STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Community Program Manager, Chicago Salary in the United States

Description

Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association provides an array of community programming across the country.  The Chicago Community Program Manager is responsible for the safe, complete and accurate execution of SCA’s various community programs in and around Chicago, IL and Northwest Indiana in accordance with the uniform practices and procedures established by the National Manager, Community Programs and the organization at large.  This person helps ensure Community Crew Leaders are equipped for the program delivery work scheduled, comply with curriculum/funder mandates, safety controls, logistical service/program delivery needs, and mandatory internal record-keeping and administrative requirements.  This position reports to the National Manager, Community Programs.

Roles and Responsibilities

• External Engagement:
  • Represent the Chicago Community Program on calls / at SCA and other events, and build relationships with community organizations and land partners on a local level;
  • Work, in collaboration with SCA’s Advancement and Partnership teams, to secure existing funds and to find new funds for local programming.

• • Work with partner organizations in Chicago and northwest Indiana to develop projects and monitor program outcomes.
  • Work, in collaboration with SCA’s Advancement/Events team and SCA’s Alumni Director to engage the community and alumni in creative ways.

• Recruiting & Onboarding:
  • Responsible for sufficiently and effectively orienting crew leaders to the teams work ahead of them.
  • Responsible for ensuring leaders and members are readily equipped with or have access to necessary supplies and other logistical requirements.
  • Assist HR and Program Coordinator with the recruitment and enrollment of staff, leaders and members, including attending recruitment events outside of normal work hours.

• Program Planning & Delivery:
  • Monitor leaders’ project delivery.
  • Plan and organize project logistics prior to program, in coordination with agency partners.
  • Report, track and respond to incidents in accordance with SCA policies and procedures.
  • Assist SCA’s Training Department with member, leader and staff training.
  • Develop and monitor program budgets.
  • Responsible for ongoing field support and rotating emergency responder.

• • Responsible for modeling, facilitating, and building an inclusive community

• Program Improvements:
  • Share on-the-ground learnings, provide input, and assist Evaluation / Curriculum teams in design of pilots.
  • Monitor incident trends to improve quality of safety, adherence to mandatory administrative requirements and curriculum requirements.
• Internal SCA Engagement:
  • Liaise with HR and Recruitment team representatives for crew member recruiting and onboarding processes.
  • Ensure Team Leaders are complying with internal policies and procedures, including weekly time-keeping logs, narrative reporting for funders, and other SCA mandates.
• Alumni Engagement:
  • Build and maintain relationships with Community Program alumni;
  • Support SCA’s efforts as requested in connecting community alumni to member continuum.

Qualifications

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience including skills related to the position such as program coordination, leadership in an outdoor setting, experience working with programmatic partners, grant and budget management
• Project management experience in a collaborative environment
• Ability to work independently and problem solve
• Strong communication skills when working with various external and internal partners
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Experience working with youth and young adults from racially and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds
• Enjoy working with young people in a fluid, dynamic organization
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications or ability to obtain before start date
• Experience working in conservation and strong technical outdoor skills (experience as a former Corps Crew Leader is a plus)
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability
• Emotional maturity
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Attend required and/or pertinent training as needed
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, Google products, Volunteer/Customer Relationship Management Software or willingness to learn new software
• Experience and familiarity working with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Chicago Park District Natural Areas is a plus

Travel Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA standards.
• Excellent driving record and ability to drive in a variety of conditions including city driving and/or use of four-wheel drive as well as standard transmission as needed. 
• The ability to travel for extended periods of time outside and over a variety of terrain
• Access to personal vehicle highly preferred (mileage reimbursement available).
• Experience driving a vehicle with attached trailer is a plus.

Supervisory responsibilities

This position manages other employees and is responsible for the performance management and adequate hiring of those employees.

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

SCA1957