Rec Center Program Manager, Mighty Writers

Posted by Mighty Writers on December 11, 2017

JOB DESCRIPTION
Part-Time to Full-Time (optional)
Starting at 25 hours/week

About Mighty Writers
Mighty Writers is a nonprofit that teaches Philadelphia kids, two to 17, to think and write with clarity. Our free, out-of-school writing programs in four Philadelphia neighborhoods have grown to serve 2,500 kids a year. We have four storefront locations (MW South, est. 2009; MW West, est. 2013; MW El Futuro, est. 2015 & MW North, est. 2015) and dozens of in-school programs. This position will aid our expansion into rec centers beginning in 2018.

Position Description
The MW Rec Center Program Manager will oversee management of Mighty Writers programs at Rivera Rec Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, in the Mighty Writers designated classroom. This Mighty Zone will offer with sports-related and other interdisciplinary writing programs to engage youth who attend the rec center and provide a stepping stone to a full-time site. S/he will work with the Mighty Writers leadership team to build and sustain the organization’s thematic workshops and curriculum units for targeted age groups ranging from 7-17. The Rec Center Program Manager will serve as the lead teacher, collect data, and facilitate the writing process for no less than 50 students in Year One, four days/evenings a week, supported by our robust volunteer program.

The MW Rec Center Program Manager reports to Education Director and will managing many aspects of site including daily activities, creating and managing program content and initiatives including the:
• Volunteer/intern program
• Program registration
• Program evaluation
• Site phone calls
• Snack program
• Cleaning and trash

The Program Manager also assists with some administrative tasks such as:
• Light filing
• Data entry
• Document creation

Candidate will have regular interaction with MW upper management and is expected to provide project updates and report on the state of the program.
The successful applicant will be entrepreneurial: able to build unique programs, to be accountable and to take ownership of program results. S/he will have high expectations for students, will work well with diverse constituencies and will have a good rapport with people of all ages and backgrounds, including children, teenagers, parents and volunteers. S/he will be self-motivated, work well under pressure and be able to handle several projects at one time. S/he will have good judgment and an eye for detail; as well as the ability to see the big picture.

Responsibilities

Administrative
• Maintain a physical presence and support programs on-site Mon-Thurs, approx. 2:30-7:30pm
• Design, deliver & manage daily programs for ages 7-17, in collaboration with coaches and other program leads at the Rec Center
• Serve no less than 30 students at your site in daily programming (estimate based on two programs per day, 15 children per program)
• Serve approx. 45-60 students at your site in summer programming (half day camps, 8:30am-12:00pm, summer only)
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to other staff and interns to ensure the continued success of all involved programs: writing workshops and summer camps in year one; option of adding Academy, Teen Scholars, SAT Prep and/or other programs in later years.
• Help to oversee all operations, such as:
o Troubleshoot physical site issues as needed with rec center staff (electric, HVAC, plumbing)o Keep site (writing classroom) in good shape
o Outfit spaces with new/current technology and replace as needed
o Update décor as needed
o Systems (computers, phones)
• Be one of the public faces of the organization and represent Mighty Writers to the media, other organizations and the public at large
• Remain knowledgeable and informed regarding any issues, regulations or professional standards that may impact Mighty Writers’ policies or operations
• Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent or sensitive information

Education and Work Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Arts Administration, Liberal Arts, History, English, Social Work, or Public Administration (preferred, but not required); and/or equivalent prior experience
• Experience working directly with city youth in an educational setting
• Excellent writing skills
• Fluent Spanish speaker

Qualifications
• Minimum of 1-2 years of direct experience working with youth in an education-focused environment
• A strongly held educational philosophy of how to inspire kids to write and succeed
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational, time management and computer skills
• Proven management and leadership capabilities
• Interest, enthusiasm and affinity for working with children, youth and adults

To apply: Please submit resume and cover letter to rloeper@mightywriters.org.

Cover letter should answer these questions:
• What is your educational philosophy of how to inspire kids to write and succeed? Where does this philosophy come from?
• How does your previous work and life experience qualify you to take on this position?

MORE ABOUT MIGHTY WRITERS

We teach Philadelphia kids ages seven to 17 to think and write with clarity so they can achieve success at school, at home and in life.We believe to write with clarity, you have to think clearly first. When you can do both, you tend to make smart decisions. Make enough smart decisions, and success naturally follows. We make every child feel welcomed, celebrated and Mighty by creating writing communities that are equal parts nurturing and striving.

Philly kids, from distressed neighborhoods come to Mighty Writers. Our free-to-all writing centers are in North, South and West Philly, and in the 9th Street Market, where we have a bilingual site for children from the Mexican community. Word of MW goes kid to kid, family to family, neighbor to neighbor. Our best calling card: free, quality and a reputation for hard work.

To teach writing— which we define as the ability to think clearly and write with clearly—to as many Philly kids as we can, as quickly as we can. When kids express their thoughts with confidence, self-esteem soars and eyes become fixed on the prize. With the city dropout rate hovering around 40%, and the school system near broke, we believe literacy should be addressed as an urgent, life-saving mission, and we want to lead the charge. Our goal is to bring Philadelphia from worst to first in youth literacy.

More information can be found at:
• http://www.mightywriters.org
• https://www.facebook.com/MightyWriters
• https://twitter.com/mightywriters

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Mighty Writers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Mighty Writers complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.