Program Coordinator

End Date
May 28, 2021

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FORWARD MOMENTUM CHICAGO
PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Job Title:    Program Coordinator
Supervised By:  Program Manager
Employees Supervised:  None
Classification:  Exempt, Fulltime, Salaried
Date Revised:   March 2021

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: 
Founded in 2013, Forward Momentum Chicago (FMC) is a leader in dance education and provides programs and cultural opportunities for youth predominantly in the south and west side communities. Our mission is to inspire possibilities through dance education programs that strengthen schools and communities with limited arts access. FMC is driven by strong partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District and brings a variety of dance styles cultural awareness to approximately 6,000 diverse youth in grades K-12 each year. Our four core programs – In/After School Residencies, Free Saturday Classes, Summer Dance Camp, and After School Matters – are tailored to support every child.

At the heart of FMC’s work is a commitment to diversifying the field of dance by creating equitable opportunities for any child – regardless of race, abilities, or financial standing – to have access to high-quality dance instruction and the ability learn and pursue the arts.  Through dance, students gain the confidence to try new things and are inspired to achieve goals and dreams they may not have thought possible for themselves or their communities.

FMC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a budget of approximately $900,000 through earned and contributed revenue. For more information, please visit forwardmomentumchicago.org.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Coordinator is a full-time, salaried position requiring proven knowledge in a variety of dance styles and classroom management techniques. The Program Coordinator is primarily responsible for managing FMC programming and Teaching Artists schedules and the calendar.  This person should also teach a minimum of 20 hours per week,  serve as site manager and lead instructor for a Summer Dance Camp, and/or a large school partnership, and various other programs and performances as they arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Teach for various programs as required, totaling a minimum of 20 hours per week, including:
• Teach curriculum-based or dance-based residency programs using a variety of styles at various locations throughout the Chicago area
• Instruct students in fine arts and dance fundamentals in Chicago Public, Charter, and Private Schools and teach life skills using the Illinois State Board of Education’s Social Emotional Learning Goals
• Teach at After School Matters (early evenings) and Community Center locations (Saturdays)
• Conduct rehearsals and produce choreography for programs as needed
• Design lessons for classes and maintain all teaching materials needed for teaching programs
• Report weekly to Program Manager with program updates
• Choreograph when needed for programs
• Assist with logistics, programming, and executing special performances, showcases, and final presentations
• Teach up to 40 hours per week during the 6-week Summer Dance Camp
• Take attendance and perform pre-and post-assessments
• Participate in the planning and attend Teaching Artist Professional Development days

Coordination and Administrative
• Manage and maintain FMC Program and Teaching Artist calendar to reflect schedule changes
• Work with Executive Director  and Program Manager to coordinate programs, performances and special events for programming calendar
• Serve as a site manager for one of the Summer Dance Camps, including but not limited to coordinating logistics, registration,  taking attendance, organizing lunches, buses, and field trips. Coordinate final performances
• Oversee costume and dance attire management and inventory
• On occasion, assist with After School Matters Programming administrative and instructional tasks
• Collect applicable consent forms from parents, students and schools for participation, filming and programming 
• Maintain office hours during non-school attendance days during the week
• Fill out reports/paperwork for schools and for FMC
• Assist in recruiting new teaching artist contractors
• Assist with other administrative projects as needed
Other
• Serve as an ambassador, promote FMC dance programs and the FMC Summer Dance Camp
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential
• Other duties as assigned
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QUALIFICATIONS:
• Proven experience managing schedules and being nimble when unexpected changes occur
• Previous experience managing partnerships with many layers of relationships
• Expertise as a dancer in one (or more) dance style
• Broad knowledge in multiple dance styles
• Experience in working with CPS students and diverse groups of students
• Ability to choreograph for young dancers with varying abilities
• Several years of proven solid classroom management and curriculum delivery skills
• Strong time-management skills, including the ability to balance multiple priorities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Working knowledge of Windows platform and Microsoft software expected,
• Strong Excel skills, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and scheduling software
• Experience with social media strongly preferred

Qualities
• Belief in arts education for all students
• Truly enjoys working with young people
• High social emotion intelligence
• Professional demeanor
• Responsible, committed, able to keep deadlines

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• This position will be working in a variety of environments, including but not limited to classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, field houses, and sometimes an office setting. The position may be remote on an as-needed basis.
• This position routinely uses technology such as laptops, cell phones, and a/v equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and see. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate equipment
• This position requires knowledge of different dance styles and the ability to demonstrate and perform physical movements and reasonable mobility and physical fitness
• This position requires a reliable cell phone with the capability to add apps for communication with participants and staff, i.e., Remind, Google Phone, etc.
• This position requires a fingerprint background check for partner agencies, i.e., Chicago Public Schools, YMCA, etc.
• The employee will occasionally lift objects up to 50 pounds, with assistance if needed
• This is a full-time position. A commitment to work and instructional hours is required in evenings past 5:00 pm and on weekends.
• There will be frequent travel to and from different program sites. A reliable personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record are preferred.
• Forward Momentum Chicago is a smoke- and drug-free in all administrative and program sites
• Required to provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.
COMPENSATION:
• Salary is commensurate with experience
• Forward Momentum Chicago offers a comparable benefits package that includes PTO, paid holidays, health/vision/dental insurance, and the opportunity to contribute to a 403b plan.

TO APPLY:
• Submit cover letter, resume, how you learned of the position, and salary range requirement to:  info@forwardmomentumchicago.org
• Please write your name (Last, First) in the subject line of your e-mail along with Program Coordinator Application
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted
• No phone calls please.  Deadline is May 15, 2021. Position may begin as early as June 1, 2021.