Director of Healing Center Learning: Drexel University

About Drexel

Drexel is one of Philadelphia’s top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America’s 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

Job Summary

The Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice (CNSJ) at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health (Center) works to promote health, nonviolence and social justice through trauma informed practice, research, professional development, and advocacy for policy change. The flagship programs of the Center are Healing Hurt People, an innovative hospital and community-based violence intervention program and the Community Health Worker/Certified Peer Specialist (CHWP) Training Academy, a trauma informed, mutual learning workforce development program young adults with lived experience of violence to gain credentials as CHWs and CPSs and become healers and helpers in their own communities. The Academy helps young people grow into trauma informed, human services professionals who share life experience with their clients, break down stigma, and walk alongside people to help them access services.

The Director of Healing Centered Learning is responsible for the design and oversight of CNSJ’s trauma-informed youth career and college pathway programming and directly supervises the Healing Centered Learning Department within CNSJ. This Department currently includes 5 FTE positions with expectations of adding 5 FTE positions during FY2022. This position includes the oversight of the Community Health Worker/Certified Peer Specialist Training Academy, Communities of Young People Healing, Experiencing & Rebuilding (CYPHER) program and other initiatives as dictated by funding. This position reports to the Executive Director of CNSJ and is tasked with supporting the Executive Director in developing and executing a long-range trauma-informed youth and young adult career development strategy at CNSJ. The successful candidate will be sensitive to issues of race, violence and trauma, an energetic leader and self-starter, experienced in supervision and program management, possess a diverse skillset and able to effectively multi-task and problem solve.

Essential Functions

Program Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Oversee trauma-informed youth career and college pathway programs to ensure high-quality programming and contractual compliance
• Manage programmatic budgets and expense spending for department contracts and programs
• Responsible for program design, implementation, quality assurance and performance management of all Healing Centered Learning department programs
• Manage programmatic budgets and expense spending for Healing Centered Learning programs
• Directly responsible for program quality assurance by creating and utilizing data reports to address problems and ensure programs are performing to funders’ standards; Oversee quantitative and qualitative program evaluation and research of and evaluation and research of Healing Centered Learning programs
• Responsible for implementing and fostering social justice focused, trauma-informed and healing-centered service delivery framework

Strategic Development

• Work with CNSJ leadership team and relevant stakeholders to plan the implementation of new programs; Craft a Center-wide approach to youth higher-education and career development that will guide the Center’s long-range strategy
• Build and maintain partnerships with employers, training providers and higher education institutions to strengthen referral strategies for participants
• Support the CNSJ leadership team with fiscal management, grant applications and fundraising to sustain and grow Healing Centered Learning programming
• Set strategic priorities for the department that are aligned with the strategic priorities of the Center, and translate these priorities into concrete action and results
• Provide expertise to Center leadership on best practices for developing an effective peer workforce in Center programming
• Build relationships with key stakeholders and local, state, and national entities to enhance CNSJ’s reputation and mission, and to bolster recognition of CNSJ as an authority on trauma-informed Healing Centered Learning programming

Personnel Management

• Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of Healing Centered Learning Department personnel
• Provide direct supervision to direct reports; ensure quality supervision is provided to all department personnel, including direct reports of Project Manager and Training Supervisor; provide oversight and review of annual performance reviews and work plans
• Ensure adherence of supervisors to agency policy regarding personnel management, engaging the Human Resources department as appropriate, and providing active coaching of supervisors on staff development
• Conduct staff performance evaluations of all assigned at the end of each introductory period and annually and adhere as well to agency personnel policy
• Regularly direct the work of, schedule, and provide staff development opportunities and training

Additional Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position

Required Qualifications

• One of the following combinations of education/experience: Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of experience in a non-profit management or leadership role OR Master’s Degree with 3 years of experience in a non-profit management or leadership role
• Sensitivity to issues of race, violence, and trauma
• Experience with trauma informed care, positive youth development, and/or harm reduction framework
• Experience working with individuals who have experienced significant barriers to employment, including history of violence, trauma, homelessness, incarceration, substance use and mental health challenges
• Ability to navigate diverse communities, systems, and organizations
• Enthusiastic, supportive, and adaptable approach to training and supervision
• Excellent presentation, communication, written and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to multi-task and be flexible to changes
• Strong organizational, planning and classroom management skills
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office and basic computer skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the City of Philadelphia workforce development and adult education systems and strategies
• Experience working with major Philadelphia workforce development and adult education funders such as Philadelphia Works, Inc. (PWI) and Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN)
• Experience working with adult learners and/or opportunity youth
• Experience planning/facilitating interactive trainings for adult learners
• Experience in program design
• Prior experience with grant applications
• Prior experience in project management is preferred

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands up to 25lbs

Location

Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of L. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.