Training & Education Curriculum Specialist

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JOB NOTICE: Training and Education Curriculum Specialist

Looking for a role where you can contribute to changing life in foster care for young people across the country? Consider joining the team at FosterClub, the national network for young people in foster care. 

FosterClub is looking for an experienced educator with a passion for positive youth development and a commitment to justice. As a curriculum generalist, you are well-read in a number of issues relevant to the foster care experience. Training and Education develops our signature SPARK Curriculum that is facilitated by peers, designs Foster Parent Online Training, and writes for print publications for young people in foster care. The specialist plays a critical role in developing a high volume of curriculum materials and supporting young people through training and education events and activities.      

Job Type: Full-Time, Non-exempt, 40 hours per week 

Reports to: Training & Education Manager

Location: FosterClubHQ, Seaside Oregon 

Compensation: Annual salary range of $40,000 - $45,000 DOQ

FosterClub offers generous paid time off, 10 paid holidays plus a birthday holiday each year, fully paid medical and dental coverage for full-time employees, and participates in the OregonSaves retirement program. Information about our work environment and culture can be found in the FosterClub Culture section of this job notice.

Start Date: ASAP

A six-month probationary period applies; quarterly performance and compensation evaluations are standard throughout the organization. 

The regular work schedule will be 8:30AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday with a 30 minute lunch; some extended hours and/or schedule changes may occur, primarily during the months of May-August.

What You’ll Do

Your job here is to collaboratively develop youth and adult curricula using your knowledge of quality education and training experiences, while using a trauma-informed, foster-informed, and healing-centered approach.

Key functions include:

  • Youth Curriculum Production – 50%

    • Develop peer-led workshops on topics relevant to young people in foster care

    • Develop audience-specific live trainings designed to be facilitated by FosterClub’s Young Leaders. Live trainings may be presented to foster youth, child welfare professionals, foster parents, mentors, and caregivers. 

    • Integrates feedback from constituents in the development and review of training materials; gives special attention to feedback from youth impacted by the structural inequity and implicit biases of the child welfare system (i.e. LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, tribal youth and immigrant youth)

  • Adult Stakeholder Curriculum Production– 30%

    • Assist in the development and delivery of online webinars and training, including foster parent online training 

    • Create multimedia, web-based training content  

  • Youth or Adult Training Support  – 10%

    • Support All-Star intern activities during internship season, including hosting briefing and debriefing, and supporting youth during travel to youth conferences 

    • Supports, trains, and coaches Young Leaders and Peer Leaders who present curriculum and training materials

  • General  - 10%

    • Ensure that all curricula are aligned with and supportive of FosterClub's mission and strategic plan

    • Work cross-functionally with program teams to ensure organizational and departmental training needs are met 

    • “Other duties as assigned - Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.”

What You’ve Already Done

  • You have a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s preferred, or equivalent professional experience in the fields of education, social services, learning design, adult education, or related fields 

  • You have at least 1 year experience in a similar role

  • You have worked directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

  • While lived experience is not required, this is an excellent opportunity for candidates with experience in foster care

OR

  • You can show an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job successfully. Non-traditional career pathways will receive full consideration. 

Who You Are

  • You are a joyful, collaborative colleague interested in both rigor and flexibility in terms of learning design 

  • You have a working knowledge of pedagogical practices and ways of knowing that center the needs of Black, Indigenous, Queer, and/or Trans youth 

  • You are skilled in coaching young people in their facilitation practice 

  • You are equally adept at supporting a youth camp as you are developing online training for foster parents 

  • You can simultaneously manage multiple projects from concept to completion

  • You like to work in a collaborative environment and are comfortable receiving and sharing constructive feedback

  • You share our commitment to working for greater Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in the child welfare system.

  • You can demonstrate your skill with the following:

    • G Suite: especially Google Docs

    • Marketing and promoting curriculum sales 

  • You enjoy working in an open office environment, and it will help if you like dogs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

  • Stationary position at a desk up to 40 hours per week 

  • Drafting/writing 80% of the time

  • Moving tubs or bin <35lbs, occasionally 

  • Ascend/descend one flight of stairs for staff/team meetings 2x’s per week

  • Extensive movement at youth events, occasionally on uneven terrain at youth camps

  • Driving youth in 12 passenger van occasionally 

  • Facilitation of physical learning activities, including stationary positions for extended periods of time

Travel

25% - 50% of time spent traveling or otherwise out of the office for training events 

 To Apply

  • Please submit a detailed resume and cover letter that describes how your prior experiences prepared you for this position to Erich Pitcher, Training & Education Manager, [email protected]

  • Priority deadline is March 16, 2020

  • Due to limited resources FosterClub will only contact shortlisted candidates

  • Any offer made will be conditional on receipt of two satisfactory references (from a recent employer or supervisor and a character reference)

  • Upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment the applicant will be expected to undergo a criminal background check and motor vehicle records check 

The FosterClub Culture

FosterClub is located in a light-filled, open-plan office situated just blocks from the beach and downtown Seaside. We regularly welcome the well-socialized, well-behaved dogs of our staff into the office. Our dress is best described as casual to business casual. Each week includes a Wellness Hour which offers the opportunity to take a walk, meditate, or participate in other individually-directed wellness activities. Our team actively engages in both individual and collective work to support meaningful diversity, full inclusion and equitable outcomes. We provide consistent and ongoing opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and coaching. Regularly scheduled 1:1 staffings, full staff meetings, and/or program team meetings allow for conversations that lead to improved individual, team, and organizational performance. Yearly staff retreats offer time to refocus and strategize as well as space for team-building activities, shared meals, and fun.

Our days are routinely fast paced and our to-do lists can be unpredictable.  We may find ourselves working long hours in order to welcome a new session of All-Star interns, complete a grant application or report, get a project across the finish line, or to assist youth as they prepare to share their experiences and recommendations with others who are committed to improving the child welfare system.  We expect staff to strategically prioritize multiple tasks or projects in order to bring an assignment or program vision to life. We value a growth mindset, a can-do attitude, and the willingness to dig in to create space for “FosterClub Magic.” Our work is sometimes difficult, but always rewarding. FosterClub strives to create an environment in which high levels of professional performance and accountability are the norm, balanced with the benefits and flexibility that support healthy work/life harmony.  

Equitable Employment Opportunity Statement

FosterClub is committed to building a more just, diverse, inclusive and accessible work environment. We strive to be a workplace where folks with traditionally marginalized identities and those with non-traditional career paths can thrive. As an Equitable Opportunity Employer we are also committed to upholding applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination in employment on the basis of age, ancestry, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or the presence of a physical, cognitive, or sensory disability. Black, African American, Latino/a/x, Native, and Indigenous people, LGBTQ+ people, and people with lived experience in foster care are urged to apply.