The Organization 

DreamYard Vision: 

Building Artists- Building Community- Building Dreams- To change the world. DreamYard Mission and History: 

DreamYard, founded in 1994, is a Bronx-based organization that uses the arts, social justice pedagogy and digital and connected learning to inspire youth, public schools and communities. DreamYard’s yearlong arts programs develop artistic voices, nurture young peoples’ desire to make change and cultivate the skills necessary to reach positive goals. By committing to sustained learning opportunities along an educational pathway, with 45 partnering public schools K-12th Grade, with our own DY Prep HS School and at the DreamYard Art Center in Morrisania, DreamYard supports young people as they work toward higher learning, meaningful careers and social action. We seek to be effective locally while having a national impact through partnerships, collaboration and learning exchanges. 

Anti-racism Commitment: 

At DreamYard, we commit to being an anti-racist organization. We lead with race because we operate in a country founded on the genocide of Indigenous people, the enslavement of African people, and the oppression of countless others. We acknowledge the role this history plays in perpetuating inequity and dominant white culture. 


We are intentionally building a path toward racial equity by:

  • Challenging oppression and its intersections 

  • Using art and education as a platform to offer a hopeful vision of the future 

  • Identifying and uplifting the power and cultural assets that exist within our community of educators, artists, dreamers, young people and life-long learners 

  • Encouraging the principles of justice, unity, equity, creativity, and joy 

  • Transforming policies, procedures, practices, and programs (for example: striving for transparency and equity in pay and compensation structures regardless of race, culture, gender, ethnicity, creed, etc.) 

  • Understanding our staff, community members and partners are at different levels on the anti-racist continuum and embracing that we all have a place in this work


Approach:

Our core values of Activate, Create, Connect, and Nurture describe our commitment to teaching for equity, justice and hope. We strive to support students’ academic and artistic needs while working toward becoming an anti-racist society. 

The Community 

DreamYard is focused in the Bronx, a borough that possesses incredible cultural, human and economic assets. In addition to work throughout the Bronx, DreamYard partners with local, national and international communities using the arts to build bridges to opportunity. The organization believes that the arts are a necessary part of developing our local assets to their greatest potential. 



Job Description

As a key member of DreamYard’s Arts Center Programs team, the Associate Director will work closely with, and as a thought partner to the Director of Art Center Programs. The Associate Director will contribute to establishing the scope, content, structure of DY Art Center Programs. The individual will oversee the day-to-day operation and integrity of Art Center Programs. 

This position is a critical, visible position requiring exceptional organizational and operational management skills, leadership, strong team management and development experience, and successful experience managing government contracts. The Associate Director should be highly flexible, committed to excellence in their work, and dedicated to youth development, social justice and the creative arts. They are a hands on critical thinker, a problem solver, and excellent communicator, with exceptional organizational skills. 

Essential functions:

  • Program Management

    • Oversee DY Art Center MINIs, Middle School, and High School Programs

    • Responsible for coordinating program logistics

    • Manage and support Program Managers, including on-site staff coverage

    • Oversee the day-to-day activities / events of the Art Center 

    • Develop educational and recreational summer and school year programming in accordance with Department of Youth and Community Develop (DYCD) and School Age Child Care (SACC) guidelines

    • Build relationships with stakeholders, including participants, parents, and community partners

  • Compliance and Reporting

    • Ensure the efficacy of existing and new programs, including but not limited to achieving measurable goals in line with DY mission and DYCD / SACC contractual obligations

    • Oversee DYCD Contracts & SACC Licensing

    • Monitor and ensure the integrity of all Middle and High school participant documentation, including rosters and attendance to support contract compliance and DYCD Site Visits

    • Update and submit DYCD Work Scope annually upon contract renewal and throughout the school year, as needed

    • Correspond with DYCD program managers for contract support, troubleshooting and schedule / attendance unlock requests; oversee and monitor DYCD COMPASS Database to ensure program is meeting contract compliance reporting, enrollment numbers and rates of participation

    • Direct contact and reporting to DYCD & SACC Program Managers, oversight responsibility of DYCD & SACC site visits / audits and attendance at DYCD Director meetings

  • Outreach, Recruitment, and Retention 

    • Partner with the Program Managers, Community Organizer, and other stakeholders,  to maintain and build new partnerships with local schools and community organizations to help with recruitment, retention, and rate of participation

    • Oversee recruitment efforts to ensure rate of participation goals are reached and clients are served

  • Shared leadership

    • Work with the Art Center Director to develop and implement staff professional development workshops responsive to youth, staff, and community needs

    • Participate in cross organization working groups and committees to achieve organizational goals; attend professional development meetings, staff meetings, and community meetings as needed

    • Build positive, appropriate relationships with participants and families 

    • Represent DreamYard and the Art Center in a manner that reflects our core values, our vision, and our approach

    • Support colleagues in programs both on and off site as needed

    • Perform other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications and Competencies:

  • Minimum of 4 years experience as a leader in youth work, creative arts, and / or social justice (or similar experience)

  • Candidate must have at minimum, an Associates Degree 

  • Excellent project management, organizational, and problem solving skills

  • High attention to detail

  • Knowledge of DYCD, SACC, and New York City and New York State contract compliance protocols

  • Experience working closely with immigrants, youth, people of color, and communities who have historically and structurally been marginalized

  • Experience with and passion for working with young people who have a broad range of abilities and learning; embraces a strengths-based approach to youth work

  • Excellent research, written, interpersonal, and verbal skills; Ability to communicate directly and sensitively

  • Proficient computer skills (spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, word processing, data input)

  • Propensity to set clear goals and high expectation for students, self, staff, and colleagues; commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and professional development

  • Ability to work Independently, flexibly, and collaboratively 

  • Skills to create and manage dynamic systems that are student and people centered

  • Capacity to think critically and creatively 

  • Available to work weekends and some evenings

  • Fluent in written and spoken English; bilingual Spanish speakers strongly encouraged to apply

  • Bronx natives encouraged to apply; direct working knowledge of the South Bronx and the Morrisania community a plus

To Apply 


Please submit (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter providing more in-depth information on your professional experience, (3) a writing sample (2) pages maximum), and (4) contact information for at least three academic or professional references by August 30, 2021 to the link below:

https://app.trinethire.com/companies/32874-dreamyard-project-inc/jobs/44542-associate-director-of-art-center-programs

About DreamYard 

DreamYard offers competitive salaries, an excellent benefits package, and generous paid time off; startingng salary for this position is commensurate with experience and with similar positions citywide. 

DreamYard is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the principles of arts education, educational reform and social justice, and fashions its programs to specifically address the needs of urban communities that are typically underrepresented because of race, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Accordingly, we welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals. Bronx based and Spanish-speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. DreamYard Project, Inc. employs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other attribute not related to superior performance.


Disclaimer:
Job duties and requirements are ever changing based on the demands of the client, industry and company. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities, but is an overall picture of job requirements, that is subject to modification at the company’s discretion.



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