Request for Qualifications -Youth Development Program Quality Coach

School’s Out Washington (SOWA) is seeking an independent contractor to provide relationship based, culturally responsive, in-person and virtual, coaching to assigned youth development and afterschool programs for the purpose of enhancing the quality of services and positive youth outcomes in the state of Washington. Using the Youth Program Quality Improvement Model (which is based on the assess-plan-improve sequence), coaches work with programs to incorporate self-and external program assessments, actionable improvement plans, and professional learning supports to drive improvement.

Reports to: Coaching Services Manager

Location: This is a remote position that does require regular, independent travel to and between youth programs located throughout Pierce and South King County, Washington

SOWA Overview

For three decades, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has served a critical role to advance equitable expanded learning ecosystems in Washington state. We work to ensure high-quality afterschool and summer programs are available so all of Washington’s youth, but especially low-income youth and youth of color, can have the opportunities they deserve to thrive. SOWA is dedicated to building responsive community systems to support quality afterschool, youth development and summer programs for Washington’s children and youth ages 5 through young adulthood.

Project Overview

SOWA seeks to deepen our impact and support for the Pierce County expanded learning ecosystem through three main modalities: Systems-level collaboration and partnership, professional learning opportunities for the youth development workforce, and deeper engagement of select youth programs in cohort-based continuous quality improvement.

Through a cohort-based continuous quality improvement process, SOWA seeks to engage youth development program staff through training, coaching, program assessment, and peer learning.

Duties of Consultant

• Deliver coaching to youth programs through various modalities (virtual, in-person, etc.) using tools including but not limited to email, phone calls, zoom conferencing, or other technology;
• Facilitate individualized or group sessions to support sustainable change in staff performance and youth outcomes;
• Model best practices that are culturally relevant and cognitively, linguistically, socially, and emotionally appropriate and responsive;
• Work with programs to incorporate self-and external assessments, actionable improvement plans, and professional learning supports;
• Lead reflective practice discussions to support the program lead and staff in identifying areas of existing strength and opportunities for new learning and growth using a variety of tools including the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools;
• Design and deliver culturally responsive tailored training and coaching services to support individual program implementation of action plans;
• Promote the implementation of the Washington State Quality Standards and the Washington State Core Competencies for Child and Youth Development Professionals;
• Work closely with the various internal teams and initiative leads to ensure coaching efforts are coordinated and aligned;
• Participate in coaching and project specific meetings with SOWA staff to report on progress and to provide feedback for improvement based on the performance and experiences of individual programs and organizations; facilitate when needed;
• Record coaching activities, including hours with each site, and complete required project paperwork in a timely manner;
• Complete additional documentation and reporting as required by funding sources as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Coaching Mindset:

o Comfortable and skilled at building community and trusting relationships

o Demonstrating compassion, understanding and empathy

o Active listening and reflective practices

o Attuning to the needs of the individuals they are coaching and individualizing their approach as needed

o Recognizing how your role as a coach contributes to power dynamics, and actively taking steps to shift power to participants

• 2+ years of experience working in education, child and youth development, human development, social work, social service, recreation, or related field
• Demonstrated experience supporting adult learners in youth-serving agencies or other professional settings; through coaching, training, or supervision
• Working knowledge of school-age/youth development, center-based program services
• Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place-, race- and policy & systems-based inequities on marginalized communities
• Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC communities
• Working knowledge of child, adolescent and adult learning theory and experience programming for diverse populations and learning styles
• Demonstrated understanding of, or familiarity with, program quality and or other assessment tools
• Must be able to independently travel between work-related appointments and program sites primarily in Pierce County and South King County
• Must possess valid driver’s license and insurance

Rate of Pay:

$65 per hour for coaching delivery (designated by individual contract initiative)

$43 per hour for administration or coaching-related meetings (not to exceed 8 hours per week)

Average anticipated hours per week: 15-20

How to Apply Interested individuals should submit a resume and 1–2-page cover letter outlining their qualifications by emailing jobs@schoolsoutwashington.org with the subject line “Program Quality Coach”.

Submissions received by 5:00 PM on January 6, 2025 will receive full consideration. Submissions will continue to be accepted after this date. However, preferential consideration is given to those submitted by 5:00 p.m. PST on January 6, 2025. The announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.

Note that if selected the contractor will be required to submit or confirm the following:

A. Federal: A current signed W-9 must be submitted with this agreement.

B. Background Check Authorization for Release of Information

C. Washington State: UBI Number

If you have a Washington State business license, please enter your Washington State UBI Number below.

If you do not have a Washington State Business License/UBI Number, you can obtain one by applying for a Washington State Business License. Visit http://bls.dor.wa.gov/faqlicense.aspx#how for more information and to apply. Please obtain your UBI number and enter it below before submitting this agreement.