Literacy Program Coordinator Jobs in Portland, ME

TITLE: Program Coordinator, 21st Century CCLC

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

Portland Public Schools is seeking a Program Director to lead Wayfinders, a 21st CCLC grant-funded summer and afterschool program. The district is looking for a passionate and experienced leader to spearhead the program through its inaugural year and establish a foundation for success throughout the four-year grant cycle and beyond. The Program Director is responsible for overall leadership, communication, and partnership management, as well as hiring, budgeting, monitoring, professional development, and all data collection and reporting requirements.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Wayfinders program is a 21st CCLC grant-funded initiative hosted at Gerald E. Talbot Community School and Amanda C. Rowe Elementary School. The program primarily serves academically eligible 2nd through 5th-grade students from both schools. In partnership with Maine Audubon, we are building a curriculum that engages students in STEM and nature through hands-on experiences. Beyond science, we integrate literacy, social-emotional growth, youth leadership, nutrition, outdoor recreation, and the arts to provide a well-rounded out-of-school time experience. In its initial year, our goal is to provide outstanding programming for 80+ students.

• Summer Program: July-August | Mon-Thu, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
• School Year Program: September-May | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
  • Talbot: 2:10-4:10 pm
  • Rowe: 3:30-5:30 pm

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the full 21st CCLC grant cycle, ensuring all programs meet MDOE requirements, and district mission goals.
• Establishes and maintains positive and respectful working relationships with students, school day staff, program staff, administration, parents/guardians, and community partners and members.
• Works to align school day and Wayfinders program (students' needs, academic support, enrichment opportunities, behavioral procedures, staffing, family engagement, sharing of space, data collection, staff meetings, etc.)
• Meets regularly with school admin, program partners, and other district personnel to ensure programming is meeting the needs of students and families.
• Manage budgeting, data collection and reporting; coordinate essential services like transportation, meals, and facilities, etc.
• Direct the hiring process, including interviewing, onboarding, and training, and provide continuous professional development for staff and volunteers.
• Drive student recruitment and retention to meet enrollment goals through active school and community engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school leadership, families, and community partners to align academic goals and enrichment opportunities.
• Drive continuous program development and quality improvement to ensure offerings remain engaging, enjoyable, and academically rigorous.
• Facilitate advisory board meetings and work to secure future funding and program longevity beyond the initial grant cycle.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Deep understanding of the district's academic goals and the ability to translate academic standards into engaging, out-of-school time activities.
• Ability to manage multiple timelines, logistical spreadsheets, budgets, and varying program dates/times.
• Expertise in designing hands-on STEM and literacy curricula that drive student academic growth and proficiency.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with district leadership, school-based staff, environmental education partners, community partners, advisory board members. families, and students.
• Ability to problem-solve on the fly and refine systems for future program expansion.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 35 years of teaching experience.
• Minimum of 1 year program leadership experience.
• Proven experience in curriculum design, out-of-school time programming, and/or grant-funded (21st CCLC) educational environments.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and a demonstrated commitment to educational equity.
• Current teacher certification with 020 or 029 endorsement preferred, but not required.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: Full Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Grant-based (1 year guaranteed, possibility of extension up to 4 years)
• Reports to: Program Manager, Experiential and Out-of-School Learning
• Contract: Non-Represented Salaried Employees (see administrative bulletins for non-bargaining employees here)
• Salary: $65,000-$80,000
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.