About Arts for Learning Maryland

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide -- on average -- over 560,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 155,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. The staff, board, and teaching artists have a shared commitment to advance equity in the field of education by working tirelessly to generate opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

Job Description:

Arts for Learning (A4L) is seeking a Community Schools Coordinator (CSC) who is passionate about transforming education through the arts and is an experienced builder of community. Arts for Learning serves as a Community Schools Lead Agency for Baltimore City Schools and partners with select schools committed to building a school and community culture that embraces the arts and teaching artists as a primary vehicle for this change. The CSC will be matched with one school, which will be their primary place of employment. The CSC will serve a vital leadership role within the school, helping to not only develop a strategic plan for the school but also develop partnerships and find the resources to implement the plan for the school. The CSC will develop a system of support for students, families, and community members. Additionally, the CSC is responsible for implementing systems, procedures, and policies; monitoring and implementing projects. 

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Director of Community Programs with a dotted line to the principal of the partner school, who will provide supervision and mentorship on a day-to-day basis. 

For more information about Community Schools in Maryland and what the state expectations are, please read this Community Schools Toolkit from the Maryland State Department of Education.

Responsibilities Include: 

Partnership Development and Cultivation (20% of Time)

• Serves as liaison between the school and external partners and facilitates communication, planning, and collaboration between partners.
• Stewards and cultivates relationships with partners by organizing and participating in regular partner meetings and other opportunities for information sharing and relationships.
• Assesses for improvement and shared accountability between partnerships.
• Lead the promotion and cultivation of the arts within the school community.

Administration (20% of Time)

• Acts as a thought partner to school leadership on the efficient use of resources to ensure fidelity in creating and managing the community school implementation budget.
• Contribute to the alignment of A4L goals with the broader mission and goals of the assigned school and Baltimore City Public Schools by supporting various school committees—including but not limited to the Attendance Team, Student Support Team, and School Family Council.
• Serves as a liaison and connector for many different areas (family and community engagement, youth development, and strategic partnerships), including active membership and participation on school-based teams (e.g., student support/student wellness team, school family council, attendance team, and school leadership team).
• Develops, maintains, and strengthens relationships with school leadership and staff, community partners, parents, and students.
• Fulfills contractual requirements to include professional development, reporting, meetings, database management, and other deliverables as outlined in the scope of work and action plan.
• Coordinates and adheres to timelines for responding to MSDE state reporting and BCPSS requirements, inquiries, and continuous monitoring process.
• Facilitates and provides leadership through collaboration to resolve related service delivery, access, and coordination issues.
• Communicates and collaborates with Arts for Learning supervisor, team, and other departments as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Attends various Arts for Learning meetings and training as appropriate.

Family Engagement (40% of Time)

• Coordinates and promotes consistent opportunities for collaboration between and among school leadership, faculty, staff, students, families, and partners.
• Builds awareness and expands the reach of the community school strategy in the identified school and surrounding community through strategic communications and community engagement efforts.
• Utilizes multiple tools and platforms for communication, including actively leading social media platforms for the school site.
• Assists directly with information sharing and referral services to maintain an effective referral process to community resources.
• Plans and executes family engagement activities.
• Develops, maintains, and publicizes a schedule of programs and activities offered at the school, along with a monthly newsletter.
• Advocates for students, families, and community members within the school neighborhood, developing a continuum of services as needed.
• Facilitates awareness of needs and trends within the community.
• Develops administrative agreements/MOUs with partners to provide services. 

Frontline School Support (Not to exceed - 20% of Time)

• Understands the day-to-day needs and challenges of the school and provides front-line (student/school community/family facing) support in critical areas identified by the principal and school leadership. This includes but is not limited to, running the school’s food pantry, applying for grants.

Qualifications:

While no one candidate will possess every qualification or quality outlined for this position, the successful candidate will hold many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes. If you are excited about this role and hold some of these attributes, we encourage you to apply!

• Knowledge and understanding of community school principles and national standards for success, with demonstrated experience cultivating academic partnerships for powerful learning experiences, creating integrated health and social supports, and authentically engaging families and communities for student and school success.
• Direct experience with Baltimore City Schools and/or the school community (former staff, students, or parents/family of City Schools students, etc.).
• At least two (2) years of successful experience working with urban public school systems, including the development and implementation of youth development programs, community organizing, family engagement, and/or education policy.
• Outstanding writing, organization, and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a consistent ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with peers and leaders to gather the information you need and build strong relationships in these efforts.
• A commitment to racial equity. You are excited to examine and reimagine systems and practices, including traditional best practices in philanthropy, to advance equity and liberation.
• Ability to adapt and respond productively to unanticipated challenges.
• Experience and skill with computer-based word processing and database management, including experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Experience with Salesforce and/or ASANA is a plus.

Please note:

This is an on-site position with placement at a specific school site. Hours will vary depending on school events and needs, with occasional evenings and weekends required. 

Frequent walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key, and handle or feel small controls and objects. The employee must frequently talk and hear. Weight of up to 25 pounds is frequently lifted. The employee is occasionally seated while performing the duties of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Compensation:

The salary for this position is $67,000. We offer an attractive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

To Apply:

For consideration, please apply on our website at artsforlearningmd.org. Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.

Arts for Learning Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, veteran status, and disability. All qualified applications will be given equal opportunity.