Enrichment & Education Manager

  • Full-time

Company Description

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged in the child welfare system.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Amara has an opportunity for an Enrichment & Education Manager as part of our overall programming. The Enrichment & Education Manager is a centralized position for Amara’s various programs including our Youth, Caregiver, and Parent group supports and various educational offerings. This position will report directly to the Associate Director of Programs-Foster Care and will work collaboratively across the organization.

 

    Job Description

    Enrichment & Education Design:

    • Lead the creation of an organizational enrichment workplan, including annual enrichment events and opportunities across program areas and tapping into key partnerships like Washington State Parent Ally Committee (WSPAC)
    • Assess training needs for Amara staff, parents, caregivers, and service providers (e.g., parent attorneys, judges, CASAs, etc.) on an ongoing basis. Look for gaps in available enrichment opportunities, what consumers indicate they need and what program staff indicate is needed. Build a plan to fill gaps where needed, and identify existing resources
    • Lead the design of all Amara-led Support Groups (determine audiences, needs, structure, and evaluation)
    • Work with Amara program area experts (and key partners like WSPAC) to support the creation of enrichment curriculum content and learning objectives for all enrichment activities and events (such as Support Groups, Speaking of Change, Tidbit Trainings, etc.) by updating historical content as well as identifying new content
    • Identify a functional and fiscally sustainable online training platform for use across enrichment workshops (like Rise360).
    • Work with Leadership and Human Resources to review and update Amara Staff Enrichment Plans/Requirements to support staff learning and to meet contractual requirements
    •  Ensure consistency in the design and development of workshops and support groups across both in-person and online learning environments.

     

    Enrichment & Education Implementation:

    • Coordinate and Implement Enrichment opportunities identified in the organizational enrichment workplan (e.g., Amara support groups, trainings, etc.) which focuses on the needs of children/youth/families that have been chronically underserved.
    • Work with Amara programs to identify and support co-facilitators as needed.
    • Work with Client Services & Compliance Manager to effectively coordinate group/event Registration, certificate tracking, SAM entry.
    • Collaborate with Associate Director of Program Impact and Evaluation to ensure effective evaluation of Amara enrichment opportunities.
    • In collaboration with Amara’s Communication Team, promote and build referrals for Amara Enrichment Opportunities (ensuring sufficient enrollment and equitable community access)
    • Identify available trainings, both internal and external, for various groups (caregivers, parents, youth, etc.). Create and maintain a resource list that is easily accessible by staff and clients.
    • Implement identified enrichment opportunities from design, such as: implementing or coordinating facilitators of STAR Parenting groups.
    • Lead the implementation and migration to the identified online platform for web-based aspects of enrichment opportunities.
    • Implement Amara Staff Enrichment Plan in collaboration with HR.
    • Collaborate with Human Resources to implement Amara’s annual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) training plan.
    • Track and report on various project statuses, identifying any issues that need to be escalated to ensure timely completion of program objectives.
    • Create and manage a calendar of in-person, online and on-demand enrichment and training activities for Amara staff and program participants.
    • Prioritize projects based on departmental goals.
    • Attend and represent Amara as appropriate at key training-focused community meetings.
    • Inform Director of Resource Care of budgetary needs associated with Education and Enrichment work and make budgetary adjustments as needed.

    Qualifications

    • Associate of Arts degree in education or social services with minimum of 5 years of experience providing direct service within the child welfare and/or education fields.
      • OR bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3 years of experience providing direct service within the child welfare and/or education fields
      • OR master’s degree in social work, education, or allied field with minimum of 1 year of experience providing direct service within the child welfare and/or education fields
      • A practicum may take the place of one year of experience
    • Knowledge of youth and adult learning theories and principles
    • Knowledge of child welfare, foster care, and kinship care policies and current best practices.
    • Expertise in Trauma Informed Care
    • Experience with curriculum development for programming across all ages
    • Experience leading/facilitating workshops and trainings with diverse audiences, in both in-person and virtual formats.
    • Ability to work with all groups across age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
    • Experience designing, coordinating, and managing programs or services.
    • Highly organized with good communication and problem-solving skills including skills in Informational Technology.
    • Ability to handle multiple projects and juggle priorities while meeting varying deadlines.
    • Strong communication skills; experience communicating through verbal and written formats with a wide variety of stakeholders across cultures.
    • Ability to lead with initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility, and independent judgment.
    • Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the various cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff
    • Demonstrated leadership in promoting the advancement and development of diversity, equity, and inclusion in oneself, staff, and within program development.
    • Strong decision-making skills, including critical thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to think globally.
    • Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends to meet the scheduling needs of youth and families.
    • Knowledge of teen specific needs to consult on case specific needs and to inform additional training opportunities is a plus.
    • Ability to collect, organize and utilize data for program improvement purposes.
    • Experience with MS Word, Outlook, and Excel required.
    • Knowledge of web delivery tools (Zoom, Teams) preferred.

    Additional Information

    Salary and Benefits

    This is a full-time exempt position with an annual salary of $66,268-$75,816 DOE. Amara offers a generous leave and benefits package including 10 company holidays, 4 personal days, sick leave, and 15 days of vacation per year. Competitive health, dental and vision insurance rates, a 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance and a paid sabbatical. Amara supports a hybrid work environment with some flexibility to work from home. Candidate will have workspace available in one of our locations in either Pierce or King County.

     

    Criminal Background Check

    Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

     

    Vaccination Requirement:

    Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodation.

    To Apply

    To express your interest in this position, please submit your resume and one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters.

    Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

    Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

    Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer