Training Manager, City Year

Posted by on June 27, 2011

Training Manager, City Year

Posted on: June 14, 2011

Organization’s Mission and Goals

City Year was founded in 1988 on the belief that young people can change the world. The organization unites 17-24 year olds of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in 20 U.S. locations and in South Africa. This year, more than 1,550 City Year corps members are serving on diverse teams in schools and communities. City Year received more than 7,000 applications for 1,550 corps member positions for the 2010-2011 program year.

City Year is committed to engaging community members, corporate partners, and civic leaders in this work, and together we’re building a citizen service movement that is larger than our organization, our lifetime, and ourselves. City Year’s vision is that one day the most commonly asked question of a young person will be, “Where are you going to do your service year?”

City Year Service

At City Year’s 22 locations young people serve as AmeriCorps members full time for 10 months. These diverse and dedicated leaders put their idealism to work for children and communities especially through school-based service, as well as youth leadership programs and community transformation.

City Year is focused on significantly reducing the high school dropout rate in each of our target cities. Through City Year’s Whole School, Whole Child service model, City Year deploys diverse teams of full-time corps members in schools to help students stay on track – and get back on track – to graduate. Corps members serve in schools as tutors, mentors, role models and leaders of after-school programs. As near-peers, corps members are uniquely able to help improve student attendance, behavior and coursework – which research confirms are indicators of a student’s likelihood of graduating from high school. This school-based service is at the heart of City Year’s approach to helping students and schools succeed.

Another important way corps members share their belief in service and their commitment to helping children is by leading programs that teach elementary, middle school and high school students about how to be active citizens in their communities and make a difference. In addition to helping schools and students succeed, City Year corps members engage community members, corporate partners and civic leaders in transformative physical service such as painting murals, planting gardens, creating playspaces, renovating schools and refurbishing community centers.

Position Overview

CYGP seeks a highly motivated, well-organized Training Manager to implement and support its training programs and events for corps members. The perfect candidate will have a strong vision for implementing a training program that is high impact and provides a strong background for CYGP’s 225 corps members to implement excellent services armed with education and developmentally appropriate skills, strategies, and program content that engage youth, and support their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. The training manager will also provide engaging, relevant learning experiences that appeal to multiple learning intelligences to develop corps member’s leadership competencies through large and small group workshops, trainings, reflection exercises, and a host of other leadership development activities. The training manager must demonstrate continuous ability to set goals, implement, assess, and revamp the training program and calendar to continuously improve the corps member experience. In partnership with other program staff, the training manager will develop a toolbox of resources for corps members to reference during service that will specifically guide corps members in addressing attendance, positive climate, and afterschool activities that align with school district curricula and whenever possible, capitalize on the resources provided by City Year’s national office education staff. The qualified candidate will use his/her expertise combined with strategic partnerships he/she had developed with the school district, independent schools, local higher education institutions, non and for profit organizations, and other entities to bring the best resources to the corps members.

Job Summary

The Training Manager reports directly to the Service & Education Partnerships Director and is responsible for the management, implementation and continuous improvement of CYGP’s Civic Leadership Development Program to young adults 17-24 and by coordinating effective and relevant trainings with external vendors and developing and delivering internal trainings on City Year service products. These trainings will directly impact the quality of service corps members provide through skill development and reflection and identity exploration activities.

Responsibilities

Implement, Strengthen and Manage Civic Leadership Program:

Understand the vision set by the Service & Education Partnerships Director and Deputy Director of Program & Service and set an implementation plan for the training program that supports the development of skills that align with AmeriCorps, City Year and the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) goals
Collaborate with Program & Service Leadership staff to make sure trainings offerings will help meet all goals
Develop a year long program and calendar for young leaders which provides training and support for their service as well as develops their civic leadership skills
Work with Deputy Director of Program and Service and other Program & Service Leadership staff to develop a cutting-edge Service Leader program including coordinating all necessary trainings a
Evaluate trainings and training program to ensure trainings are meeting internal and external partners’ needs
Work with City Year Headquarters to share best practices in training and to continue to develop the Civic Leadership Program
Lead the senior corps in a leadership development reflection experience and prepares them to lead the corps in their own similar leadership development reflection experience
Provide training and background to staff on the leadership development curricula
Coordinate trainings needs with HR Director to ensure efficient use of resources, when appropriate
Provide opportunities for exposure to various career path options and networking relationships through the Life After City Year (LACY) plans and activities
Collaborate with consultants and other experts selected by City Year to provide advice and support to improving our service
Develop and Implement Trainings and Resources:
Work with City Year staff to identify training needs for young leaders
Plan and execute all training events, including Basic Training Academy (BTA) a multi-week training experience held for the entire corps before members enter the schools, the Basic Training Retreat (BTR) a three-day, two-night training that is held offsite for the entire corps and focuses on building a culture of diversity and inclusion, Advanced Training Academy (ATA), a three day training event held half-way through the corps service year and Leadership Development Days (LDDs), held two Fridays each month
Provide and assess needs for on-going trainings in schools based on feedback from Program Staff, service partners, corps members, and personal observations and assessments. Make accommodations as is necessary
Establish a library or resources in the office for corps members and staff to reference to address all aspects of service implementation and whenever possible, provide these resources on an individual or team basis for to be housed a the service site.
Identify and secure ideal locations/venues for trainings in partnership with the Program Operations Manager and Project Leader
Develop and Lead External Speakers & Other Resource Relationships:
Identify key people in CYGP who can support the development of the training program.
Develop and manage external relationships with trainers across the CYGP region
Identify, screen and secure all external and internal trainers

Manage Pro-Serve Project Leader/Senior Corps Member:

Manages one project leader (Senior Corps member) who assists in planning all trainings and other leadership development activities
Oversees the project leader who is the lead planner for Camp City Year, which is held during the School District’s spring break. The training manager is the staff point for this corps member organized event
Conduct formal performance reviews twice yearly and hold weekly one on one meetings with the project leader in addition to ongoing communication as needed

Participate in Organizational Initiatives:

Devote one hour per week to corps member recruitment efforts, including phone calls, interviews, and flyering
Attend Serve a thon, MLK Day, National Youth Service Day, Annual Tribute Dinner and other site-wide designated events
Attend overnight events including Basic Training Retreat, Academy – a conference for all City Year Staff held in Boston and other events as needed

Other duties as assigned:

The training manager will assume other tasks as delegated by his/her supervisor

Qualifications

Two or more years of experience in training staff or young adults in the nonprofit, corporate or government sector
Knowledge and experience implementing various training methodologies to engage and appeal to varied learning modalities
Experience coordinating and managing interactive trainings with practical learning outcomes for adult learners
Knowledge of trainers and training resources in the CYGP area
Excellent written and oral skills, partnership-building, and event planning skills
A proven record of successfully communicating with large and small groups of diverse personalities
Ability to inspire and lead large groups through challenging situations with positive results
Proven management and leadership capabilities, independent worker, and keen attention to detail
Excellent time management skills
Passion for working with 17-24 year olds
Ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
BA/BS degree preferred or extensive relevant experience
Knowledge of educational systems, preferably with the School District of Philadelphia and Youth Development
City Year / AmeriCorps / Peace Corps experience a plus

How to apply

Qualified applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and references to:

Kyle Casey, Special Projects Assistant
kcasey@cityyear.org
(no phone calls please)