Associate, Learning & Practice

Arlington, VA • Student Supports • Posted 07/19/2024

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WHO WE ARE

In 2020, 11.6 million children in the U.S.—16% of all children nationwide—lived in poverty, and those children were disproportionately children of color. Students living in poverty often have physical and mental health, social-emotional, cognitive, and identity development needs that schools are not equipped to support. Rooted in community for more than 45 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. CIS Co-Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that transform children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children.” 

Bill Milliken’s vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff imbedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves approximately 3,700 schools, the overwhelming majority are Title I-eligible schools across two channels: (1) independent affiliates and (2) licensed partnerships. Grounded in the power of transformative relationships to unlock a young person’s potential, CIS has a national, research-based history of delivering local results that support improved student relationships with adults, better-quality relationships with peers, and increased engagement and sense of belonging. These outcomes lead to improved attendance, improved academic success, and improved on-time high school graduation rates. In 2021, the overall CIS enterprise had revenue of $330 million, including roughly $300 million within its 110 independent affiliates. This nationwide network is supported by the CIS National Office.  

MISSION AND VALUES 

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do. 

‘Within the national office, we foster a culture inspired by our mission, our values of integrity, accountability, equity, collaboration, and excellence, and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:  

• We acknowledge contributions and perspectives. 
• We collaborate across roles and departments. 
• We honor a whole-person approach and encourage balance. 

We aim to create a psychologically safe environment where relationships matter, and mutual respect is paramount.  

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate provides support to the Learning & Practice team by coordinating logistical needs for training events, ensuring timely approvals, overseeing reimbursements, and maintaining professional communication with participants and speakers. Additionally, they manage the deployment of meeting and training event evaluations to measure effectiveness, oversee the initiative outreach calendar, and organize outreach calls, coaching sessions, workshops, and follow-ups. Furthermore, the Associate manages CIS Connect groups in facilitating engagement by curating articles, discussion starters, and providing resources to support the organization's mission of student and community support.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and update internal online Learning & Practice forums (post articles, discussion starters, and resources, etc.).
• Oversee logistical needs in coordination with CIS events team and the Student Supports Department executive assistant for training and development events. This includes event team coordination (planning & booking), reimbursement oversight, submitting event e-approvals within established timeframes, communicating with event participants and speakers in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate meeting and training event evaluation deployment and conduct post-event data collection and analysis, including attendee tracking. 
• Maintain initiative outreach calendar and Monday boards (outreach calls, coaching calls, program manager connect & support, workshops, check-ins, data reviews, and follow ups).
• Assist with other Learning & Practice team as well as Student Support department initiatives as needed.? ?

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required skills & qualifications:

• Associate degree and three years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing coordination and oversight of programs and providing administrative support in a professional work environment.
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and Monday.com.
• Basic understanding of Salesforce, Association Management Systems (AMS), and Learning Management Systems (LMS) preferred.
• Experience with database applications, including data cleanup and analysis.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including editing.
• Experience facilitating virtual meetings via Zoom, MS Teams, and other platforms.
• Self-starter with strong attention to detail and the ability to clearly communicate in writing and summarize information.
• Excellent organizational skills, teamwork, and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with your colleagues and external stakeholders and a willingness to help others.
• Interest in working with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 25% is required including travel in the domestic United States with overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate. 

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.