Program Director

Start Date: January 2, 2023
Office Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health and dental insurance, retirement plan with 3% match, generous paid time off

See full job description here.

About CitySprouts: CitySprouts programs cultivate children’s curiosity and wonder by learning about the natural world in the schoolyard garden. We work with children ages 3-14 in programs that span in-school and out-of-school time. We partner with Boston and Cambridge public school districts to deepen and enhance elementary students’ science learning with an inquiry-based curriculum based in gardening and growing. We run a summer and after school program for middle school-aged youth. We believe all children need and deserve opportunities for engaged, outdoor learning about the natural world where they live, learn and play.

The Position: CitySprouts is seeking a thoughtful and experienced educator and program manager to lead the organization’s programs: Early Start in Science in elementary schools for students in pre-kindergarten up to 5th grade, and our Young Leaders summer and after school program for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The Program Director role will be responsible for planning and implementing programs and supporting our 24 school partnerships. The Program Director will work closely with the Operations Director to ensure school gardens and other program sites fully support programs and organizational goals. The Program Director will supervise a team of 7 Garden Educators through an inquiry-based lens and all additional program support staff.

Key Responsibilities: The Program Director oversees the organization’s in-school and out-of-school programs: garden educators provide weekly science education to classrooms from pre-kindergarten (K0) through 5th grade using our Early Start in Science (ESiS) curriculum; and our Young Leaders Program for 6th-8th graders includes both a 5-week summer program and a weekly after school club during the school year.

● Recruit, train and supervise an educator team to implement our two programs, cultivating enthusiasm for garden-based science learning and creating a positive work environment

● Cultivate school partnerships and supportive relationships with school leadership, teachers and other school staff at our 24 partner schools, including overseeing annual contracts with school districts and schools

● Work closely with the Operations Director to plan school garden improvements and to train and support program staff in caring for school gardens

● Recruit, train and supervise seasonal summer Young Leaders Program staff; oversee summer program operations and program evaluation

● Implement a professional development program to support the educator team and address areas of growth

● Serve as a member of the board’s program evaluation committee to help set strategic program goals and monitor progress toward those goals

● Cultivate partnerships and relationships with families and community organizations working in our sphere 1

● Oversee program evaluation data collection and communicate findings to staff and board

● Provide reports, data and stories of program impact to the Development Director to support fundraising and grant writing efforts

Required Qualifications

● Exceptional organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills

● Strong commitment to equity and inclusive practices in education programs

● Experience working in or in partnership with urban public schools

● Flexible, resourceful, good-humored and able to motivate a team working in a fast-paced environment

● High comfort level with/interest in working with technology

● Ability to thrive working as a team leader, bringing creativity, enthusiasm, and positive energy to the organization Desired Qualifications

● Experience in the outdoor education field

● Advanced degree in Education, Youth/Child Development, Special Education, Social Work or related field

● Experience as part of curriculum development team

● Fluency in language in addition to English, Spanish preferred

Education and Experience

● Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 1 or more years of K-8 classroom teaching experience, science teaching preferred

● Experience in supervisory role, at minimum 2 years Work environment and physical requirements

This is a full-time, exempt position based at the CitySprouts office at 1035 Cambridge Street, Cambridge 02141. Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend hours required to meet school partners and to support CitySprouts’ events or school/community events. Frequent travel in Boston and Cambridge is required and a successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Candidates will be asked to submit to MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check (required by our school partners).

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Jane Hirschi, Executive Director, at jhirschi@citysprouts.org, with the subject line “Program Director”