In-Schools Coordinator

IN-SCHOOLS COORDINATOR 

Coordinator Level 2 

Spring 2022 

Position Description 

ABOUT 826CHI 

Mission 

826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. More information can be found at www.826chi.org. 

Culture 

826CHI is a creative organization that highly values collaboration, creative, and strategic thinking. Our work is grounded in goals set by our strategic plan and put into motion through collaboration. At 826CHI, we take both pride and joy in our work and operate with a high degree of professionalism. Staff members work both independently and as part of a team. Our model is inherently community-based and responds to the history, dynamic, and culture of Chicago.  

Commitment to Inclusion 

As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826CHI recognizes the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion: We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service or disability. We strive to put our values into action through planning, decision making, and community building.   

ABOUT THE POSITION 

826CHI is looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual to oversee and coordinate our in-schools programs, conduct administrative duties related to in-schools programs, and facilitate our Field Trip program. The In-Schools Coordinator oversees all aspects of our Field Trip and Young Author Book Project programs and supports other school-based workshops and program initiatives as needed. This person will make a significant impact by being a lead facilitator for our Field Trip program, overseeing curriculum design and modifications of the Field Trip curriculum, working closely with teaching artists, building strong foundational relationships with school partners and teachers in collaboration with the Director of Programs to further 826CHI’s mission. We are looking for someone who is excited to join a hard-working, creative, mission-driven team and that has a passion for Chicago schools and students and expanding access to creative youth development in Chicago.   

Field Trips Program (50%) 

Young Author Book Project (30%) 

Other Administrative and Evaluation (10%) 

Special Events and Projects (10%) 

Field Trips (50%) 

• Collaborate with Director of Programs and Chicago Public School teachers to oversee the effective scheduling of the Field Trip program  
• Coordinate with Field Trip teachers to complete consent forms, agreement forms, bus schedule, and collect student work  
• Develop, modify, and implement FT curriculum as needed and in alignment with program, strategic, and mission goals and outcomes, including leading the morning field trips program (3x/wk) throughout the CPS school year. 
• Successfully prepare volunteers and interns with materials, schedules, and tasks to ensure their success to participate in Field Trips 
• Effectively prepare and coordinate with additional teaching artists to co-lead the Field Trip program  
• In collaboration with the Director of Programs, develop and update program and volunteer resource documents related to Field Trips programming 
• Collaborate with Publishing Programs Coordinator to provide student work and content for publications, and support with book binding and editing as needed  
• Work with Community Engagement Manager to collaborate on Field Trip and volunteer recruitment  
• Ensure that Field Trips data is updated regularly in dashboards and Matrixes 

Young Author Book Project (30%) 

• Conduct scheduling and calendaring for Young Author Book Project program by coordinating with Teaching Artist, lead teacher, and/or Arts Partner 
• Coordinate with YABP teacher to complete student consent forms, meet deadlines, and collect student work 
• Build relationships with teachers and schools in alignment with our priority enrollment statement as well as from our priority neighborhoods to recruit for in-schools programming  
• Oversee the partnership development for our Young Author Book Program with the Director of Programs to finalize and secure a partnership from year-to-year 
• Collaborate with Publishing Programs Coordinator to provide student work and content for publications, and ensure that the publishing deadlines are met 
• Coordinate with Teaching Artist to conduct invoicing and check-ins  

Administration and Evaluation (10%) 

• Support the evaluation of programs by leading the pre and post program surveys for teachers and students to measure impact and quality 
• Track student participation and consent forms 
• Oversee school transportation reimbursement requests  
• Work with the Director of Programs to set and track annual program goals  
• Provide documentation and anecdotes for the Development Team and communications staff to share with general and donor audiences 
• Support the recruitment of 826CHI programming alongside the Community Engagement Manager, Development and Communications Manager, and Programs Team 

Special Projects (10%) 

• Leads and/or supports 826CHI’s annual arts-based summer camp  
• Work closely with the Publishing Programs Coordinator to support publication release and publishing events  
• Coordinate with guest speakers and teaching artists 
• Supports the development and editing of Field Trip publications and YABP publications  

Qualifications and Skills 

• Minimum 3 years of experience teaching ages 6 to 18 in structured learning environments  
• Experience teaching writing or creative skills 
• Working knowledge of the Chicago Public School system and understanding of educational themes  
• Experience with coordinating calendars and schedules  
• Volunteer Coordination experience, specifically working with service members and interns  
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, including public speaking  
• Excellent organizational skills & the ability to multitask  
• Verbal and written Spanish language fluency  
• A strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to manage multiple independent projects successfully  
• Knowledge of publishing and design (ideal, though not required)  
• Enthusiastic belief in the mission of 826CHI  
• Outgoing and personable  

Vaccination Requirement 

All new 826CHI employees are required to be fully vaccinated (2 week following final dosage) by their start date unless they are unable to be vaccinated due to religious and medical reasons. New employees must provide proof of vaccination at the time a candidate accepts the offer (unless pending a second dose) to begin the final hiring and onboarding process.  

Reporting 

The In-Schools Coordinator is an exempt, full-time position (40 hours per week). The In-Schools Coordinator reports to the Director of Programs and is a participatory member of the Programs Team. 

Salary and Benefits  

826CHI is committed to creating an environment that is supportive of learning, growth and staff development. Our investment in staff includes health benefits after 90 days of employment, paid holidays and combined PTO, and retirement plan. The salary range for this position is $38-42k and is commensurate with experience. 

To apply 

826CHI is an equal opportunity employer. 826CHI is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team. We strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented communities in the education and nonprofit sectors to apply. 826CHI values professional experience and impact and therefore does not require degrees for consideration of employment. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and list of three professional references to hiring@826chi.org. For questions, please call 773.772.8108. 

826CHI does not discriminate in hiring. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this and all posted positions.