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Organization Summary
Umoja Student Development Corporation (Umoja) was founded in 1997 to link the educational efforts of Manley Career Academy High School to the broader community and to serve as an advocate for the school’s young people. Umoja partners with students in their growth as learners and leaders and actively engages them in academic achievement, community-building and leadership opportunities. By cultivating partnerships with schools and organizations on the West Side and throughout Chicago, Umoja works to create relationship-rich environments where schools, families and communities work together to foster confident and motivated young people who understand and achieve their educational and career goals.

When Umoja first opened its doors at Manley Career Academy in 1997, fewer than 10% of the school’s graduates went on to postsecondary education. With support from Umoja, that figure has risen dramatically with 67% of the Class of 2007 enrolling in college. Over the past ten years, Umoja’s reach has expanded beyond the walls of Manley, and during the current school year, Umoja is providing direct or support services to more than 2,000 students and 200 teachers through partnerships established with other under-resourced Chicago Public High Schools. Umoja’s programming focuses on College and Career, Leadership Development and Service Learning, Academic Innovations, holistic Student Development, and Professional Development for Teachers. For more information, please visit our website at www.umojacorporation.org.

Position Summary
Umoja Student Development Corporation is looking for a dynamic individual who is passionate about changing the lives of young people, supporting teachers, and impacting school culture. The Program Development Specialist will be on the front lines of launching Umoja programming at new and existing high school partnerships and building proactive relationships with students, teachers, administrative staff, and other community organizations. This position is a program and curriculum developer, a facilitator of student groups and teacher professional development opportunities, and a critical friend to the entire school community. Through the design and implementation of academically rigorous curriculum that addresses social-emotional development, post-secondary education and leadership development, as well innovative college and career and student leadership programming, the Specialist will work closely with schools to address the holistic needs of their young people. Combining passion and creativity with strong planning, organizational, and facilitation skills, this position will develop curriculum, implement facilitator and teacher professional development, coordinate evaluation, and assist in strategic direction and planning. This position reports directly to Umoja’s Partnership Expansion Program Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Implement the vision and direction of the organization, assisting in the development of young people as learners and leaders.
2. Provide vision, direction, strategic planning and execution to new partnership efforts at partner schools including documenting best practices and coordinating site specific evaluation efforts.
3. Organize teams of student, teacher, and faculty leaders to support the implementation of student development initiatives including advisory classes and student development days.
4. In close collaboration with the other Program Development Specialists and assigned Umoja staff, develop and refine advisory/student development curricula modules on an ongoing basis and ensure alignment with school and district goals and Illinois state standards.
5. Provide coaching to teachers around the implementation of student development curriculum and professional development opportunities related to student development as well as the general tenets of creating a student-centered school climate.
6. Coordinate the translation of Umoja best practice programming to sites other than Manley, including both academic and leadership initiatives.
7. Facilitate student leadership programming as determined by Program Expansion Project Director.
8. Establish and maintain proactive working relationships with community and social service organizations, professional partners, and other service providers in support of holistic student development and program initiatives at partnering sites.
9. Complete all organizational documentation and reporting requirements for services, activities, and program expenses.

Bachelor's degree (BA) from a four-year college or university in the areas of Education, Social Work or Human Development; a minimum of three to five years teaching or related experience and/or training in direct service with youth, curriculum development, and school community partnership development. Expertise in the areas of college and career preparation, academic, social and leadership development. This position requires strong relationship building skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people including students, parents, teachers and representatives from business and community partners. To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access and Publisher. This position requires a valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, insurance and good driving record. This is a full-time exempt position with benefits; hours may exceed 40 hours per week.

Please select one method only. Send a cover letter and resume to:
1. Via email to jobs@umojacorporation.org. Attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format only. Please include the job title in the email subject line.

2. Via fax to 773/534-8878, Attn: Katina Monzon

3. Mail to:
Katina Monzon
Umoja Student Development Corporation
2935 West Polk Street, Room #116
Chicago, Illinois 60612

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE