Summer Academy Site Director

Description

Overview

Horizons Greater Washington seeks a Site Director for our Summer Academy.

Work Locations

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School (DC)

4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW

Washington, DC 20007

*This position may be onsite, virtual, or both based on health restrictions and other factors in the community and the organization. Candidates must be willing to work in the full range of work environments. During the planning periods and pre-program periods, work is done remotely; work is in-person during the Summer Program Dates.

Schedule

Planning Periods: Hourly work as needed

Pre-Program Planning Period, Staff Orientation, Summer Program: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:00pm

Position Dates

March 15 -September 30, 2025

KEY DATES include:

Planning Period: 03/15/2025-06/13/2025

Pre-Program Planning Period: 06/14/2025-06/20/2025

Staff Orientation: 06/21/2025-06/26/2025

Summer Program: 06/27/2025-08/01/2025

Post-Program Planning Period: 08/02/2025-09/30/2025

*There will be no program on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day

Organizational Background 

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, advances its mission of educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. HGW supports over 400 students in grades 1-9 with year-round programming, developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, and instill respect for self and others. By spanning from first to ninth grade, the program nurtures long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated staff who support them throughout the year. HGW program design and staff practices follow a Positive Youth Development approach, emphasizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment as key components that meet the needs of youth.  The five-week Summer Academy is Horizons’ core program, blending high-quality academics – with an emphasis on literacy, math, and STEAM – with social-emotional learning, swimming, hands-on projects, high-quality art lessons, and confidence-building challenges to boost engagement and improve outcomes.

Job Responsibilities

HGW’s programs adhere to the Pyramid of Program Quality designed by the David Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. All HGW staff, including the Site Directors, strive to support the domains of Engagement, Interaction, Supportive Environment, and Safe Environment which ensure that programs are meeting the needs of youth. 

The Site Director’s areas of direct responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

Program Design & Planning

• Attend planning sessions led by the Program Director during the school year
• Complete follow-up planning assignments as directed by Program Director

Human Resources 

Recruitment & Hiring 

• Collaborate with the program director in the hiring of lead, assistant teachers, program assistant, program support staff, and substitutes

Training & Orientation

• Train lead teachers, assistant teachers, program support staff and volunteers in their roles around implementation of academic curriculum and site conduct
• Ensure that all staff are aware of and follow the policies & procedures set out in the Summer Employee Handbook 
• Communicate clearly roles and responsibilities, particularly around the distinction between volunteer and paid roles.

Performance Management & Reviewing

• Conduct classroom observations and provide feedback as needed
• Mentor faculty in the implementation of quality, differentiated instruction, ensuring that students’ individual needs are met
• Ensure Horizons Greater Washington-provided lesson plans and instructional content are delivered as intended
• Provide ongoing training on protocol and procedures, including food safety
• Document any performance management concerns and report to Program Director in a timely manner

Program Management

• Oversee all operational aspects of the program, including bus coordination, supply management, communication protocol, field trips, and food service
• Create and execute daily schedule of program and operational activities
• Ensure timely entry of attendance into Salesforce system
• Communicate student-related issues with families and document such conversations per procedure
• Conduct parent meetings as necessary
• During the Summer Academy, collaborate and be a good partner with other users of our donated campus resources as they relate to the program (e.g., classroom space, cafeteria, computer and technology usage, swimming facilities, etc.)
• Organize the execution of field trips planned by the Program Director 
• Address student disciplinary issues with the assistance of teaching staff and the program director, and write up incident reports and submit to Program Director

Site Management

• Oversee adherence by all staff and visitors to site visitor protocols 
• In coordination with Program Director, manage site supplies, including assisting in ordering of appropriate quantities and the administration of either the returns, storage, disposal, or recycling of excess supplies 
• Ensure that the Horizons’ storage area within our host school’s facility is neat, accessible, and within the assigned space
• Ensure that the site, including administrative offices, are orderly and presentable for site visits and spot checks from funders and state and/or local compliance officers

Financial Management

• Approve hourly staff time sheets in payroll system by date set by Finance department
• Communicate salaried staff absences to Finance department
• Communicate substitute hiring to Finance department
• Submit invoices as directed by the Finance department for any pre-approved purchases made with HGW credit cards
• Ensure adherence to site budget

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance to local and/or state regulations around all operational aspects of the program to ensure the safety of the students at the site
• If applicable, attend training around state regulations related to operational, food handling, data security, and safety procedures
• Report any student or staff incidents/accidents to Finance department and fill out any necessary reports, including Insurance incident reports

Communications

• Schedule permitting, attend conferences and speaking engagements as a representative of Horizons Greater Washington
• Review any staff social media posts for adherence to Horizons’ guidelines before approving for posting; consult with Central Office when necessary for clarity

Requirements

Qualifications

• Degree in a related field (bachelor’s), or master’s preferred
• Minimum of three years’ experience working directly with youth. Instructional experience in a traditional or non-traditional classroom a plus
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) highly preferred
• Deep understanding and respect for the cultural and communications norms, styles, and preferences in working with first-generation American students and families
• Experience in the out-of-school time field (particularly summer learning; background and interest in youth development or education, particularly for underestimated communities
• Experience building relationships with and participating in feedback conversations with parents related to youth program participants preferred
• Experience with project management including working across teams with a focus on implementation preferred
• Strong analytic and strategic thinking skills
• Highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented planner with an ability to manage competing timelines and many details at once
• Polished communication skills, including written and oral, demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and accuracy
• Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite

Compensation

During the planning periods, November 1, 2024- June 13, 2025 and August 2, 2024-September 30, 2025, the position is paid at the hourly rate of $38.1924.  The seven-week period from June 14-August 1th is salaried at $10,694, based on the same hourly rate and a 40-hour work week. 

How to Apply

Apply online at https://www.horizonsgreaterwashington.org/get-involved/work-at-hgw/ with an up-to-date copy of your resume and a brief cover letter that outlines your relevant skills and experience.  Applicant interviews will begin February 18, 2025.

Background Check Requirements 

All offers of employment to employees 18 or over are contingent on the successful completion of the background checks described below:

• Fingerprinting (FBI) (MD & DC)
• MD Criminal Database Background Check (MD)
• Maryland Child Protective Services Clearance (MD)
• Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check (DC)
• National Sex Offender Registry (DC)

All offers of employment at Horizons Greater Washington are contingent upon clear results of the above suitability checks. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer and on all employees who are promoted, as deemed necessary.

Environmental and Physical Conditions

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The position works in a school environment with artificial light and air.

COVID-19 

Horizons Greater Washington is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards.  As such, we strongly encourage our employees to receive the latest COVID vaccination to minimize the risk of infectious disease in our workplace.

Horizons Greater Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, homeless status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $38 - $10,694