Community Schools Manager

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As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Children and Families (OCF) aligns the City’s policies, resources, and services for children and families. Our priorities are:

• Safe children.
• Strong families.
• Supported schools and communities.

OCF administers a number of City-supported programs, including Out-of-School Time, WorkReady, Community Schools, PHLpreK, and Access Centers. The office also oversees the Department of Human Services (DHS), Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Our office works to improve outcomes for all Philadelphia children and families.

The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning. The Free Library of Philadelphia circulates more than eight million items to almost 500,000 customers and conducts thousands of programs for people of all ages every year.

The Community Schools Manager is an employee of the Office of Children and Families (OCF) who works closely with the Community Schools leaders (Principals and stakeholders) to supervise a team of five or more Coordinators The core functions of this position are management, development of training and professional development plans , data review and reporting and coordinated support and coaching. More specifically, the manager serves at the primary support for Coordinators by monitoring, tracking, and providing coaching to ensure successful implementation of school-based plans. The work also includes ensuring that OCF investments within each Community School are effectively implemented and managed. Work for this role is conducted under the supervision of the Director of Operations.

Essential Functions

Management & Coaching

• Oversees and serves as primary support and supervisor to Community Schools Coordinators.
• Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information.
• Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and provides effective and timely feedback.
• Facilitates quarterly meeting with each Community Schools Coordinator and their school principal to review progress and make updates to school’s long-term plans.
• Works closely with school principals to review school community needs, systems of execution and support, and Coordinator performance to ensure alignment to Community Schools logic model and school-specific Coordinator work plan.
• Works closely with Director of Administration and Director of Operations to complete and track staff evaluations, onboarding/offboarding tasks and other HR related tasks.
• Understands the individual and program development needs of each Community School based on Community Schools Coordinator feedback, field observations, PMT assessments and feedback from School leadership.
• Develop workplans aligned with Logical Model for each Coordinator that includes short-term and long-term professional development goals and areas needing improvement.
• Reviews and monitors the implementation of site-based Community Schools short-term and long-term plans.

Data Review & Reporting

• Tracks performance of Coordinators and prepares weekly support plans and reports for OCF leadership team
• Monitors and supports effective communication, collaboration, and reporting between school partners, district, city, and city services to maximize access to services provided for schools.
• Provides weekly updates to leadership team regarding school progress and supports needed.
• Meets with each Coordinator on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to review weekly reports and create support systems to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
• Collaborates with OCF PMT staff to generate weekly and monthly reports illustrating the status of work plans, needs, and services for each Community School. Addresses areas needing improvement directly with CSC to improve.

Technical Support & Coordination

• Provides support in collaboration with Leadership team and partners to ensure that program needs, and guidelines are met.
• Meets with each Principal quarterly to review status of campus needs and Coordinator performance, and update support plans to align principal and community goals.
• Supports school-based initiatives by coordinating collaboration between Community Schools Coordinators and Community Schools Leadership team members.
• Supports the development of the infrastructure and systems to develop tools for campuses to conduct a needs assessment, to access a provider database, and track services.
• Uses knowledge and skills about workplace training and education and organizational development practices to plan effective organizational interventions.
• Organizes site-visits and learning tours for Coordinators, partners, and community members.
• Builds and maintains relationships with principals, community leaders, and Coordinators.
• Participates in learning from the school community of assigned Coordinators.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Training

• Participates in Community schools and OCF staff meetings.
• Lead and Attend capacity-building activities, including initiative-wide and site-based trainings, peer network meetings and study visits.
• Participates in ongoing professional development.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Leadership

• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Proven understanding and ability to foster positive organizational health.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and to maintain relationships with community-based organizations, families and children, teachers, and volunteers.
• A track record of leading, inspiring, and developing high performing teams.

Communication and Community Engagement

• High-level written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage meaningfully with youth, parents, staff and the community-at-large.
• Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to partners.

Management and Coaching

• Strong program management skills and the ability to prioritize work and to successfully facilitate multiple projects.
• Comfortable with managing and coaching 5+ people.
• Ability to organize and to facilitate meetings.

Problem Solving/Data Analysis/Decision-making

• Expertise with using data in an education, community, or social services setting.
• Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information.
• Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.

Training and Professional Development

• Ability to evaluate individual and program development needs.
• Expertise in workplace training and education; organizational development practices; and ability to use knowledge and skills to plan effective organizational interventions.
• Experience using a variety of organizational and individual aptitude, skill, and competency assessment techniques.
• Ability to use instructional design concepts to create learning plans and interactive training is critical.

Other

• Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and limits.
• Reflective and seeks feedback.
• Exceptional cultural competency and proficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred (Preferably in education, social work or related field)
• 4+ years of experience in Management Roles.
• 3+ years of experience in fields such as community organizing, education, health or social work, or researching the Community Schools model highly recommended (working in schools – school leadership experience desirable, city government, research institutions or service organizations).
• Knowledge of the public education system in Philadelphia as well as the operation of community-based organizations and institutions of higher education is an asset.
• Knowledge of how to navigate city resources and non-profits in Philadelphia available to support children and families
• Must be comfortable with the use of data to drive decisions.
• Highly skilled and experienced in Performance Management, Project Management, Coaching, Supervision, Quality Management, Results Driven, Fostering Teamwork, Handling Pressure, and Giving Feedback.
• Bilingual, preferred

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, writing sample, references and resume.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx