Special Programs Manager will manage program logistics, materials, and community partnerships for our programs and focus primarily on those involved with youth. This position seeks to help youth and individuals feel empowered through learning about construction, helping others, and giving back to the community through construction project-based learning. This position assists in building partnerships with local schools and youth organizations, manages project materials, coordinates build kit assembly with Building Beyond the Walls team and Volunteer Coordinator, and assists with logistics during the event days.
This position can serve remotely and coordinate logistics from home, when necessary. The position will be expected to be out in the field when building relationships and assisting or leading on event days. Most Building Beyond the Walls projects are at our training location or if offsite, they are primarily located throughout northeast Pierce County.
Building Beyond the Walls creates an experience through inclusive hands-on construction skills training that increases confidence and self-reliance. By focusing on projects that give back, we connect individuals more deeply in their communities. Building Beyond the Walls exists to “build community through service”. Hands-on construction training is the conduit we use to connect individuals to each other and their community. We achieve this by bringing strangers together for a common purpose to build a small structure needed in the community. We offer the majority of the programs for free and ask the participants to pay it forward in community service.
Service Activities
The Special Programs Manager manages logistics and planning for the Building Kids and Foster Family Bunk Bed programs. You will assist with the Flagship Classes and Pantry Project. This includes:
- Adhering to the mission, vision and core values of the organization.
- Building partnerships with local schools or youth organizations to assist with class recruitment and marketing of events especially to vulnerable populations.
- Serving with the Building Beyond the Walls team to ensure that the proper materials are available onsite and on time.
- Assisting with Building Kids event schedule coordination.
- Sourcing materials for building kits.
- Coordinating logistics and assembly of project build kits.
- Assisting and/or lead Building Kids events.
- Nurturing relationships with construction industry and community supporters.
- Tracking youth participation in coordination with Volunteer Coordinator.
- Assist in packaging Pantry kits.
- Deliver Pantries if needed.
- Attend, plan and actively participate in meetings.
- Help plan, coordinate, recruit and track each program.
- Participate in regular professional development, team-building, and service activities.
- Recruit and train volunteers.
- Document program processes.
- Evaluate and make suggestions to change as appropriate.
- Have fun!
Community Need Addressed
Young people often come into contact with the criminal justice system as a result of normal adolescent behavior, such as taking risks and pushing boundaries. Due to institutional racism and implicit bias, this happens more often for Black and Brown youth through the over-policing of communities of color, racial profiling, and disproportionate minority sentencing. The isolation and stigma surrounding criminal justice system involvement create additional barriers preventing youth and young adults from achieving their full potential. Protective factors, such as participation in positive youth development programs and connection to caring adults, can create safe and supportive environments for youth that prevent and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.
Position Outcomes
The Imagine Justice Project is a collaborative Pierce County effort to strengthen youth development and advance equitable, community-centered justice systems. One of the primary strategies of the Imagine Justice program is to leverage AmeriCorps volunteers to build the capacity of local organizations to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed positive youth development programs, and services.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Mileage reimbursement for offsite programs
Use of tools and equipment on site
Building Beyond the Walls Gear
Education Benefits
Skills and knowledge related to positive youth development
Skills you will gain
Trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, Youth Program Quality (YPQ) methods, implicit bias, systemic racism, social-emotional learning
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment