Program Manager

Time: Full Time
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Position Code: PM
Deadline: August 16, 2023

Organization Description: 
Spark-Y has been empowering youth since 2009 with hands-on engagement opportunities focused on agriculture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and STEM. We work with a variety of schools, businesses, partner organizations, and community entities in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Projects vary widely, but primarily focus on three central themes: 

  • Youth Programming - Working with schools and educational programs, we bring hands-on learning to youth in a variety of ways, including: engagement with agriculture systems, STEM activities in the classroom, job/career pathway programs, and more. 

  • The Urban Ag. Lab & Sustainable System Builds - Spark-Y builds sustainable agriculture systems and manages an Urban Ag. Lab for hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and sustainable food production. Systems include: gardens, greenhouses, aquaponic systems, hydroponic farms, compost and vermicompost, rain gardens, and many others. 

  • Internships and Community Projects - Hosting youth interns from high school through grad school, Spark-Y has engaged with a variety of projects aimed at youth and community engagement, environmental justice, restoration, and beautification. 

Job Description: 
The Program Manager (PM) will be integral to Spark-Y’s program success, responsible for the development journey of all education staff, from onboarding programs, to conducting annual performance reviews, to managing ongoing development projects within the organization. Help lead the programming branch of Spark-Y, ensuring optimal performance and success of its mission through all school partnerships. 

They facilitate dynamic, hands-on activities focused on STEM, sustainable systems. and entrepreneurship. They know how to promote an environment conducive to creativity, curiosity, youth leadership, and learning with students from diverse backgrounds. The PM leads students to cultivate youth engagement, culturally sustaining learning, leadership, and empowerment. 

The program manager assists in the management of school collaboration relationships and partnerships pertaining to education programming, which includes coordinating closely with the Curriculum and Training Manager, Program Coordinator, and Community Outreach Manager to recruit and monitor interns and apprentices. The Program Manager oversees the collection and analysis of all key school information for reporting and impact measurement. The program manager knows the status and progress of every Spark-Y program ongoing and upcoming and dynamically helps execute programming on the ground. 

Essential Job Functions / Specifics:

Program and Partnership Leadership 

  • Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and engaging in strategic partnerships, demonstrating and prioritizing customer service and servant leadership.

  • Demonstrated ability to work well independently and while supervising a team.

  • Lead design and implementation of new programs, including scope, program goals and logistics, budget, and staffing.

  • Confidently and knowledgeably discuss programming, education model, curriculum options, state standards, and curriculum impact.

  • Manage relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers (principals, community leaders, etc.) to ensure mutual understanding of program outcomes and program success.

  • Close collaboration with Program Director on management of staff and projects on school sites.

  • Write annual reports in collaboration with the Program Director and Educators on status of educational programming.

Program Facilitation

  • Occasionally lead work-based learning and STEM programming at partner schools, connecting state learning standards with powerful Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEM-based curriculum while also maintaining an authentic and empowering student experience.

  • Build and develop partnerships with stakeholders, community partners, and school administrators and teachers.

  • Cultivate meaningful, positive relationships with youth through daily programming.

  • Commitment to culturally responsive teaching practices and continuous learning through quarterly Professional Development and ongoing reflective practice.

Strategic Direction & Cross-Functional Leadership 

  • Collaborate with departmental leads and teams to drive results smoothly across the organization.

  • Attend regular meetings with both Spark-Y and partner schools, including leadership meetings, staff meetings, education meetings, and quarterly review meetings as part of our Annual Review Process.

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Working with youth (grades K-12) in an autonomous education program

  • Excellent knowledge of MS Office 

  • Working knowledge of program/project management tools is a strong advantage

  • Leadership and organizational skills

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Problem-solving ability

  • Classroom teaching experience (all grades) 

  • Reliable mode of transportation 

Education:

Bachelor degree; post-graduate degree preferred

Preferred Skill/Experience:

  • Proven experience in a managerial position

Salary and Benefits:

$55,000-$65,000 (commensurate with experience). Organization-wide time off including federal holidays. PTO includes 12 vacation days and 7 personal days with additional annual accrual eligibility. Monthly health care stipend and telehealth provided. 401K options available. 15 days paid Maternity / Paternity leave. Professional development opportunities available.  

Our leadership and staff build collaborative relationships with our partners and team members to empower ourselves and others. We’re a forward-thinking organization fueled by resourceful innovators that take the initiative to better serve our mission. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including women and applicants of color. | EEOC Employer.