The Philadelphia Education Fund (Ed Fund), an independent non-profit organization supporting quality public education in the Philadelphia region, is coordinating a project with two local youth organizing groups, the Philadelphia Student Union (PSU) and Youth United for Change (YUC) to create high performing, community-centered small high schools in West Philadelphia and Kensington.   Since June 2005, in-depth community planning, organizing and advocacy have resulted in the creation of a plan for community-based small high schools in the Kensington and West Philadelphia neighborhoods.  The Coordinator will enhance the on-going community engagement around 1) the physical design and construction of the new schools, 2) education planning to produce a high-quality education for the students, and 3) community involvement in school governance.

The Coordinator will provide the day-to-day project logistics and administration.  He/she will strengthen the partnership with the School District of Philadelphia and help coordinate the work of the Ed Fund, PSU, YUC and other partners while keeping the partners aware of emerging issues and concerns that need to be addressed.  The Coordinator will monitor and support the work of adult and/or youth Community Planning Fellows in both communities. 

This position is full time.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement, together with College Access Center colleagues, a workplan for the College Access team; this includes outreach to the community;
• Plan and implement a workplan within each school in conjunction with school staff in accordance with appropriate grant guidelines;
• Work a schedule of hours which includes some evenings and weekends and includes time at the assigned schools, the College Access Center and in the community;
• Implement activities for middle and/or high school students and their parents in cooperation with schools, universities, communities of faith and community agencies, including follow-up and individual assistance to students and families;
• Inform and advise students and families, one-on-one and in groups,  about the college admissions and financial aid processes
• Maintain good documentation of activities and student contacts;
• Collaborate with teachers and counselors in longer-term plans to render postsecondary education an option for all students;
• Assume responsibility for program-wide and special projects; 
• Other related responsibilities as assigned.

Job Duties

• Support the work of the community and ensure broad and deep support of this project in the community
  
• Supervise and support the Community Planning Fellows
• Produce and distribute project communications through e-mail, fax and mail
• Schedule and prepare large and small group meetings and conference calls
• Prepare agendas, materials, minutes, notes and handouts for meetings
• Assist in developing monthly reports and final reports for the project, as well as other reports as needed
• Coordinate communication among the Ed Fund, YUC, PSU and other local partners
• Help ensure that this project is well integrated into the civic engagement work of the Ed Fund
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to and a broad understanding of public education
• Experience in community organizing or engagement
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, supported by a facility in using technological tools
• Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly with diverse groups
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work quickly under deadline and the ability to handle many tasks at one time
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Familiarity with the West Philadelphia and/or Kensington communities is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree is required

Reports to

Ed Fund’s Director of Civic Engagement

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three professional references to:

Director of Civic Engagement
The Philadelphia Education Fund
7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19103

barmstead@philaedfund.org 

This position is subject to approval of grant funding