Download Position Title: Manager Stay in School Initiatives Reports to: Senior

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Manager Stay in School Initiatives
Senior Vice President Community Impact & Engagement
Interns and Consultants as Needed
Part-Time Non-Exempt (60%)
March 2015
Value Proposition
We connect all segments of the community toward achieving the goal of producing
healthy, well-educated and economically stable individuals and families. We accomplish
our work through community engagement, community development and capacity
building.
Our Mission
United Way of Pioneer Valley mobilizes people and resources to strengthen our
communities.
Our Vision
We envision a thriving, caring region where individuals have opportunities to realize
their human potential, are economically self-sufficient and contribute collectively to
improve the quality of life in their communities.
Our Core Values
Values represent the core priorities in our organization. They establish the way in which
we make decisions and evaluate our progress. We value:
 Accountability
o Transparency and fairness in all of our relationships, instilling the highest
level of public trust in our efforts;
 Creativity
o Continuous improvement and innovative approaches to improving the
community;
 Diversity
o The dignity, worth and uniqueness of every individual;
 Excellence
o Providing the highest quality of service in achievement of our goals with
clear and measurable outcomes;
 Relevance
o Clear identification of our value to the community using data driven and
community engagement strategies.
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Summary of position:
The Manager Stay in School (SIS) Initiatives is a results-driven individual who is
passionate about education, positive youth development and ensuring students stay on
the path to high school graduation prepared for success in college, career and life. The
Manager supports the Stay in School Attendance campaign and the GRADNation
Middle School Initiative. Both projects are a partnership between the Springfield Public
Schools (SPS), the United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV), community based service
providers, local business and the community. The attendance campaign, focused on
grades pre-K to 12, includes public education and awareness as well the engagement
of parents, youth and the community focused on increasing school attendance. The
campaign goals are in alignment with SPS and support the community engagement
component of the SPS attendance plan.
The GRADNation Middle School Initiative, focused on grades six to eight in Springfield,
will track three indicators—Attendance, Behavior and Competence/Grades. The
initiative, integrates youth, parents/caregivers, local businesses, the community and
community-based providers of “educational support services” (mentoring, tutoring, out
of school time, parent engagement and summer learning). It will use an Early Warning
Response System (EWRS) to identify students, align these educational support
services with their needs, and create a seamless data sharing system between SPS
and the CBOs.
Working in partnership with the UWPV leadership, SPS and community and business
partners ,the Manager will oversee and facilitate the engagement of representatives
from all segments of the Springfield community to support both the Stay in School
campaign and the Middle School Action plan. The Manager provides project
management support and is responsible for implementing the community engagement
components of the two interrelated initiatives. The Manager will work closely with the
leadership team and Steering Committee to develop strategies and the plans to support
the educational success of Springfield’s children and youth.
Key Responsibilities and Specific Duties:
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Provides staff support to the SIS/GradNation Steering Committee and other
initiative committees and work groups
Ensures the engagement of all key stakeholders through community outreach
and the coordination of culturally, linguistic, age, gender, etc. considerations in all
materials and efforts
Serves as a liaison between the schools and the community-based providers of
mentoring, tutoring, after school, parent engagement, and summer learning
programs to support the identification and delivery of services to targeted middle
school youth.
Represents UWPV and the SIS/Grad Nation Steering Committee at community
and stakeholder meetings and events
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Assists UWPV, SPS and CBO leadership in the developed of an integrated
ERWS linking student needs to community-based mentoring, tutoring , out of
school, parent engagement and summer learning programs
Provides project management and meeting management (agendas, minutes,
conducting outreach prior to meetings, etc.)
Assists in the implementation of the public education and awareness (through
traditional media, social media, the website, etc.) components of both projects
under the direction of the SVP of Community Impact and the SVP of Resource
Development
Coordinates projects and assignments in a timely and successful manner
Develops and maintains a deep understanding of the issues that hinder student
attendance and academic performance as well as an understanding of the critical
elements that promote students’ success to inform program and policy
recommendations
Oversees the execution of strategic social media and digital initiatives
Assists with additional projects as requested
Knowledge and Skills:
 Demonstrated experience in community organizing/engagement with a track
record of successfully engaging residents, community partners, families,
businesses, and other stakeholders to an initiative
 Strong project management skills and experience organizing committees to
effectively plan and implement mission-based work
 Understands how to balance organizational policies and practices and decisionmaking structure with taking initiative; self-directed with the ability to work as a
team member
 Demonstrated experience and knowledge of working with culturally and
linguistically diverse populations
 Skilled in problem solving, conflict resolution and building group consensus
 Strong team orientation, relationship-building and negotiation skills, and the
ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people
 Working knowledge of results and outcomes oriented approaches and
methodology
 Excellent relationship building skills
 Meeting planning, facilitation and management
 Understands the use of social media and digital strategies as an engagement
tool
Requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree required ; Master’s degree in education or related field
preferred
Five or more years of documented experience in a related field supporting
community engagement/ stakeholder involvement preferably toward the
achievement of youth academic outcomes
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Spanish-language fluency preferred; strong cultural competency and cultural
engagement expertise with the Latino community
Project management experience; detailed oriented with proven record of
accomplishing tasks in an effective and timely manner
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong Office computer skills e.g. WORD, EXCEL, Power Point, etc.; comfortable
working with social and digital media
Massachusetts driver’s license and reliable transportation
Able to work a flexible schedule including occasional evening and weekends as
needed
Physical Demands & Occupational Exposure:
Lifting or Moving Materials and Supplies
– 20 pounds
– 50 pounds
Pushing or Pulling Forces
– 20 pounds
– 50 pounds
Activity
Standing _10_%
Walking _10_%
Sitting _80_%
Bending ___%
Crouching ___%
Crawling ___%
Climbing and Balancing
Physical Environment
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Excessive Noise
No
To incumbent: Is there anything that would keep you from performing the duties listed
above?
Yes
No
If yes, please comment:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Employee Name (Print): __________________________
Employee Signature:
_________________________________ Date: ________
Department Supervisor:
_________________________________ Date: ________
FOR HR USE ONLY
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Job Description Initiated by: ______________________________________________
Recorded by HR on: ________________Copy to Manager on: ________________
Copy to Incumbent on: ______________________________________________
Recorded Signed Copy on: ____________________________________________
Accommodations Required, if any: ______________________________________
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