that students are exposed internships, college classes, and other post-secondary opportunities.

Work closely with the program management team to ensure that academic teachers, vocational instructors, case managers, tutors and other staff have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively support the vocational program.

Promote the integration of relevant and appropriate hands-on, work-based learning components across the program’s academic, transition, and service-learning programming.

Performance Outcomes

Achieve vocational training performance objectives through continuous monitoring of student-performance data.

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

Leadership

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

Supervision and administration for all vocational training programs.

Support vocational training program expansion efforts.

Participate in the strategic planning process.

Support and advise senior management on best practices to maintain an organizational climate and culture which attracts, retains and motivates top quality vocational training instructors.

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

Program Involvement:

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

Professional Development:

Continue to develop skills through trainings and professional development offered at the school and outside.
Maintain knowledge of trends related to education of out-of-school youth.
Advise senior management on professional development options and opportunities for all staff.
Other duties as assigned by the Program Director and the Executive Director.

Qualification Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree
Experience in vocational-program design, development and implementation
Experience serving “at-risk” youth

To apply: Send letter of interest and resume to Frederick Bader, HR Coordinator at fbader@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “Director of Vocational Programming” the subject line. No phone calls, please.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/KXJN3t6jC5sP/