Title: Program Support Specialist

Supervised by: Managing Director of Programs

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Date: December 2024

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

VOCEL is a non-profit early childhood education organization that equips and supports parents, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen early learning in their homes and schools. With a core focus on brain-building playful learning, VOCEL designs and implements group learning programs across Chicago, prioritizing under-resourced neighborhoods that have experienced decades of disinvestment. On a mission to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead, VOCEL is committed to raising the bar for early childhood excellence in Chicago and propelling children citywide to social, emotional, language, and academic success.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Having completed a five-year strategic plan that focuses on the growth in size, scope, and impact of family-facing programming, VOCEL is poised to accelerate program offerings in its family-facing work for more partners across Chicago and Chicagoland and is seeking an early childhood education advocate to support families through facilitation and program logistics. Rooted in that vision, the Program Support Specialist will assist at some VOCEL Child Parent Academy (VCPA) classes, co-facilitate parent workshops, and support program recruitment, events, and operations. This role can affect lasting change and deepen the impact of VOCEL’s work across Chicago, while also building leadership, project management, and facilitation skills.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Managing Director of Programs, this position will (1) assist VCPA Staff with caregiver and child classes and caregiver discussions, (2) co-facilitate parent workshops, (3) coordinate and support program logistics, including supplies, brain bags, events, and recruitment, and (4) build relationships across diverse populations in service of the belief that all children and families deserve and can succeed. Because VOCEL is a small organization, the Program Support Specialist can expect to work closely with many members of the program team.

Assist VCPA Teacher and Family Support Specialist (FSS) in classroom (25% - 40%)

Ensure the care, safety, and wellbeing of the children in the assigned classroom
Collaborate with Teacher and FSS to carry out lesson plans that meet families’ strengths and needs and facilitate play
Connect with other VCPA Staff to make referrals for resources and support as needed
Model responses to children’s words, sounds and gestures (with narration, repetition, extension, questions, etc.); act as “language builders,” bringing high levels of conversation and vocabulary into all classes
Engage with caregivers and children in conversation and play, as individuals and in groups about topics related to their child’s development
Listen to, learn about, and connect with individual children and caregivers through conversation and shared activities
Validate primary caregivers as their child’s first and best teacher and honor their individual and family cultures, experiences, and perspectives
Data-entry in Salesforce tracking program targets including, but not limited to member enrollment, engagement, assessments, etc.

Co-facilitate parent workshops and caregiver leader trainings (25% - 35%)

Work with lead facilitator to co-lead workshops for parents at Chicago-area schools based in topics of early childhood development
Prepare supplies for workshops and orientations or trainings
Coordinate sign-up and recruitment for workshops
Data-entry in Salesforce tracking targets, including but not limited to, attendance, engagement, assessments, etc.

Program logistics including supplies, brain bags, and prep (30% - 50%)

Coordinate with Program Directors to ensure that classrooms and caregiver leaders are outfitted with necessary supplies for activities
Manage planning for Brain Bag processes, including ordering, assembly, and distribution to sites or families
Support Manager of Member Experience with program events and initiatives, including but not limited to set-up and take-down of member events and Gift of Joy initiative
Support Director of Partnerships with recruitment efforts, including tabling, info sessions, and preparing supplies and materials
Coordinate classroom supplies, activities, and discussion points with VCPA staff to prepare for each session

Miscellaneous (10% - 15%)

Perform clerical responsibilities and other duties as assigned
Participate in required staff, committee, and/or Board meetings
Provide support for development events
Protect the organization by keeping information confidential
Participate in additional VOCEL initiatives and projects, including culture committees
Other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is full-time, with a minimum of 36 hours a week and not to exceed 40 hours per week. The daily schedule will be dependent on VCPA classes and program needs, but can be expected to fall between 7am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. Local travel in the Chicagoland area is to be expected and regular travel within Chicago is expected.
This position operates in multiple contexts: an office environment with wireless internet and limited space, on-site at VCPA partner sites, and remotely throughout the city and at home.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers (laptops), photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and common office supplies as well as software including Google Suites, Canva, Slack, etc.
This position requires a reliable cell phone with the capability to add apps for communication with participants and staff, i.e., Slack, Bamboo, etc.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be regularly expected to:
- communicate with colleagues, partners, caregivers and children
- position self in proximity to members while in programming; this can include kneeling, stooping, sitting on the floor, standing, sitting, play with children, etc. with assistance or accommodations as needed
- operate office equipment
- move and transport supplies, with assistance or accommodations as needed
VOCEL offers a smoke- and drug-free environment.
Employee will be required to provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
Equal Opportunity Employer. All decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, military service, order of protection status, physical, mental, or neuro disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

WHAT YOU BRING

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is interested in working in an entrepreneurial and collaborative organization that is highly focused on its mission.

Background and experience we’d like to see:

Knowledge and/or experience working with children ages 0-5
Personal vehicle and ability to drive throughout the city required
Ability to speak, read, and write proficiently in English and Spanish is required

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

Alignment with VOCEL’s core values (https://www.vocel.org/core-values)
Excellent organizational and logistical skills
Strong facilitation skills
Willingness to play and interact with children
Strong communication skills
Commitment to cultural sensitivity, equity, self-reflection, and growth
Strong ability to project plan, delegate responsibilities to team members and follow-up accordingly to meet deadlines and due dates
Patience and willingness to provide support to others
Entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility
Eagerness to continuously learn

TO APPLY:

Click on URL in this job post and follow instructions
Incomplete applications will not be accepted
No phone calls please
Deadline is November 1st, 2024

VOCEL

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Program Support Specialist