SCS Site Coordinator (Courtenay)

Urban Initiatives Overview

Founded in 2003, Urban Initiatives is a nonprofit organization that runs youth development programs in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Urban Initiatives’ mission is to use the power of sport and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. Currently, Urban Initiatives serves an estimated 85 schools throughout the City of Chicago.


Site Coordinator, Sustainable Community Schools

Urban Initiatives is seeking a Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) Site Coordinator to lead implementation of the SCS model. The SCS model is a transformative, justice-centered approach to education rooted in racial equity, community self-determination, and whole child development. This full-time role reports to the Director, OST and the School Principal, and bridges school, family, and community partnerships to dismantle oppressive systems, foster healing, and create sustainable systems of support.

The SCS Site Manager engages deeply with students, families, educators, community partners, and leadership bodies to build a shared vision and collaborative strategies, so that the SCS Principles, Praxes, and Pillars are fully integrated into the school's culture. This is a role for a strategist, mentor, planner, implementer, people-person, and motivator who advocates for youth voice and models positive, responsible, and healthy behavior for the school community.

What This Role Supports

Depending on the school community's needs and the SCS plan, this role may support:

  • The SCS Leadership Team
  • Community Studies and the Needs and Assets Assessment
  • School-based and community-based programs and services
  • Outreach and engagement with youth, parents, educators, and community members

Our Culture

Our healing-centered approach to youth development helps young people reach their full potential and puts YOU right in the middle of making an impact that will shape generations of Chicago youth. We are coaches by trade, and we bring this expertise into our work environment. You can expect us to deliver ample learning opportunities, growth mindsets, a culture of feedback and transparency, and fun as a core value. Our first-in-class benefits, including competitive salaries and fully-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, are guaranteed to keep you in the game.

Are you ready to put passion into action to build a stronger Chicago?

Core Responsibilities

  • Leadership and Coordination
    • Facilitate whole-school and community planning aligned with SCS principles and pillars
    • Help develop, convene, and maintain a representative SCS Leadership Team of youth, parents, educators, school staff, and community members that meets monthly
    • Support shared leadership by encouraging equitable participation, decision-making, and goal-setting across all school groups
    • Align, coordinate, and connect school-based and community-based resources to meet the collective vision
  • Community Engagement
    • Facilitate ongoing community studies to map school and neighborhood assets, needs, leaders, and opportunities
    • Develop authentic, trusting relationships with all members of the school community, centering the voices of those historically excluded from decision-making
    • Organize and facilitate regular opportunities for the school community to learn about, participate in, and shape the SCS strategy
    • Work with the Leadership Team to design outreach strategies that engage at least 75% of each stakeholder group (youth, parents, educators, community)
  • Vision, Strategic Planning, and Implementation
    • Co-design and lead a Needs and Assets Assessment process with the SCS Leadership Team
    • Translate findings with the Leadership Team into strategic goals integrated into school planning documents (e.g., CIWP, budget priorities)
    • Develop and share reports, presentations, and other communication tools to ensure transparency and accountability
    • Manage community school programs and work with parents, students, teachers, and school administrators to develop new and sustainable programs
  • Systems, Data, and Compliance
    • Create a program plan that aligns with the compliance requirements of the funding source
    • Develop and implement a program and services recruitment plan with school leaders
    • Maintain timely, accurate attendance records, including program rosters, paper attendance forms and sign-in sheets, and electronic attendance tracking and data entry in CitySpan
    • Establish a procedure for instructors to submit attendance on time, and collect attendance regularly to ensure compliance
    • Manage timesheets, check requests, check distribution, and reimbursements for all SCS staff and instructors, following the payment schedule for timely submittal
    • Follow all CPS Policies and Procedures
  • Collaboration and Professional Learning
    • Work closely with the LPA, school leadership, and other SCS Coordinators across the SCS village to share learning and strengthen practice
    • Participate in professional development, coaching, and communities of practice to continuously improve SCS implementation
    • Foster a culture of reflective learning within the school community, promoting continuous improvement and sustainable growth

Key Competencies for Success

  • Relationship Management: Builds authentic, trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, especially those historically excluded from decision-making
  • Facilitation: Leads equitable meetings and planning processes that support shared leadership and community-led decision-making
  • Equity and Justice Orientation: Applies a commitment to racial justice, equity, and power analysis to everyday work
  • Time and Resource Management: Manages multiple projects, coordinates across sectors, and keeps attendance, payments, and documentation accurate and on time
  • Problem Solving: Resolves conflict, innovates, and follows through collaboratively to build a strong team

What we look for in a candidate

  • Deep commitment to racial justice, equity, and community-led decision-making
  • Proven experience in community organizing, youth development, education, or related fields
  • Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate across sectors, and innovate
  • Skill in conflict resolution, power analysis, and equitable meeting facilitation
  • Commitment to problem-solving, collaboration, and building a strong team
  • Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools and local community-based organizations (preferred)
  • Bilingual skills, particularly Spanish or other languages represented in the community (preferred)
  • Experience in restorative practices, culturally sustaining pedagogy, or wraparound service coordination (preferred)

Compensation Package

  • $55,000 Competitive salary
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance premium options available
  • Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance are paid 100% by Urban Initiatives
  • Option to contribute to a 401K with up to a 3% match of your salary after one full year of employment
  • Flexible Time Off available
  • Paid holidays (Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve through New Year's Day)

Additionally, our values of Teamwork and Inclusion ensure that Urban Initiatives is an environment where you will be supported and welcomed by your coworkers and peers.

Programming

Chicago, IL

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