Program Manager, Equity & Inclusion

Arlington, VA • Student Supports • Posted 04/26/2024

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WHO WE ARE

Rooted in community for more than 40 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.” 

CIS programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving 3,270 schools; 1.8M students with over 15,000 community volunteers and 118 CIS affiliate organizations across the country. Their programs for students include providing needs assessments, support teams with corresponding plans to address academic and non-academic needs, delivery of multiple tiers of support for both students and families, progress monitoring and evaluation and assessment with parents and student support systems.

MISSION AND VALUES

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do. 

CIS also holds the following talent beliefs: 

• Every staff member is passionate and committed to the mission.
• As a National Office, CIS employees have a responsibility to live our values and integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization and lead by example.
• In turn, CIS is committed to continuously improving decision making, incentivizing creativity, and building engagement. We do this by building a diverse workforce, fostering a climate of inclusion, and shaping business practices and policies that promote equity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Communities In Schools is seeking a Program Manager to join the Equity & Inclusion team, which serves as advisors/consultants for the broader CIS organization to build internal capacity, activate organizational cross-collaboration, and create systems of accountability to draw out innovation. This position will be responsible for managing and co-creating network facing DEI resources and tools that assist the network in expanding access and opportunities for students, families, and communities. This role will serve as an individual contributor and collaborate closely with various departments within the Student Supports Department to execute the goals of the strategic plan, and Equity and Inclusion Activation Strategy, and the overall capacity building of the network. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement tiered supports identified in the Equity and Inclusion Activation Strategy, including training, CIS network lunch and learns, storytelling/ blog, and developing and leading the CIS Equity Leadership Development Program.
• Provide ongoing assessment and consultative support to network equity leaders through regular check-ins/communities of supports.
• Work with a cross-functional team (L & P and Network Activation) to develop inclusionary training (act-justly topics, equity fundamentals)
• Support the delivery of DEI focused learning at CIS convenings (SSI & LTH), leadership programs, training, and relevant meetings. 
• Supports DEI projects, communications, training and other DEI initiatives and programs that enable the organization to progress on its strategic goals.
• Coordinate programmatic priorities for the national office DEI Advisory Team.
• Provide support to internal teams to ensure targeted supports are being addressed throughout the CIS organization. 
• Effectively document project workflow, activities, and outcomes that ensure team communication through dashboard visualizations.
• Provide guidance, as needed, to consultants, facilitators, and workgroups to achieve annual goals aligned with strategic plan objectives and E&I Activation Strategy.  
• Support and coordinate logistics (including scheduling of various stakeholders) for meetings, conferences, webinars, offsite meetings, and events.
• Collaborates with relevant departments in use of data tools (e.g., engagement survey, demographic data, student data, etc.) to compile reports that create benchmarks and assess institutional progress regarding DEI efforts. 
• Collaborates with staff to support the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of alumni/student-focused inclusion initiatives and plans.
• Monitors and tracks program costs, ensuring costs are allocated to appropriate line items and in adherence with budget.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required skills & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) in a related field, social work, public administration, education or organizational psychology.
• A minimum of six (6) years relevant professional experience including delivering cultural humility training, inclusive communication practices, cross-cultural communication, restorative practices, and/or project management.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. 
• Strong interpersonal, time management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. 
• A strong understanding of the educational/socio-political Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion landscape 
• Ability to think critically and proven ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities. 
• Experience creating systems and processes and training others to use them. 
• Basic understanding of creating, managing, and tracking budgets. 
• Excellent Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Salesforce, Adobe software, and Zoom skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with appropriate discretion. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as both a team member and independent contributor. 
• Plan, organize, and execute multiple projects deliverables with overlapping deadlines.
• Communicate technical requirements and easily identify the nuances/caveats within a project.
• Strong attention to detail to be able to call attention to inconsistencies, identify the frequency/depth of an issue, quickly identify solutions to problems within established timeframe.
• A willingness to learn and a flexibility to shift as priorities shift.
• Ability to build positive relationships with your colleagues and external stakeholders and a willingness to help others.
• Interest in working with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 25% is required, including travel in the domestic US with overnight stays.

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate. 

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.