POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Director, Level 2 (Community Schools) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a network of neighborhood community school programs within the Department of Human Service Programs. Reporting to the Division Director for Community Schools or a designated supervisor as determined by the department head, the role ensures high-quality, inclusive, and compliant services through effective supervision, program and fiscal management, family and school partnerships, and continuous improvement aligned with DHSP priorities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
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Oversee a network of neighborhood-based Community School Programs, working with Community School Directors and other staff to ensure programs provide high-quality services that meet the needs of Cambridge residents; collaborate with other DHSP child-serving programs to strengthen partnerships and ensure smooth transitions across programs; and strengthen collaboration with School Principals, faculty, and Extended Learning program staff to support the needs of individual children.
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Supervise Community School Directors as they collaborate with Neighborhood Councils and other neighborhood advisory bodies, associations, and community partners to ensure strong community input and coordination and to identify and meet neighborhood needs by developing programs and services for children, adults, seniors, and families.
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Support Community School Directors' supervisory development and partner with them to recruit, select, hire, onboard, and train qualified staff.
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Work with program staff to establish developmentally appropriate curriculum goals that enhance the social, physical, and intellectual well-being of children and promote project-based learning aligned with DOE curriculum frameworks; and provide curriculum oversight by developing, aligning, and evaluating curricula across Community School programs to ensure quality, consistency, cultural responsiveness, and alignment with DHSP goals and policies.
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Assist Community School Directors in engaging families and addressing program issues, including partnering with the Community Schools Family Council to gather input, share updates, and co-design family-centered initiatives.
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Work with Community School Directors to build systems for fiscal management, program development and evaluation, program promotion, and council development.
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Work with staff to develop an annual orientation and ongoing training throughout the year to support programs.
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Oversee the Summer Camp license application process and work with staff to ensure all licensing requirements are met.
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Collaborate with the Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time Initiative to support staff professional development, enhance program quality, and facilitate program self-assessment and cross-program data collection.
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Coordinate with the DHSP Inclusion Specialist and other resources to support the inclusion of children with special needs in all after-school programs.
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Provide strategic oversight and support to strengthen collaboration and resource sharing among Community Schools and across DHSP programs, particularly those operating in the same building.
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Perform other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Experience
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Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in a related field preferred.
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Five (5) years of staff supervision experience, including experience with multiple diverse populations.
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Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
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An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Knowledge of community school frameworks and out-of-school time best practices, including youth development, inclusion, family engagement, and enrichment programming.
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Skill in supervising and coaching staff, with the ability to recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain a diverse team of program leaders.
Ability to develop and manage budgets, contracts, and grants, and to use common office and data systems to monitor quality, measure outcomes, and inform continuous improvement. -
Knowledge of applicable licensing, safety, and risk management standards for school-age programs, with the ability to ensure compliance across multiple sites.
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Exceptional collaboration and communication skills to build effective partnerships with schools, City departments, community organizations, and families, including facilitation, conflict resolution, and culturally responsive practice.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to lead collaborative projects.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general direction of the Division Director for Community Schools or a designated supervisor as determined by the department head, operating with limited supervision and exercising independent judgment within established policies and procedures; work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of program outcomes.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Provides direct supervision to Community School Directors; provides functional supervision to assigned program staff, contractors, and volunteers.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office setting with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors, air conditioning, and a moderate noise level, and requires travel throughout the City of Cambridge to multiple Community School Program sites.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires the ability to use a computer to access, input, and retrieve information, answer phones, manage multiple files, lift at least 10 pounds, and travel throughout the City of Cambridge to multiple Community School Program sites.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application:
The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
