Overview:
For three decades, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has served a critical role to advance equitable expanded learning ecosystems in Washington state. We work to ensure high-quality afterschool and summer programs are available so all of Washington’s youth—but especially low-income youth and youth of color—can have the opportunities they deserve to thrive. SOWA is dedicated to building responsive community systems to support quality afterschool, youth development and summer programs for Washington’s children and youth ages 5 through young adulthood.
Position Summary:
The Program Quality Cohort Manager works to strengthen youth development and expanded learning opportunities in local communities by engaging them in School’s Out Washington’s professional learning and program quality intervention services, including the use of quality assessment and improvement processes. This position will also represent SOWA in key partnerships in local regions aimed at collectively strengthening the ecosystem of supports for equitable and high-quality expanded learning. This position will focus on Tacoma and Pierce County. This position is a part time (20 hrs/week) limited duration position effective January through August of 2025.
Reports to: Program Quality Associate Director
Location: 625 Andover Park West, Tukwila, Washington. This is a remote position that does require regular, independent travel to and between youth programs located throughout Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Quality Improvement Initiatives
- Lead and manage the implementation of a regional calendar for professional learning and Program Quality Initiatives within Pierce County in coordination with Program Quality division
- Market and promote Program Quality pathways to youth development organizations, community partners, and potential funders
- Provide project management and coordination for designated Program Quality Improvement (PQI) cohorts in Pierce County, to include program assessment, training, coaching, and peer learning
- Build relationships with local programs and incorporate program voice into the design and delivery of SOWA’s services and approach
- Promote the implementation of the Washington State Quality Standards for Afterschool & Youth Development Programs (Quality Standards) and the Washington State Core Competencies for Child and Youth Development Professionals (Core Competencies)
Partnership Building
- Represent SOWA at meetings, conferences and other community events and provide support as needed
Program Operations Support
- Collaborate with SOWA’s program operations team to provide feedback and support around program delivery
- Support coordination of virtual and in-person services for Pierce County – may include finding/securing space, reserving zoom rooms, and other logistical components
- Facilitate feedback loops to support continuous improvement process for program operations to meet both regional and holistic organizational needs
Contract Management
- Ensure contract compliance and efficient cohort management systems for specified contracts
- Support the implementation of program budgets to meet contract mandates, budget goals, and revenue targets
- Support fiscal tracking and grant reporting for assigned contracts including working closely with Program Operations Team to track and record in required database(s) all in-person and online training participants
Other Responsibilities
- Address racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices, including reflecting and addressing how racism and bias may appear in the context of your work with others
- Work toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism, including active participation in organizational learning
- Support overall office functionality and organization
- Participate in staff and team meetings
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally
- Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of three years’ experience in program/project management in summer and afterschool programs, child care, or other youth development-connected settings; experience with delivery of professional development services to adult learners highly preferred
- Experience and or knowledge of School- age / Youth Program Quality Assessment tool or process preferred
- Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices and experience working toward racial equity within organizations
- Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC and/or rural low income communities
- Demonstrated relationships with regional stakeholders and partners
- Strong organizational and networking skills
- Content knowledge of afterschool programming, youth development, culturally relevant services, school districts, educational organizations and family support
- Excellent communication skills and positive customer service abilities
- Experience facilitating trainings or meetings in person and via Zoom and/or other virtual meeting platforms
- Must be able to independently travel between work-related appointments
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend work
- Ability to adjust course of direction based on evaluation data or emerging project themes
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
SALARY, HOURS, AND BENEFITS
20 hours per week, Monday-Friday; occasional evenings and weekends required. Limited Duration position, January – August 2025.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Non-Exempt
Hiring range: Pay band 25, $32,500-$38,500 annual salary range for this 20 hrs/week position (equivalent of $65,000-$77,000 for a full time position) based on relevant experience.
Benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, 403b retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off.
Our Equity Commitment: School’s Out Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. School’s Out Washington has a commitment to addressing racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices and a commitment to working toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism. Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send their resumes and cover letters to jobs@schoolsoutwashington.org with the subject line “Program Quality Manager.”
Please send your resume and cover letter as one document. Cover letters should be no more than 2 pages and should outline how your professional background, experience, interests, and passions specifically correlate to the position and School’s Out Washington’s mission and work.
Applications received by 5:00 p.m. PST on January 6, 2025 will receive full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date. However, preferential consideration is given to those submitted by 5:00 p.m. PST on January 6, 2025. The announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.