PKZ Challenge Facilitator

Job Description
PKZ Challenge Facilitator

Background
As a partner in Paramore Kidz Zone, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC) serves as lead entity in building a collaborative birth to 3rd grade initiative. Inspired by the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading, the ELCOC and key partners invested in the success of children residing in the Parramore Heritage Neighborhood have come together to create the PKZ Grade Level Reading Challenge.

The Challenge is dedicated to ensuring all children in the Parramore Heritage Neighborhood are proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade. There has already been a tremendous amount of momentum in this effort; stakeholders across sectors are meeting regularly to understand issues and identify potential strategies, and the City of Orlando Mayor and other leaders have come together to make the effort a priority.

While the Project Facilitator will work on behalf of the Challenge, the person will be an employee of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC) and housed at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Center. The ELCOC is currently seeking an engaged and entrepreneurial Project Facilitator to provide strategic and operational leadership and drive the Challenge forward. This is an exciting grant-funded position that involves working closely with and guiding a wide array of stakeholders, developing plans for implementation, supporting implementation, and tracking and reporting results.

The facilitator will be accountable for identifying effective practices/practitioners in the neighborhood; generating and directing investments and other forms of support to enhance/expand/sustain those practices; identifying gaps in grade level reading supports and generating investments to fill those gaps; facilitating communication between partners leading to joint achievement of common goals; and ultimately achieving Challenge goals. The role requires experience in stakeholder engagement and project management, understanding and passion for early childhood development and education (with preferred experience in both birth to 5 and K-3 programs), a deep understanding and respect for the needs and priorities of families and neighborhood-based service providers in Parramore (or similar neighborhoods), and a commitment to the place-based approach, neighborhood engagement, and improving the lives of Parramore Heritage Neighborhood families in need.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

•  Prepare a highly detailed implementation work-plan outlining all programs and efforts within the Parramore Heritage Neighborhood supporting the Challenge goals, the stakeholders responsible for those efforts, and expected timelines.
•  Communicate regularly with Challenge stakeholders and workgroups to develop and revise implementation plan, gather feedback on Challenge operations, and ensure deadlines are met.
•  Coordinate regularly with the Challenge’s project management team responsible for overseeing implementation.
• •Coordinate a process by which the Challenge’s leaders meet to develop a logic model and decide upon vision and results, leadership structure, stakeholder roles, and norms and culture.
• Convene Challenge stakeholders to achieve consensus on decisions necessary to move the effort forward; plan and coordinate Challenge meetings & convening’s.
• Maintain communication tools such as databases and electronic listservs to ensure smooth flow of information and allow Challenge stakeholders to share learnings.
• Facilitate communication among and between receiving elementary schools and early childhood programs to promote family participation in Challenge activities and to enhance Challenge outcomes.
•  Coordinate extensively with the Challenge’s evaluation lead to establish a transparent impact and reporting framework for Challenge stakeholders to measure and communicate progress.
• Ensure the project reports (both narrative and financial reports) are submitted by Challenge stakeholders in a timely manner.
•  Assist with budgets and grant administration for the Challenge; including administration of programmatic sub-grants from funders to Campaign stakeholders.
• Provide key support for the Challenge’s resource development, including supporting grant writing and donor development efforts.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

•  Master’s degree in education, child development or a related field with a minimum of five years of experience in leading and managing projects. Teaching certificate and demonstrated relationships within the birth to 3rd grade education delivery system preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to relate and engage with a variety of stakeholders and external partners such as civic leaders, community organizations, and parents.
• Demonstrated experience with strategic and tactical planning.
• Demonstrated experience with the key strategic areas of the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading: Teacher Quality, Attendance, Kindergarten Readiness, and Summer Learning.
• Knowledge of, and successful experience in Orlando, especially Orlando’s African-American community, or other urban communities.
• Skills and Abilities
• Ability to balance the demands related to multiple projects/deadlines with minimal supervision as well as work under pressure.
• Experience with evidence-based practice (EBP) concepts and practice.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership within diverse stakeholder groups; ability to effectively manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to think quickly and strategically and identify new promising opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Participatory planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation as well as budgeting.
• Strong skills in project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Adaptable and collaborative but results-oriented
• Entrepreneurial and highly motivated
• Political savvy, with good judgment, instincts and excellent social skills
• Committed to improving the lives of children and families in need
• Proficiency in the use of computer software (Microsoft Office Suite). Ability to navigate the Internet.
• Knowledge of basic customer service techniques.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Ability to work flexible/hours schedule including Saturdays or evening hours.
•  Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License with the ability to travel to off-site locations.

 This employee is required to stand; walk, stoop and kneel and might be required to lift and or move up to 30 pound. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
The position has a beginning salary of $50,000 and eligibility of benefits effective the 1st of the month following the 60- day introductory period.
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume.  Click to Apply!