Job Description

 

Reports to: Managing Director of IL Programs

Schedule: Full-time

Mikva Challenge is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens and community members who will promote a just and equitable society. We do this by engaging youth in Action Civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise. Youth in Mikva’s programming experience unique civic learning opportunities in political campaigns, public policy advocacy, government internships, and youth activism programs. Our approaches include direct youth work, teacher support, and liaising with civic leaders and institutions. We believe strongly in the potential of youth and are committed to youth power and voice. Mikva Challenge evaluations show the lasting impact of its programs.

• 82% of students reported an increase in their civic knowledge.
• 77% of students developed their sense of civic agency and increased their future commitment to civic action.
• 83% of students took on new civic leadership.
• 79% of students reported gains in their socio-emotional skills — many of which have direct academic outcomes.

About the Position

Mikva Challenge is seeking a Program Manager to lead the growth and implementation of Mikva’s Issues to Action (ITA) program in our IL chapter. The Program Manager will partner with teachers across Chicago to develop student skills essential to problem solving and civic action by supporting the implementation of our Action Civics curriculum, which incorporates hands-on, experiential lessons in community problem solving, creating democratic classrooms, and elevating youth voice. This role requires the cultivation and management of relationships with educators and students, partnership with a diverse group of stakeholders, event planning that centers youth voice, and the facilitation of learning experiences with local teachers. Experience working with Chicago Public School (CPS) district and network level initiatives and/or programs is required.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage Mikva IL’s Action Civics programming in local Chicago middle and high schools;
• Build ongoing school staff capacity through network and citywide professional learning communities;
• Recruit teachers to participate in our Action Civics programs, and cultivate and support an educator community throughout the school year;
• Visit schools throughout the school year to facilitate lessons or activities that will help students and teachers on their projects;
• Create, organize and provide resources for classroom teachers, including assisting teachers in bringing speakers and additional resources to the classroom related to their work;
• Plan, coordinate and lead Mikva citywide youth events, such as the citywide Project Soapbox competition and Action Civics Fair; and travel to support ITA events nationally in other partner sites;
• Plan and facilitate Professional Development and community building experiences with the local Mikva educator cohort;
• Provide coaching and technical support to teachers and Instructional Leads;
• Develop relationships and maintain regular communications with teachers;
• Build, cultivate and manage relationships with district partners, LEAs (public, public charter and private), and external organizations in expanding the brand;
• Coordinate the local evaluations process in accordance with Mikva standards and procedures;
• Assist the communications and development team in the sharing of success stories and the cultivation of funding;
• Engage in Mikva’s organization effort to strengthen the racial justice and equity focus of Mikva’s work;
• Assist with other programmatic events as needed;
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE: 3-5 years of experience in program development and management required.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience with volunteer management and/or stakeholder management. Prior experience working with educators, youth, or in school settings.

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in youth civic education and engagement, youth development and the political process preferred
• Experience in event planning and volunteer management is preferred
• Experience with facilitation is preferred
• Possess a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team or in a collaborative environment
• Strong digital data management skills with both Mac and PC environments
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and similar databases

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $50,000-$64,000 annually commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, medical, dental, vision, 401K, disability and life insurance.

Additionally, we offer an additional two weeks of paid time off for scheduled organization downtime.

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to careers@mikvachallenge.org with “Program Manager – IL (Issues to Action)” in the subject line. No phone calls will be accepted. Review of applications will begin immediately. Candidates should be prepared to provide three professional references upon request.

Deadline for applicant submissions is August 11, 2023.

Please note that due to the number of applications we receive, we will only respond to those candidates whom we would like to invite to interview for the position.

Equity Statement

Mikva Challenge is an equal opportunity employer and we highly value diversity in our workplace. Mikva Challenge provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.

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