Program Coordinator

Department: SIS - Science in Society
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Provides management for education programs, recommending goals, assessing feasibility and ongoing performance & providing day-to-day oversight of administrative & operational functions.

The Program Coordinator supports the education mission of Science in Society (SiS), a Northwestern University research center dedicated to supporting high-needs, high-potential communities. As part of the Science in Society team, this position manages a variety of community-based STEM initiatives in the Chicagoland area. Examples include the award-winning Science Club afterschool mentoring program and a summer science camp in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.

Specific responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders, youth development staff, and teachers; recruiting and training scientist volunteers to work with K-12 youth, directly supervising and supporting program implementation 2-4 days per week at community sites, and coordinating/administering program evaluation. The Program Coordinator will also support strategic planning and grant proposal writing for SiS programs.

Please note:

• Work hours may vary by week. This will include evenings (afterschool programs end ~ 6:30) and may include some weekends.
• Valid driver's license and access to a car required.
• Community partner organizations may require mandatory completion of additional trainings and/or background checks including fingerprinting

Specific Responsibilities :

Administration

• Manages day to day operations.
• Ensures that program/project mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented & maintained.
• Manages design and development of program databases; compiles & analyzes data; prepares reports.
• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into administrative, recruitment, marketing, and educational components.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program/project to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Coordinating activities and program logistics with community partners including Boys & Girls Club staff, teachers, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Attending multiple program sessions at community sites: ~2-3 days/week during school year and up to 4 days/week in the summer
• Arranging and attending regular meetings with SiS stakeholders
• Recruiting, training, and supporting Northwestern students, faculty, and staff to support SiS programs.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Strengthens partnerships with external resources by defining, promoting and marketing benefits of participation and involvement to the organization.
• Creates and nurtures relationships with organizations to develop a network of enthusiastic organizations engaged via active participation in the success of program/project.
• Reviews market trends to recommend future plans to increase revenue, participation, engagement, etc.
• Building and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders including Boys & Girls Club staff, Chicago Public School teachers, and volunteers
• Recruiting and supervising youth participants
• Recruiting and training scientist volunteers from nearby universities and colleges (University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Chicago, Loyola University)
• Supervising and or administering evaluation activities at community sites, including surveys, interviews, and observations
• Helping develop new evaluation approaches to assess program effectiveness

Evaluation

• Observes program sessions and interacts with participants for purpose of gaining consumer insight, growing and strengthening program knowledge, and optimizing client satisfaction.
• Coordinates the collection, analysis & reporting of required information for surveys, review documents, public information documents, etc.
• Analyzes evaluation data from instructors, students, participants, etc. to assist in program/project development and updates.
• Implements corrective actions required as a result of surveys or other indicators.

Events

• Coordinates programming, educational, student, alumni, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Develops plans and arranges meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Ensures that event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Planning field trips and fun events for program youth, volunteers, and teachers
• Coordinating volunteer training events and quarterly orientation sessions
• Supporting teacher professional development workshops

Grants & Contracts

• Partners with NU development office and grant manager to identify and seek program funding.
• Prepares proposals; provides administrative guidance for grant preparations including budgets and justifications.
• Identifies grant funding.

Program Development

• Manages program/project curriculum, seminars, presentations, workshops, learning experiences, chat rooms, websites, social networking, etc. based on goals/objectives.
• Manages academic quality and continued growth and expansion.
• Identifies & obtains external expertise as needed and works with content experts for current and new programs.
• Reviews programs/projects to increase efficiencies to support growth.
• Manages speaker selection, communication, and topic development.
• Leads program/project updates and improvements.
• Coordinating supplies and setup for program curriculum

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

1 year program/project administration or other relevant experience

Experience in one or more educational roles supporting K-12 youth. Examples include formal or informal instructional roles, volunteer work in community settings, summer camp leader, etc.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Multi-tasking
• Proactive problem-solving and ability to take initiative, work independently
• Microsoft Office suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree (BS, MS, or PhD) in a science, engineering, or health-related discipline (e.g. biology, chemistry, public health, etc.).
• Experience developing K-12 STEM curricula for in-school and/or out-of-school implementation.
• 1+ years' experience working with schools and/or community organizations.
• Ability to update websites and online information (WordPress, HTML, or equivalent).
• CITI human subjects training/certification and mandated reporter training

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Knowledge of effective community engagement principles and strategies, especially those related to working with disadvantaged schools and communities.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $57,000-$60,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .

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