Director of Service Learning (Volunteer)

Director of Service-Learning (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning | Service-Learning, Civic Engagement & Experiential Education

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Hybrid / Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer (Leadership Role)

Reports To: Chief of Education

Works Closely With: Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Director of SEL & Youth Development, Program Leadership (MAP Roots & Connect), Policy & Advocacy Team

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning (SEL), and community-centered programming.

Our work centers dignity, equity, and accountability—ensuring that young people are not only supported academically, but empowered to engage with their communities and shape the world around them.

About PromiseLearning | Service-Learning & Civic Engagement

PromiseLearning integrates academic instruction with real-world application. Through service-learning, MAP connects classroom learning with meaningful community engagement—allowing students to develop skills, deepen understanding, and build a strong sense of civic responsibility.

Service-learning is not volunteerism alone. It is a structured, evidence-based educational approach that:

• Connects academic curriculum to community problem-solving
• Integrates reflection, critical thinking, and real-world application
• Builds civic identity and responsibility
• Strengthens school-community partnerships
• Supports both student learning and community impact

Role Overview

We are seeking a Director of Service-Learning to design, lead, and scale MAP’s service-learning strategy across programs and partnerships.

This leadership role ensures that service-learning is:

• Academically integrated
• Developmentally appropriate
• Trauma-informed and accessible
• Grounded in evidence-based practice
• Aligned with community needs

The Director will build a cohesive model that connects education, community engagement, and civic development—ensuring that students learn not only from instruction, but through meaningful action and reflection.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Program Design

• Lead the development of MAP’s service-learning framework across grade levels (K–12)
• Align service-learning with academic curriculum (literacy, SEL, interdisciplinary learning)
• Ensure programs meet both educational objectives and real community needs
• Integrate structured reflection and experiential learning components

Curriculum Integration

• Partner with Curriculum & Instruction to embed service-learning into academic units
• Develop age-appropriate, accessible service-learning models
• Ensure inclusion of students with diverse learning needs and abilities

Partnership Development

• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, and service sites
• Strengthen school-community connections to address real-world challenges
• Align service opportunities with MAP’s mission and program priorities

Impact & Evaluation

• Develop frameworks to measure student outcomes, including academic, social-emotional, and civic growth
• Collaborate with PromiseMeasure to track engagement and long-term impact
• Contribute to reporting for stakeholders, partners, and funders

Civic Engagement & Youth Development

• Promote civic identity, responsibility, and leadership among students
• Support students in understanding social issues beyond immediate service activities
• Integrate storytelling, reflection, and dialogue into program design

Systems Leadership

• Ensure programs align with federal and educational standards for service-learning
• Contribute to research-informed program development
• Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via email and chat in Google Workspace

Qualifications

Required

• Background in education, youth development, civic engagement, or related field
• Experience designing or implementing service-learning or experiential learning programs
• Strong understanding of curriculum integration and student development
• Ability to build partnerships and lead cross-functional collaboration
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred

• Advanced degree in education, public policy, or related field
• Experience working with diverse or high-need student populations
• Familiarity with federal service-learning frameworks (Serve America Act, civic engagement initiatives)
• Experience in program evaluation or educational research
• Experience working in school-based or community-based settings

Commitment

• Volunteer leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Hybrid / remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience designing a high-impact educational model
• Opportunity to connect education with real-world community change
• Collaboration with educators, researchers, and policy leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful role shaping civic identity and opportunity for youth

Impact of This Role

Your work will help ensure that students:

• Strengthen academic skills through real-world application
• Develop social-emotional and leadership skills
• Build meaningful connections to their communities
• See themselves as agents of change

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant experience in education, service-learning, or youth development and interest in MAP’s mission

Help build learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom—where students grow not only as learners, but as leaders, contributors, and changemakers.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.