http://www.idealist.org/view/job/zF2PSZxjbPFP/

Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx) is a nonprofit organization that works in the South Bronx and other under-served urban communities as they transform themselves into great sustainable places to live. We do this by providing a collaborative model that addresses environmental, economic and social concerns through green job training, community greening programs, and environmental education. We are currently seeking a dynamic Director of Education to lead our education efforts, including our FabLab program.

Job Synopsis

The Director of Education will be an experienced and creative planning professional. He/she will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the youth programs in the SSBx FabLab and the continual development of the FabLab program, including the exploration of earned-income opportunities. He/she will be capable of managing, designing, teaching and marketing the SSBx FabLab program to and outside the South Bronx Community. The position requires pedagogical experience, expertise in design, and job/college prep and life-skill education, particularly as it relates to the achievement of students from the South Bronx and other low-income communities. He/she will be capable of multitasking, working independently and will possess a high degree of professionalism, sensitivity and integrity.

Key responsibilities of the Director of Education include but are not limited to:

• Oversee the FabLab program, including: managing the program, marketing outreach, the intake process, classroom training, job/education counseling, teaching, referral and follow-up activities and evaluating/documenting outcomes.
• Be able to learn and teach the FabLab curricula already developed by SSBx.
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with design offices, craft or skill-based organizations (etsy.com), education facilities (universities or institutions) and other possible locations for class trips.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure all program contractual goals are met in a timely manner.
• Contribute ideas and information to support project work. Collaborate with quantitative or qualitative researchers to design and develop questionnaires, instruments and databases.
• Implement existing questionnaires and develop appropriate tracking and monitoring systems to gauge the effectiveness of the FabLab program.
• Work with SSBx supporters and partners to successfully create a strong volunteer base for teacher assistants.
• Develop and nurture working relationships with other partner organizations to further program goals.
• Oversee the training, use of, and installation of hardware, software and other FabLab resources.
• Oversee the maintenance of the program’s tool/equipment inventory.

• Working with the BEST Academy Director, identify new training opportunities and appropriate projects or jobs for BEST Academy Program participants in relation to the FabLab program.
• Develop connections and oversee communications with potential partners (block associations, local businesses, community members, other neighborhood institutions) to cultivate neighborhood support for the FabLab.

Outreach and Marketing Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an outreach and marketing plan for the FabLab program.
• Develop, market and distribute all program information, including helping to compile program statistics.
• Disseminate findings through publication of papers and presentations.

• Develop connections, assist in appropriate referrals and oversee communications with potential outreach partners (schools, afterschool programs, PTA meetings, community groups, job training program, internship fairs) to cultivate support for referrals and student applications to the FabLab Program.

• Coordinate registration, the interview process and participation in program.

Program Fiscal Responsibilities:

• Develop and monitor budget for FabLab.
• Assist with the preparation of program proposals and reports to funders.
• Responsible for developing and submitting appropriate reports, financial accounting and documentation as appropriate.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s (education or design) degree with at least 3 to 5 years of relevant experience working in an educational setting with youth, preferably teens.
• Must have a passion for improving urban educational opportunities and be passionate about furthering educational reform in a public environment.
• Must possess strong organizational, group facilitation, interpersonal, strategic thinking and analytical skills. Have a track record of open and effective internal and external communication and a collaborative working style.
• Experience with budget management, program development and evaluation.
• Experience with new media tools, including video, website development, etc.
• Basic knowledge or fluency in Spanish would be an asset.
• Must have excellent speaking, writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge of methodology used to collect, analyze and report quantitative data preferred.
• We are seeking someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic, flexible, and personable.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suites and Windows.
• Familiarity with a Laser Cutter machine and the development and fabrication of products.
• Ability to read architectural drawings.