Director of Omega School

The Director of Omega School will provide leadership and support for the programs, staff, and students of Omega School of Literacy Network, which offers personalized GED/HSED instruction to English- and Spanish-speaking students, including young adults 16-26 and adults. They will serve as a visible representative of Omega School in the community and support fundraising efforts as part of Literacy Network’s broader fundraising strategy.

The Director will set high expectations for Omega students and engage students with flexibility, patience, humor, and firmness. They will cultivate key relationships with Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), Madison College, and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI); they will also partner effectively with other organizations that provide resources to students facing barriers including housing, transportation, childcare, and physical, mental, or behavioral health.

The Director will supervise and support staff, including by managing the Omega School building to ensure a safe, comfortable learning environment, and by maintaining a culture in which Omega School is a welcoming, accepting space for all students.

The Director will report to the Executive Director of Literacy Network and will serve as part of the Literacy Network management team. They will engage in regular outreach to connect meaningfully with students’ families, communities, and supporters, and advocate passionately for adult and alternative education. This advocacy will include engaging supporters through public speaking and meetings with individual donors and grant funders as part of a larger Literacy Network fundraising strategy.

Immediate Supervisor: Executive Director

Hours: 36.5 hours/week. Hybrid work-from-home/on-site as per employee handbook. Flexibility required. Position will require some evening and weekend work.

Salary: $67-75K/year, commensurate with experience. Literacy Network offers full health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits as part of a generous benefits package in partnership with Tandem HR.  

To Apply: Email cover letter and resume to Jennifer Peterson, Associate Director (jennifer@litnetwork.org) no later than midnight on Sunday, October 6^th, 2024.

Responsibilities:

1. Omega School Program & Staff Supervision       40%

• • Oversee all Omega School of Literacy Network programs and services to the end of meeting students’ needs to the utmost of our ability
  • Hire, train, supervise, and support professional development for Omega School program managers and instructors
  • Work with staff to create and implement strategies for program growth and improvement; ensure alignment to Literacy Network’s mission and strategic goals
  • Support staff in developing and managing curricula and resources for their programs
  • Utilize current research in mentoring, adult education, and literacy acquisition to support team members in making strategic decisions regarding program development
  • Facilitate collaboration and strategic work between Omega School staff and staff of other departments; serve as a member of Literacy Network’s management team
  • Provide staff with budgetary guidelines developed in collaboration with the Executive Director and management team; ensure responsible program spending
  • Ensure compliance with applicable DPI requirements and guidance for GED, HSED and Alternative Education programs
  • Coordinate graduation ceremonies
  • Supervise interns and volunteers
  • Oversee maintenance and functioning of the Omega School building

2. Student Accountability & Engagement         20%

• • Welcome new Omega students warmly; communicate program expectations
  • Provide encouragement and accountability; reach out to students to support attendance
  • Address any behavioral issues in collaboration with staff and according to program policy
  • Provide resources and support to students struggling with barriers, including issues with housing, transportation, or childcare as well as trauma, mental/behavioral health, LGBTQIA+ issues, and the impacts of systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia
  • Maintain relationships with the parents or other family members of young adult students when appropriate
  • Maintain relationships as needed with referring agencies (case workers, guidance counselor/school district, probation officers, etc.)

3. Partnership, Grant, & Contract Management       20%

• • Develop and maintain productive partnerships with granting/funding agencies including City of Madison, Dane County, and MMSD and other local school districts; attend partnership meetings/conferences
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and Grants Manager to identify and pursue relevant grant funding opportunities
  • Collaborate with staff to identify, pursue, and maintain community program partnerships in alignment with mission and strategic goals
  • Ensure staff are collecting and tracking student demographic and outcome data regularly and accurately
  • Support Omega staff in developing memoranda of understanding in program partnerships
  • Collaborate with Grants Manager and program staff to submit timely and accurate reports and grant applications

4. Outreach & Advocacy          15%

• • Represent Omega School of Literacy Network in the community
  • Cultivate meaningful, trusted relationships with prospective Omega students and their families, communities, and supporters
  • Advocate actively for young adult, adult, and alternative education
  • Support funding efforts for Omega School of Literacy Network as part of Literacy Network’s overall fundraising strategy

5. General Office Duties / Agency Representation       5%

• • Support colleagues in staffing the Omega School office and assisting students in person and on the telephone as needed
  • Engage in professional development opportunities as applicable and as schedule permits
  • Act as a representative of Literacy Network in the community, on behalf of our student population and in service to community members seeking information on any Literacy Network program and this position’s areas of expertise

Qualifications

The ideal candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to alternative education, and a belief in the potential of all students to reach their goals. They must be flexible and willing to work with young adults and adults from diverse backgrounds, especially those who need special support.

The successful applicant is collaborative, caring, respectful, and can build trusted relationships with the communities Omega serves. They are well-informed of the needs of vulnerable student populations and can work well in multicultural teams and with diverse constituencies. They can handle conflict constructively and have a sense of humor. They are self-motivated, persistent, communicative, and remain balanced under pressure. They can represent Omega School of Literacy Network positively and advocate effectively for adult and alternative education in and beyond Dane County.

The following skills and attributes are desired:

• • Degree or certificate in education, alternative education, special education, social work, or related area, or comparable relevant work experience

• • Life experiences that allow them to understand and relate to Omega students and their communities are an asset in this role

• • At least 3 years of leadership/supervisory experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization

• • Ability to think strategically and critically

• • Experience in planning and implementing adult or alternative education programs

• • Experience working with young adults & adults from diverse backgrounds

• • Experience teaching or tutoring in a community-based setting

• • Experience with grant-writing and/or fundraising is an asset in this role

• • Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills; excellent oral communication and presentation skills; Spanish language fluency helpful but not required

• • Excellent written communication, research, and organizational skills

• • Experience with software for word processing and database management

• • Commitment to Literacy Network’s mission; interest, enthusiasm, and affinity for working with people to achieve their goals

This position description offers guidelines for the employee, however in no way limits the scope of the position nor limits opportunities for expansion of the duties and responsibilities of the employee.

Literacy Network offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an attractive benefits package. Literacy Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strongly believes it benefits from the perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse staff.