The Coolest Job in Town: Program Instructor at Pangea Project, Portland, OR

START DATE: March 1, 2010 POSITION: Program Instructor REPORTS TO: Director of Programs STATUS: Regular, Full-time, Exempt LOCATION: Portland, Oregon SALARY RANGE: $35,000-37,000

Job Summary

The Program Instructor is primarily responsible for the ongoing development and delivery of The Pangaea Project’s local and international educational curriculums, including data collection, measurement and evaluation of student performance and participation goals.

In addition to curriculum-building and daily classroom instruction responsibilities, The Program Instructor works closely with the Director of Programs and partner school staff to handle all matters related to student recruitment, application and selection processes. S/he serves as a liaison between The Pangaea Project and its partner schools.

The Program Instructor will assist the Director of Programs in drafting the structure and implementation plan for The Pangaea Project’s new Graduate Leadership Program, which is slated to begin in the fall of 2010. During the pilot phase of this program, The Program Instructor will be primarily responsible for the ongoing development and delivery of curriculum, including data collection, measurement and evaluation of performance and participation goals.

The Program Instructor serves as an International Trip Leader, traveling to either Ecuador or Thailand for 4-6 weeks during summer months. In this capacity, s/he is expected to co-facilitate all cross-cultural training and travel preparation activities preceding the international program.

The Program Instructor informs and assists the Director of Programs with tasks related to the implementation, improvement, measurement and evaluation of local and international programs, to include the development of policies and strategies related to recruitment and retention.

The Program Instructor plays a critical role on The Pangaea Project’s staff, which utilizes a consensus decision-making model, and s/he can therefore expect to participate in and contribute to organization-wide activities, including strategic development, general operations, policy development, outreach, and fundraising.

The Pangaea Project is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion. People of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions

* In coordination with the Director of Programs, cultivate an entrepreneurial environment that upholds the mission and core principles of The Pangaea Project among adults and youth; provide a strong leadership presence for all staff and students * Provide necessary support and expertise to partner schools and program volunteers in streamlining processes, creating efficiencies and identifying opportunities for growth and development; promote collaboration and integration of program components when possible * In coordination with the Director of Programs, supervise the development and delivery of The Pangaea Project’s local and international and programs and curriculums; assist in the supervision and implementation of all policies and contracts related to student participation, and school and community partnerships * Supervise and assist in the logistical planning of all local and international program-related activities; ensure compliance with all international travel requirements * Serve as the International Trip Leader (ITL) to Ecuador or Thailand for 4-6 weeks during summer months; in partnership with the Assistant ITL, supervise a team of students in achieving a safe, educational, positive and rewarding journey abroad * In coordination with the Director of Programs, assist with the hiring, supervision and ongoing training of qualified and professional Assistant International Trip Leaders * In coordination with the partner school officials, ensure compliance with all appropriate professional and educational standards and accreditation requirements; create individual participant files and maintain all necessary documentation * Serve as the liaison between participant families and The Pangaea Project; provide necessary support, training and resources to families of student participants * Support internal and external written communications regarding youth program operations; provide data and student success stories as requested for the website, newsletters, donor reports, appeal letters, etc. * In coordination with the Director of Programs, assist in the design and implementation of systems and tools for assessing, tracking, measuring and evaluating program goals and student performance; take initiative to collect all data in a timely manner * Serve as a spokesperson for The Pangaea Project in the global community; cultivate exceptional relationships with local and international program supporters, students, graduates, parents, families, and school and community partners

Required Qualifications

* Master’s degree in teaching, education, social work, counseling or related field * At least five years experience working with teenagers/young adults in a classroom setting, including substantial experience leading high-risk, low-income, and diverse populations * Demonstrated understanding of and passion for youth development work and leadership education programs; willingness to hold youth accountable for their choices; ability to provide emotional support to youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries at all times * Demonstrated understanding of social justice themes and related issues; willingness to withhold personal biases so that students are empowered to have their own experiences and develop their own perspectives * Demonstrated ability to communicate cross-culturally and empower youth and adults to communicate cross-culturally; strong personal commitment to the ongoing development of cultural competency and communication skills * Extensive international volunteer or work experience in a developing country; extensive experience in culturally-diverse environments * At least three years experience developing and implementing secondary educational curriculum; must have experience aligning content with Oregon state educational standards and utilizing a variety of assessment and evaluation tools * At least two years experience designing and leading project-based and experiential-learning educational activities * Available to lead a 4-6 week student trip abroad during summer months; mentally, emotionally and physically able to lead others in a foreign environment and occasionally across rugged terrain * Flexible and willing to work occasionally on weekends and evenings throughout the year * Excellent oral and written communication skills; outstanding presentation skills * Strong case management, time management, administrative and organizational skills * Demonstrated ability and willingness to work hard independently, responsibly and ethically * Confident, self-driven and professional in demeanor * High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; experience using web-based time management software, including social media and blogging programs; familiarity with Google Calendar, Facebook and Twitter * Valid Oregon driver’s license, passport, and the ability to pass a criminal background check

Preferred Qualifications

* Current Oregon state teaching license/certificate * Fluency in Spanish (highly preferred) and/or Thai * Extensive work, volunteer and/or homestay experience in Ecuador or Thailand * Experience designing and leading social action campaigns * Familiarity with Portland’s public and alternative schools systems * Experience using DonorPerfect or other comprehensive constituent database

This position was originally posted on January 25, 2010 and will be open until filled.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]

http://www.thepangaeaproject.org/employment.shtml

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Sharon Hasenjaeger Assistant Director Institute for Nonprofit Management Portland State University Tel: (503) 725-8221 Fax: (503) 725-8045 [email protected] www.inpm.pdx.edu for information on INPM’s nonprofit courses and events