Experience Inc. Jobs

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth and Schools Engagement Manager plays a leadership role in developing and managing two key, interconnected areas of the Nutrition Center’s work. They will lead and support teams, cultivate partnerships, as well as develop and lead youth programs.

The Youth and Schools Engagement Manager is responsible for developing and managing school-based partnerships including with schools, teachers, district administration, and food service staff. This position supports schools in developing vision and strategies for Farm to School across Lewiston-Auburn and works with teachers to create gardening and cooking experiences predominantly in grades K-6.

The Youth Engagement work involves partnering with young people to design, re-build, and sustain youth programming (for ages 14-24) in response to community need and opportunities. Rooted in sustainable food systems and food justice, these programs use gardening and food experiences to support personal development, connect young people to their community and food system, and cultivate a sense of agency in participating in community change.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Lead and Manage Youth Engagement and School Partnership Teams

• Nurture a positive team culture and employ collaborative leadership skills to support the Youth Engagement and School Partnership program teams.

• Support the teams in meetings, planning, program oversight, and reporting.

• Supervision, coaching, and support for FoodCorps Service members and program staff

  Develop, Deliver, and Evaluate Youth and School Programs and Initiatives

  Partner with and support program staff to:

• Design, plan, implement, and improve strong, multi-year Youth and School Programs, so that they are youth- and school-centered and align with mission and strategic priorities.

• Design aligned flow of curricula and experiences to meet learning objectives.

• Regularly assess and improve programs, systems, and policies for efficiency, accessibility, equity, and impact.

• Develop relevant communication and outreach strategies and materials.

• Build and re-launch food justice, gardening, and leadership opportunities and programs in partnership with young people, including s ummer and school-year youth programs.

• Build and Sustain Farm to School Partnership Programs. Collaborate with FoodCorps members, teachers, garden coaches, curriculum directors, and partners, to:

• Create and facilitate gardening, food, and cooking experiences for students in classrooms, cafeterias, and gardens.

• Provide training, technical assistance, curriculum development, and educational resources for schools to manage gardens and year-round learning experiences.

  Partnership and Collaboration

• Foster strategic partner relationships with diverse stakeholders, including young people.

• Develop and maintain relationships with district administrators and school stakeholders across Lewiston- Auburn to:

• Promote and support garden and food-based education and experiences.

• Develop vision and implement strategies for farm to school initiatives .

• Increase access to local and culturally important foods.

• Manage the Nutrition Center’s partnerships with FoodCorps (national and Maine).

• Participate in youth and farm to school collaboratives and relevant community initiatives. Cultivate an understanding of current and evolving issues in farm to school.

• Represent the organization and handle public relations with good judgement.

  Manage and Supervise Fellowship Training Programs

• Oversee Fellowship training program including recruitment, placement, support, and supervision of seasonal Fellows and interns.

• Serve as lead for relationships with colleges, universities, and other partners.

  Manage budget and expenses for programs

• Work with Directors to develop and manage program budgets.

• Support some fundraising, grants management, and donor communication related directly to Youth Programs and School Partnership Programs.

  Foster and Participate in Organizational Health and Culture of Belonging

• Engage with and put into practice values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. This includes evaluating organizational and program-level strategies through this lens.

• Contribute to creating a culture in which people feel safer, seen, heard, and respected.

• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, trainings, shared workgroups, and planning and budgeting processes.

• Participate in staff feedback and performance review processes.

• Support Nutrition Center programming and community events as needed.

• Set and work towards Professional Development goals.

  EDUCATION

• High School Diploma

  EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of experience working with youth in teaching, organizing, or mentoring capacity.

• Strong program development and management skills; experience designing, leading, and assessing youth engagement and farm to school programs.

• Demonstrated skills in youth development and experience working youth with diverse identities and backgrounds; strong interest in working with youth as partners and supporting youth-centered aspects of the work.

• Experience in and familiarity with food systems, farm to school, and food access issues.

• Experience in curriculum design for school-based and community-based programs.

• Experience leading and managing staff and teams to accomplish organizational goals.

• Experience with collaborative work and building strong partnerships; able to represent the Nutrition Center in community settings.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Google drive and other tech platforms.

• Experience and desire to work with co-workers and partners with a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and proactive communication and problem-solving.

• Valid driver's license, access to a reliable vehicle, and willingness to drive larger vehicles.

  OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with all personnel, volunteers, partners, and the public. Somali, French, Portuguese, Arabic, or other languages is a plus.

• Able to manage multiple projects, organized, and attentive to detail.

• Knowledge of and commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Awareness of and aptitude to effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments.

• Able to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that allows for effective intercultural engagement.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Google drive and other tech platforms.

• Able to work outside in gardens and farm spaces, lift up to 30 pounds.

• Farming or gardening experience preferred.

• Familiarity with the Lewiston-Auburn area preferred.

  Covenant Health Mission Statement

  We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

  Our Core Values:

  •Compassion

  We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

  •Integrity

  We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

  •Collaboration

  We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

  •Excellence

  We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

  Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).