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Program Specialist, School-Age Programs

This job is no longer available

Houston, TX, USA
Full-time

The Program Specialist is the on-the-ground Save the Children (SC) staff member providing technical assistance to partners to ensure the effective coordination, implementation and monitoring of Save the Children after school and summer programs.  The incumbent will work with TEA, districts, school leaders and partners to ensure alignment with district strategic plans, goals and priorities.  Community and parent outreach to ensure programs are sustainable and responsive to parents’ needs are also key responsibilities.  Regional representation and presentations are required of this position.  Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and working as a team member within the state of Texas, the Program Specialist oversees the implementation and delivery of programming and grant monitoring for ten 21stCentury Learning Centers (21st CCLC) in the Golden Triangle area.

Areas of Responsibility: 

Program Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation (50%)

  • Guide and support program staff to ensure quality implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Save the Children’s program models according to established standards.
  • Support in-person and remote training and technical assistance for program staff; maximize the use of technology to do so.
  • Visit each site on a regular basis to observe and monitor site progress and provide appropriate training and technical assistance to all site staff members related to effectively implementing the afterschool programs: Literacy, Math and Healthy Choices programs. Complete site visit reports.
  • Ensure accurate and up-to-date data collection and reporting for each assigned site.
  • Review and analyze program data regularly and address as needed.
  • Oversee afterschool site staff, assess job performance, identify areas and provide resources for improvement, and apply disciplinary action as appropriate and needed per SC HR Policies and Procedures.
  • With partners, ensure site staff are finger printed, background checked and have passed all necessary licensing.
  • In collaboration with partners and schools, interview candidates to fill vacancies and make hiring recommendation to each district’s Human Resources Department.
  • Regularly communicate with the Deputy Director about program implementation challenges and successes and how to resolve complex issues.
  • Organize local and regional trainings.

21st CCLC Grant Support (20%)

  • Provide direct budget support by coordinating with Save the Children finance team and school district finance coordinators
  • Attend and organize necessary coordination meetings with stakeholders on program quality (schools and community partners)
  • Participate in TEA required meetings
  • Understand intricacies of grant requirements and communicate those to partners
  • Create tools for tracking of grant requirements

Partner Operations and Management (10%)

  • Support the Deputy Director with partner management including but not limited to annual partner planning, subaward budget and spending, grant budgets and reports, annual district/site stakeholder meetings, partnership performance management, sponsorship, and emergency/disaster communication and reporting.
  • Meet regularly with district and school leaders and teachers to develop program ownership and long term program sustainability.
  • Ensure timely and accurate incident reporting and necessary follow-up.
  • Support the Deputy Director with identification and assessment of new sites and on boarding of new partners.
  • Provide new sites with start-up support including but not limited to hiring and training program staff, technology and program materials, and Partner Portal usage.
  • Provide logistical support to the Sponsorship staff to obtain correspondence, Annual Family Updates, and assist with special sponsorship projects such as the Primrose partnership.

Local and State Relationships/Advocacy (5%)

  • Ensure regular parent events and activities to create community ownership; build capacity, and provide parenting skills and support.
  • Support the State Director, and program partners as appropriate, with local, regional, and state community engagement activities, and community partnerships/coalitions.
  • Support program partners with media opportunities to highlight SC programs.

Professional Development (10%)

  • Participate in SC Program Specialist calls, meetings, and trainings.
  • Stay current on relevant national standards and best practices. Share knowledge and experience with the national program team and program specialist colleagues.
  • Participate in national program team projects and USP work groups.

Other (5%)

  • Work in collaboration with USPA teams (e.g., Early Childhood; NEHT; Technology, Monitoring and Evaluation; Sponsorship; Policy and Advocacy; Resource Development; Marketing, Communications, and Media).
  • Provide stories from the field to national staff.
  • Support, and contribute as appropriate and requested, to Save the Children priorities and initiatives.
  • Support Deputy Director with VIP visits and other duties as assigned.
  • Collaborate with the Texas Harvey Recovery team as needed.
Educational Background: 
High School diploma or equivalent required;
Skills/Experience: 
  • Minimum 3-5 years’ experience required in elementary education 
  • In-depth knowledge of grant, financial and subgrant management 
  • Experience as a trainer/mentor/coach in an educational setting
  • Willingness to travel extensively in the state or region and nationally as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in education, child development or related field preferred; Master’s degree a plus.
  • A strong foundation in relationship-based work and supervision.
  • Knowledge of elementary age literacy programming a plus
  • After school program management experience
  • Knowledge and experience using reflective practice.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated capacity as a team player and relationship builder.
  • Demonstrated organizational and management skills related to program implementation.
  • Experience developing and delivering training and technical assistance in-person and remotely.
  • Proven experience working effectively with limited-resource communities.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills including through the use of technology.
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable to dynamic changes in the work environment.
  • Experience with working in rural communities with limited resources, and working with families who are economically challenged is preferred.
Compensation/Benefits: 
  • Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
  • A family friendly work environment
  • Highly collaborative and innovative teams
  • Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
  • Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
  • Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
  • Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
  • Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities, as well as language learning opportunities

Organization Info

Save the Children US

Overview
Headquarters: 
Fairfield, CT, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1964
About Us
Mission: 

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in nearly 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to create immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. in times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Save the Children is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 30 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 14 2018
Active Until: 
Sep 14 2018
Hiring Organization: 
Save the Children US
industry: 
Nonprofit