Program Specialist - South Bay

Key Mindsets:

The MLP Program Specialist will be a key lead in ensuring MLP’s programming impact is at the highest level possible. The Program Specialist will have a personal mindfulness practice that aligns with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and is key to ensuring MLP’s programming impact.  The Program Specialist has been a successful educator, has strong management skills, and will embody MLP’s core values of Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Curiosity, Social Justice and Celebration. The Program Specialist will be eager to coach, support and manage MLP Coaches so that MLP direct service programming is delivered at high fidelity with a deep impact on the school community. They will be passionate about making mindfulness based social emotional learning a must have in schools and be driven to make our MLP partner schools models for how the program can transform schools from the inside out. The Program Specialist is a proactive, solution oriented team player that has a deep passion for bringing mindfulness, expressive arts, mindful movement and performing arts to underserved schools. 

Position Description:

The Program Specialist will report to the Sr Director of Programs and Operations, and will be responsible for coaching, supervising and managing a team of approximately 9-10 MLP Coaches. The Program Specialist will regularly observe programming on their teams and provide personalized support that is based on the goals and identified needs of individual MLP Coaches. The Program Specialist will be an experienced Instructional leader who builds strong relationships with the coaches they support. The Program Specialist will work in collaboration with school site leadership and school site educators to assess the effectiveness of MLP coaches and their execution of MLP curriculum. . To reach these objectives, they use data from observations, surveys and other qualitative measurements. They will focus on individual and group coaching, and professional development throughout the school year. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Consistent and productive communication
• Create, implement and follow through on personalized coaching plans for MLP Coaches that meet their needs and ensure partner schools and students are receiving the strongest possible programming. 
• Guide MLP Coaches in building interactive learning environments that invest and engage students in MLP programming and implement learning strategies embedded in the program
• Provide in-class coaching, conduct classroom observation, and model instructional strategies for individual and group development
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with school site partners towards creating school culture and climate that is complementary to MLP Programs.
• Strong time management and project planning, using SMART goals. 
• Support in providing MLP trainings to coaches and partner schools
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource in creating appropriate research-based instructional strategies and interventions to improve student achievement for Rise-Up students.
• Provide regular updates to the Director of Programs and Operations regarding instructional effectiveness of coaches and student progress
• Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Programs and Operations, and Human Resources when creating instructor action plans, PIP’s, and performance reviews 
• Meet and collaborate with school site leaders and teachers to maximize MLP impact, and implement trauma informed best practices for whole school systems and integration.
• Occasionally subbing for MLP Coaches, as needed 
• Assist in facilitating MLP family nights, back to school & open house events.
• Representing the values and mission of Mindful Life Project.
• Grow positive awareness of the Mindful Life Project and strengthen its reputation.
• Comply with all necessary school district requirements for providing program services to students
• Abide by all school / district policies and procedures.
• Help facilitate staff development, training and meetings and assist with onboarding new MLP Coaches. 
• Help in the coach interview process and contribute to hiring decisions
• Respond to all communication in a punctual manner, with the ability to recognize and act upon any red flag situations appropriately.
• Ability to eloquently articulate MLP’s mission and programs and show passion for the work of MLP
• Ability to visit multiple school site locations regularly and consistently
• Other duties as assigned

Other:

*This role travels approximately 50% of the time to assigned work sites regularly.  Must have reliable transportation or coordinate transportation as needed individually.  MLP provides reimbursement for mileage and bridge tolls for traveling to and from school sites.

Skills:

• The ability to coach others in effective classroom management and high impact instructional practices
• Personal mindfulness practice aligned with MBSR 
• Excellent  communication skills, both verbal and written. 
• Proficient with G-Suite, Office, and UpMetrics or other data platforms
• Ability to work effectively, and interact skillfully with diverse constituencies
• Possess good judgment and exercise diplomacy in dealing with a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work appropriately and adapt easily to changing priorities. 
• Possess foresight with decision making abilities, gather  information, synthesize, and use problem solving skills to create action plans to support the specific needs of MLP Coaches. 

Required Qualifications:

• Education – Bachelor’s degree 
• Experience in management, ideally in school based settings
• At least 3 years of working with youth in K-8 schools providing student instruction with high mastery

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with instructional coaching
• Teaching credentialed educator

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR JOB PERFORMANCE AND ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AN ALL-INCLUSIVE LIST. ALL STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND VALUES OF MINDFUL LIFE PROJECT. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

MLP is an equal employment opportunity employer. Our organization's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. The organization also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.