Program Director
The Learning Community | Central Falls, RI
The Learning Community, a vibrant public charter school, seeks to hire a Program Director to support our AmeriCorps program and other administrative functions to advance the school’s mission. We seek an individual who can work in a fast-paced, cooperative environment; and who will be responsible for the recruitment, enrollment, supervision, member training and development of a 25 member AmeriCorps program. This position will be a full-time position with highly competitive compensation and benefits.
The Learning Community is a vibrant, high performing public charter school in Central Falls, RI that serves 560 students in grades K–8, 90% of whom qualify for free/reduced price lunch and all of whom work their hardest every day. Founded in 2004, The Learning Community serves families from Central Falls, Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The faculty, staff and administration are integral parts of a welcoming school community. Through our commitment to our families and our school's mission, we create and support an environment for exploration, leadership and learning for both students and ourselves. Our mission informs our practice every day. At The Learning Community, we believe that literacy empowers each individual to have a voice, assume community responsibility and take social action. We expect leadership at every level. We grow teacher leaders, student leaders and community leaders.
Characteristics of the ideal candidate include:
• Understanding and experience with State and National AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA programming
• A minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role
• Organize work and meet federal and state deadlines
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Collaborate with administrators in partner schools where members are placed
• Experience recruiting AmeriCorps members or recruiting in general
• Ability to support emerging professionals and work collaboratively with school-based personnel
• Have a high level of computer literacy
• Ability to work well under pressure, to seek and synthesize information, and communicate in a compelling and succinct form
• Display professional integrity and maintain strict confidentiality
• Interact positively with students and colleagues
• Maintain a positive attitude and sense of humor
Specific job responsibilities are as follows:
• Coordinate, monitor and oversee AmeriCorps program and member compliance
• Supervise and mentor 20 State AmeriCorps members and 5 VISTA members, including overseeing member’s personal and professional goals
• Coordinate and provide member training and development over the course of the academic year; including summer training
• Coordinate training from and provide support to academic specialists
• Work closely with Finance Department to ensure fiscal compliance and Development Department for grant renewal and reporting
• Act as main liaison between funding agencies and The Learning Community, including maintaining clear communication, coordinating compliance visits, and attending regular statewide meetings
• Lead and coordinate hiring for both AmeriCorps programs
• General school administrative responsibilities
The Learning Community, an innovative urban K-8 charter school with an 86% poverty rate, 57% Spanish-speaking families and high student achievement, is a warm and welcoming school that believes deeply in the voices of teachers, students and families. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package. Candidates of color and bilingual candidates encouraged to apply. We strive to have a team that reflects the racial diversity of our students and families. It is important to us that our students can see themselves in the adults that surround them each day. The Learning Community is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AS A TEAM MEMBER?
Warm and Professional Work Environment: We have an extremely upbeat, proactive and supportive atmosphere. Everyone is excited to be here each day. Open communication systems ensure every person has a chance to voice concerns and ideas about all aspects of the school. We are known for responding quickly to the needs of both students and colleagues. We have among the best family engagement in the state, and strong support from our community. For an example of our culture, check out this short video: http://vimeo.com/21956036
Unique Opportunities for Career Growth: We are known as a lab school where teachers who are interested in opening their classrooms to visiting learners or providing professional development services can do so for additional earned income. This is a unique aspect of our school and means our school community is always open and always growing.
Excellent Compensation: Competitive salaries and full-time team members enjoy 95% coverage of health care insurance.
Shared Commitment to Educational Equity: Through their commitment to our families and our school’s mission, every team member creates and supports an environment for exploration, leadership and learning for both students and themselves. We are serious about proving that poverty is not a barrier to student success. We know that every student has an important story to tell and deserves to be heard. 30% of our team speaks Spanish.
Support Services: An extensive system supports student social, emotional and behavioral needs. We follow through on the promise that no single student will keep others from learning. Every classroom teacher is supported by a team of professionals.
A Strong, Collaborative Team: There is high demand for positions at our school. Teachers feel respected and supported, and our attrition rate is very low. Team members work with one another and with families on behalf of every student.
Extensive Professional Development: Teachers receive ongoing, embedded professional development and a variety of innovative options for growth, learning and sharing what they know.
For more information: www.thelearningcommunity.com
To apply please send resume and cover letter to: Program Director/Mindy Farrow, The Learning Community, 21 Lincoln Ave, Central Falls, RI 02863.
Or email jobs@thelearningcommunity.com with the job title in the subject line.
The Learning Community is an EEO/AA Employer. No phone calls, please.