Program Manager - Social Service jobs in Vermont

Summer Enrichment Program Manager

Do you enjoy working with kids and making an impact in your local area? Do you want to bring powerful resources to underserved communities? Do you have a passion for building capable and empowered teams? Do you like to spend your summers having FUN? If so, this position might be right for you! 

DREAM’s Summer Enrichment Program Manager is a member of DREAM's program staff who support our site-based summer programs with the intention of providing free, engaging, summer activities on a daily basis for youth who live in our partner communities. You will work closely with a team of summer AmeriCorps members, using strategies of empowerment and collaborative supervision, to support the delivery of a robust summer enrichment program to fulfill our organization's mission of reducing the opportunity gap.

The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting the dismantling of other systemic inequities. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization. 

Objectives of the Summer Enrichment Program Manager:

• You will cultivate a sense of team and belonging among the AmeriCorps members you supervise to ensure a cohesive, creative, and supportive work environment. 
• You will provide consistent on-site supervision to the Summer Enrichment Program activities and the SummerCorps members who plan and execute them.
  • This means you will be with your program teams in the neighborhoods being served on a daily basis. 
• You will supervise and oversee the team of SummerCorps in their weekly planning of activities. 
• You will be responsible for ensuring organizational compliance with participant enrollment, risk management, and incident/concern reporting throughout the summer. 
• You will work with each site-based team on a daily basis to encourage creativity and quality program planning as it relates to your programs’ budget and weekly activities. 
• You will engage in regular communication with youth and their families. 
• You will coordinate and establish access to lunch for participating youth in each community by working closely with DREAM’s housing and community partners. 
• You will be responsible for overseeing AmeriCorps compliance as it relates to members meeting their total hours (300), completing timesheets, and meeting program responsibilities. 

The Experience of the Summer Enrichment Program Manager:

• You should be prepared to split time appropriately between multiple on-site, supervisory, and administrative responsibilities. 
  • Mondays are dedicated to program planning and supply acquisition, Tuesday-Fridays are dedicated to full days of summer activities. 
• You will oversee 1-2 neighborhoods’ programming (depending on volume of youth enrollment) and will be expected to split time on-site daily to oversee activities and logistics of each neighborhood. 
  • On a daily basis, you will be in the neighborhoods where programming occurs to supervise and help run activities as well as oversee the logistics of daily activities and adventures. 
• You will be supervised and supported in your role by the region’s Youth Service Managers. You will meet regularly with the team of YSMs and Summer Program Managers throughout the summer in support of one another.
• This is a highly dynamic, collaborative, relationship-based position. You will be regularly meeting with/communicating virtually and in-person with many stakeholders - including AmeriCorps members, families, community partners, and other regional leaders to execute a strong summer program. 
• You will have lots of opportunities to have FUN and PLAY!

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of experience supervising or managing a team, with a solutions-oriented and forward thinking approach. 
• Demonstrated practice or education serving diverse communities or populations of people of color in an equitable manner and a manner that is respectful and aware of the community's experience.
• Exceptional communication, team building, and facilitation skills with a focus on direct communication.
• Computer proficiency: comfort with Google's GSuite and email communication
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to staff, the organization, and the self.

• Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• A contagious energy for DREAM’s work and providing access to youth.
• Comfortable working in an outdoor environment in all seasons.
• REQUIRED: Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record. We also ask for a willingness to be trained to drive one of our program vans or utilize a personal vehicle to transport youth to daily activities. 

Position type/expected hours of work: This is a full time, seasonal, overtime non-exempt position. The position will average 35-40 hours per week on a set schedule throughout the summer. The seasonal position will run from June 1st-August 11th, 2023. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• $21.25/hour
• Access to Employee Assistance Program.
• DREAM gear/uniform provided and required.
• Reimbursements for work-related travel.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position supervises and supports seasonal AmeriCorps members. 

Work environment: This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included are primarily an indoor/outdoor environment with active children, within the housing communities we serve, in public/field trip spaces in the local area, and occasionally in a workplace environment for planning and meetings. You may also be visiting our rustic Camp DREAM. The role also utilizes equipment characteristic of an outdoor and indoor youth day camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, activity supplies, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys). This role routinely uses computers, as well as phones and printers for communications and activity planning. During the summer, conditions will be warm and activities that you’ll be attending to supervise your site’s staff will often be held outdoors. 

Physical Demands: This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather - you will often be working in warm, summer conditions outside.  This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.  The employee/member must occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Travel:  Travel includes local travel to program sites and spaces that support execution of the role (supply acquisition, field trips, etc.). 

AAP/EEO Statement:  The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment:  The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.

Other duties:  Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee/member for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.