Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Unified Champion City Schools (UCCS) High School Manager
Department: Programming – Philadelphia
Relationships: The Philadelphia Unified Champion Schools (UCS) High School Manager reports to the Unified Champion Schools Director and works with the UCS team to implement UCS strategy within Philadelphia high schools; collaborates with school liaisons and UCS leadership teams within Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the school district of Philadelphia.
Location: The work location will be a mix of remote, SOPA-Philadelphia office (2900 Southampton Rd, Philadelphia, PA) and will include regular travel and work across participating Philadelphia schools and administrative offices.
Position Summary
The core work of the Philadelphia Unified Champion Schools Manager is to support socially inclusive schools and create opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities in Philadelphia to participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole School Engagement activities. The Philadelphia UCS High School Manager will be responsible for the continued development and operational success of UCCS programming in the City of Philadelphia for grades 9-12 along with a key focus on community integration (introducing students and families to Special Olympic opportunities in community programming). The manager will be a valued member of the SOPA team across Philadelphia schools and community programs with primary responsibility in managing school and community partnerships across all grade levels. In this role, the UCS Manager will contribute to overall UCS program success as a collaborative team member, play a key role in the management of external relationships with priority on SOPA’s collaboration with the Philadelphia high schools and growth of programming in the city of Philadelphia.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the Unified Champion Schools Program:
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is an education-based strategy for school’s Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion and positive school climate by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.
In the fall of 2021, Special Olympics North America launched the Unified Champion City Schools (UCCS) initiative - a targeted, strategic approach to implementing UCS programming in city schools and growing Unified school communities across the country. Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) has been leading UCS programming in Philadelphia for many years and the program is poised for significant growth through the UCCS initiative.
Key Responsibilities
This position will assume the following responsibilities to support SOPA's overall goals and objectives, specifically in the area of school-based Unified Champion City Schools initiatives in Philadelphia:
- Enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives that engage all students and stakeholders in Unified Champion Schools programming (in-school and outside of school-time)
- Establish, cultivate, and strengthen priority partnerships with the Philadelphia school district and departments supporting all programming; provide ongoing leadership and management of partnership agreements with individual schools within Philadelphia High Schools.
- Lead the successful planning and implementation of high school level programming, including all three UCS program components, fundraising within schools, and signature UCCS events in Philadelphia (competitions, outreach, and community engagement events)
- Oversee the growth and expansion of community partnerships that support UCS programming, family and community engagement, and student transitions, such as partnerships with, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Boys & Girls Club, and health organizations.
- Take the lead on developing strategies to improve the transition of students from UCS programming to community programming at all grade levels of participation through direct collaboration with regional team members.
- Support the development of the annual budget for the Philadelphia UCS program; assist with grant management and reporting requirements in accordance with UCCS initiatives and grant funding.
The Philadelphia UCS High School Manager will be a valued leader within the SOPA Region 6 team and will collaborate with colleagues, including the Region Executive Director, to support organizational success within the City of Philadelphia. Other duties as assigned.
*UCCS stands for Unified Champion City Schools, a part of the overall Unified Champion Schools movement across the Commonwealth of PA.
Qualifications:
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual with team and program leadership experience to grow and further develop a proven program. Specific requirements include:
- Three to five years of experience required; previous experience in a team management and/or supervisory role with successful experience motivating, leading, and engaging school staff, teachers and students is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated results in managing through complex systems and achieving goals through collaboration with strategic partners; experience working in or with a comprehensive school system; the ideal candidate has previous experience working with the School District of Philadelphia.
- Experience with program development and program evaluation; the ideal candidate has a background in inclusive sports, health and physical education.
- Experience with an urban school district and work with a diverse population of students, coaches, and administrators is preferred.
- Minimum of a BA with professional background in education and/or school and community programming
- Personal qualities of integrity, inclusivity and a commitment to and passion for the mission of Special Olympics PA
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, both verbal and written
- Strong computer skills, proficient in use of Microsoft Office software
- Able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
- Criminal history check and fingerprinting is required of all SOPA employees during the course of their employment. Your employment is conditional, pending the results of the background check.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Serious applicants will provide a cover letter, resume, and salary requirement. Resumes with cover letter will receive priority attention.
No phone calls will be accepted. Resumes sent for positions other than this posting will not receive a response. Communications from recruiters will not be acknowledged.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves and can do their best work.
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to 16,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For 50 years, SOPA and its 54 local programs have used the power of sports to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and unite everyone by fostering community and building a more acceptable and civil society. SOPA is much more than a sports organization. Through its Athlete Leadership Programs, athletes assume meaningful leadership roles, influence change within the Special Olympics movement and take on roles as Global Messengers (trained as public speakers for Special Olympics), athlete representatives, coaches, board members and more. SOPA also addresses major challenges facing its athletes including healthcare. The Healthy Athletes program offers athletes free health screenings in the form of eye, ear, dental and podiatry assessments. Athletes are also taught how to live active lifestyles, eat healthy and more. Additionally, SOPA strives to create a unified world by promoting inclusion, uniting communities, and changing attitudes. Through Unified Sports, SOPA brings together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities as equal teammates in training and competition, which promotes respect and acceptance, and facilitates meaningful relationships between people of all abilities. For more information about how you can join “The Inclusion Revolution,” visit www.specialolympicspa.org.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,533.00 - $53,291.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- After school
- Monday to Friday
Work setting:
Work Location: In person