What are the responsibilities and job description for the Freedom School Project Director position at CROSSROADS SCHOOL FOR ARTS & SCIENCES?
Job Details
Description
CDF's mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. The CDF Freedom Schools® Program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by Children's Defense Fund in partnership with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer and after-school options for children and youth, and strengthens family and community involvement.
The mission of GDF Freedom Schools programs is to boost student motivations to read, generate more positive attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem, and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. The program serves children and youth in grades K-12 for six to eight weeks. The activity-based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards, integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness. A multi-year assessment of GDF Freedom Schools program sites continuously demonstrates the effectiveness of the IRC, which has proven to avert children's summer learning loss in reading achievement.
The Project Director works in conjunction with the Executive Director to manage operations for their respective GDF Freedom Schools program. The Project Director can serve in this capacity for more than one program site for a sponsor organization. The Project Director should have strong leadership skills with empathy for children and their families.
The Project Director should be committed to the goals of the program, able to work collaboratively with all program constituents, and be familiar with the culture and dynamics of the community.
- Serve as the liaison between the sponsor organization and the program site(s), providing direct supervision, leadership, support, and management of the Site Coordinator.
- Work with site leadership to recruit, hire, and manage adequate staff to operate program(s) and ensure overall quality as outlined by the standards of the GDF Freedom Schools Program. Please note: It is recommended that each position is uniquely filled, however, the Project Director may also serve as the Executive Director.
- Work with site leadership to recruit children and families who are under-resourced.
- Work with site leadership to establish and maintain community partnerships to support successful program implementation and sustainability.
- Attend all required trainings and ensure all program staff attends required trainings.
- Work with site leadership to plan and facilitate local pre and post trainings before and after the Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute National Training.
- Maintain the safety of all staff and scholars, which includes but is not limited to the following:
- Secure staff background checks and clearances.
- Guarantee onsite safety procedures and protocols are in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
- Communicate and confirm that all staff, scholars, and parents have an understanding of site guidelines.
- Provide first aid (mental and physical health) training and materials to staff.
- Work with site leadership to check book inventory upon receipt and notify the CDF Freedom Schools national staff of any discrepancies and/or needs.
- Work with Site Coordinator to distribute books to Servant Leader Interns to support all program components.
- Input all required child, parent/guardian, and staff enrollment data in CDF's reporting system as outlined by CDF.
- Coordinate regular meetings with Site Coordinator to provide supportive feedback, technical assistance, and collect data to share updates with the Executive Director on the site's operation.
- Work with site leadership to ensure that all program components are implemented with fidelity.
- Work with site leadership to establish written policies that outline programmatic safeguards and practices which prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state laws governing your state. This document should be reviewed with staff and made available to them.
- Maintain regular communication and timely correspondence with emails and requests with the CDF Freedom Schools national staff.
- Submit all required documents, data reports, and evaluations to CDF by the required deadline.
Qualifications
- Possess the capacity to successfully manage programs for children, youth, and families.
- Leadership skills and experience in managing, motivating, developing, and mediating an intergenerational staff with an emphasis on building a high-performing team.
- Ability to translate a strategic plan into direct implementation.
- Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children and youth.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor.
- Ability to attend all mandatory trainings and meetings as required by the CDF Freedom Schools national staff.
- Ability to implement the CDF Freedom Schools Program with full fidelity.
Salary : $43 - $46
