Summer Operations Coordinator

Mikva Challenge is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders who will promote a just and equitable society.  Mikva Challenge has chapters in Washington, DC and Chicago. We engage youth in action civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and expertise.  We are a dynamic youth empowerment agency that provides adolescents with unique civic learning opportunities and “hands-on” experiences in political campaigns, public policy advocacy, government internships, and youth activism programs. Our approaches include direct youth work, teacher support, and liaising with civic leaders and institutions. A strong belief in the potential of youth and a commitment to youth power and voice are key.  Enthusiasm, energy, flexibility, and the ability to work independently as well as on a team are also important qualities for the right candidate. 

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Summer Operations Coordinator will support the day-to-day operational aspects of Mikva summer programs, including collecting youth employment documents, signed MOUs from employers/worksites, reviewing timesheets, and other items.

This is a part-time temporary position starting in May 2021 and continuing through the end of August 2021.  Due to Mikva Challenge’s observance of COVID-19 precautions, the person hired for this position will report to the downtown Chicago office one day per week, and engage with staff and stakeholders through virtual platforms the remainder of the time. 

The Operations Coordinator must be a highly skilled administrative professional capable of providing a wide range of support services to the Assistant Director of Finance and Executive management.  The Operations Coordinator must be flexible, extremely efficient, organized, resourceful and able to function well in a fast-paced environment. This position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interface with many personalities under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Finance.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collecting and tracking youth paperwork, including tax information and ID verification
• Setting up youth profiles in human resource information system
• Distributing payment cards to youth
• Collecting MOUs for worksites for Mikva Summer Fellows
• Coordinating and meeting with Mikva Summer Fellows interns and team
• Maintaining and reviewing documents for grant compliance
• Ordering and inventory of supply requests for council sessions
• Fulfilling transit card requests for council sessions
• Assisting with basic monthly accounting tasks including accounts payable, credit card management, cash receipts, and reconciliation
• Filing and record-keeping
• Assisting with IT resource management and requests
• Assisting with onboarding new staff and interns
• Providing basic administrative assistance and serving as back-up to Operations team
• Other duties as assigned

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Organization skills 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products

Skills:

• Project Management
• Organizational and Administrative skills
• Handling of confidential materials
• Excellent communications skills 
• Creativity
• Interfacing with students, staff, and community leaders
• Collaboration and support of all staff as needed
• Emotional Intelligence
• A strong belief in the potential of youth, as well as a commitment to youth power and voice is key. 
• Enthusiasm, energy, flexibility, and the ability to work independently as well as on a team are also important qualities. 

Required Competencies: 

• Demonstrating and inspiring cooperation, collaboration, reliability, and professionalism
• Working effectively in changing situations and with diverse groups and issues
• Inspiring individual and organizational excellence
• Establishing and maintaining professional contacts to build, enhance, and connect networks to Mikva Challenge

COMPENSATION:

This is a part-time position for approximately 30 hours per week.  The pay for this position is $20-$25 per hour, commensurate with experience.  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please mail your resume and cover letter to: HumanResources@mikvachallenge.org with “Summer Operations Coordinator” in the subject line.  No phone calls will be accepted! Review of applications will begin immediately.  

Candidates should be prepared to offer three professional references upon request.  Candidates will be required to complete a fingerprinted background check prior to hire.  

EQUITY STATEMENT: 

At Mikva Challenge, we celebrate difference and are committed to providing equitable opportunities, addressing the effects of power and privilege.  Mikva Challenge is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.  We want to create an empowering space to change lives!

Applicants from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.