Out of School Time Coordinator

Somerville is a city that upholds progressive principles for both employees and residents alike. If you are looking for a culture that embraces innovation, empowerment, and collaborative involvement, Somerville not only embraces these talents, but encourages them. Creative, hands on collaboration with passionate dedication are at the core of the City’s workplace culture.  Challenging and fast paced, Somerville also offers a generous benefits package that embodies a strong work life balance. Not only is it a “Model City”, as termed by The Boston Globe, but it is also a model employer.

Somerville is expanding citywide Out of School Time options with a vision of equitable access to high quality Out of School Time (OST) programming. This is a cross-sector, collective impact initiative that includes OST program providers throughout Somerville, the City’s Department of Health and Human Services, Somerville Public Schools, Somerville families and other stakeholders. The OST Coordinator will work closely with these stakeholders to develop and implement an accessible system connecting children and teens with high quality OST programming to support their learning and wellbeing and to meet the logistical needs of their families. The OST Coordinator will help build systems that bridge between the school day and after school, maximizing learning opportunities and continuity of services. The OST Coordinator will report to the SomerPromise Director.

Essential Functions:

Provider Support

·      Facilitate monthly OST Taskforce meetings to improve collaboration and increase access to afterschool and summer learning programs

·      Develop and promote a shared definition of quality programming among providers

·      Implement a collaborative system of continuous program improvement to help build capacity of OST program providers

·      Build knowledge, expand resources and support system solutions pertaining to student transportation, health, safety and space needs

·      Organize training and professional development for OST providers as needed

·      Serve as point of contact for OST program directors seeking support for student and/or operational system challenges

·      Bridge communication between schools and OST providers

Family Support

·      Raise community-wide awareness of the importance and availability of high quality Out of School Time programs; conduct outreach and support outreach modes and materials (web presence, flyers, etc.)

·      Identify barriers to OST access for families and work at an operational level cross-sector to reduce or eliminate such barriers

·      Develop and maintain strong relationships with school staff, family liaisons and other community outreach staff to increase access to OST programs for young people

Data Collection and Sharing

·      Identify and document enrollment in OST programming community-wide to help identify gaps and inform ongoing work

·      Research existing technology that could facilitate information sharing between school and OST providers to improve positive outcomes for youth

Other

·      Support emergency planning coordination and safety training across citywide OST programs

·      Attend meetings and coordinate/attend community events as needed

·      Document ongoing progress of OST initiatives for stakeholders

Recommended Minimum Qualifications                                      

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and three to five (3-5) years’ experience in community development and/or outreach, specifically in youth development, with a focus on OST provider issues and family needs in an urban environment; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge:  Knowledge of and commitment to the overall vision of the OST initiative and to the concept of Collective Impact (including a mixed delivery program model across school, city and community options to honor family choice); knowledge of current youth development landscape and best practices; knowledge of community, group facilitation/cross-sector initiatives, programs that serve youth and families; knowledge of and interest in education and data-informed/evidence-based interventions.  Knowledge of and familiarity with the local area, local organizations, and understanding/experience working with municipalities preferred.

Abilities: Ability to work at a fluid, start-up level and willingness to adapt; ability to work autonomously, as part of a department, and as part of a cross-sector team.

Skill: Strong community engagement and facilitation skills; strong analytical and communication skills; strong project management skills.  Bilingual skills in English/Spanish preferred.

Work Environment                                                                                                 

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.  Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.

Send your resume and cover letter by July 30, 2018 to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.