Project Director - SR1

Job Description: SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative

Position Title:

Project Director

Reports to:

Executive Director

Location:

Scott County, Madison County

Salary Range: $55,000 - $90,000

SR1 Overview:

SR1, a nationally recognized non-profit based in Ridgeland, MS, is dedicated to promoting equity in health, education, and technology for all communities, emphasizing rural areas through strategic collaborations and partnerships. Having actively provided services in Scott County since 2011, SR1 is now poised to broaden its impact and reach with the support of high-quality partnerships.

SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone:

SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative is a visionary initiative dedicated to transforming communities. The name SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative is a symbol of our commitment to community-driven holistic community development that focuses on education, health, technology, and community well-being. The SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative seeks to empower communities and individuals for sustainable upward economic mobility and improved quality of life. Our groundbreaking model is designed to enhance the community’s economic mobility and is dedicated to the comprehensive and in-depth development of children, with a focus on social skills, health, education, and technology advancement. To bolster these advancements, we offer extensive evidence-based support programs that strengthen the family and community settings in which children live.

Job Summary:

The Project Director for the SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Promise Neighborhood Scott County initiative will lead the implementation of the Promise to Success Initiative in Scott County. This role ensures that all children within the community have access to a comprehensive, cradle-to-career continuum of solutions focused on education. The Project Director will be committed to equity and reducing disparities based on demographics, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation/gender identity, and socioeconomics, with a particular emphasis on supporting the traditionally underserved: Rural, Female, Hispanic/Latino, African-American and Indigenous communities.

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership and Representation:

• Act as the primary representative and spokesperson for the C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative in Scott County.

• Implement the Promise Neighborhood (PN) Plan with fidelity, utilizing a Results Framework to achieve clear results and objectives.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local schools, community partners, and families.

• Manage the daily operations of the SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative through staff, volunteer, and contractor development, supervising, and training, and program implementation and evaluation.

• Develop, monitor and refine programmatic operations and activities to achieve tasks, objectives, and goals.

• Ensure program compliance with United States Department of Education and EDGAR.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key government officials, agencies, and policymakers.

• Create new funding streams at the local, state, federal, and private levels.

• Present at government and community gatherings at the state and national levels.

• Establish a community service focus work environment for all staff, partners, community members, and students.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel independently.

• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Community Engagement:

• Engage with the community at the grassroots level to understand and address local needs and priorities.

• Develop and implement strategies to support and empower the multilingual community, ensuring cultural competence and sensitivity in all interactions.

• Foster multicultural integration and collaboration within the community to promote inclusivity and equity.

Program Implementation and Management:

• Facilitate the recruitment and manage the interview and selection process for positions within the initiative.

• Ensure the integration of a two-generation approach that combines education, workforce development, and supportive services for families.

• Oversee the implementation of the SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone Scott County Promise Neighborhood Initiative to ensure high-quality services are provided.

• Coordinate data collection, analysis, and reporting for evaluation and report writing.

Project Management:

• Convene and manage meetings, including sending invitations, managing responses, developing agendas, and documenting outcomes.

• Directly manage human and financial resources essential to strategic goals and setting timelines for achievement.

• Maintain strong working relationships with partners, particularly schools and project contractors.

• Hire and train project staff and partners to ensure understanding and contribution to project goals.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Provide necessary information and data to stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities.

• Complete Department of Education reports in a timely manner, ensuring higher-level reviews and timely filing.

• Monitor project contracts and expenditures to ensure budget compliance.

Resource Development and Sustainability:

• Support resource development and project sustainability by identifying potential partnerships and funding opportunities.

• Convene partners and the Advisory Committee regularly, establishing agendas, capturing and distributing notes, and ensuring effective follow-through on decisions.

• Manage communications and coordination of all internal and external functions.

Site Management:

• Manage the site locations within the neighborhood to ensure it meets program needs.

• Maintain open and effective communication and collect relevant data.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Proven three years of experience in project management, particularly in educational or community-based initiatives.

• Strong leadership, organizing, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity and reducing disparities.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Experience with data analysis and reporting.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced work environment.

• Demonstrated experience with federal grants management, including budgetary responsibility.

• Cultural competence and experience working with multicultural communities, particularly the Hispanic/Latino community.

• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment background check.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Familiarity with Results Count and Results Based Accountability (RBA) frameworks is preferred. Applicants without experience must be willing to learn, implement, and teach RBA to successfully implement the Promise Neighborhood program.

• Clear Impact provided SR1 with Scorecard and related training, CSSP provided the LDP and now the RBA course, and site liaisons have provided support related to performance and program indicators. All of this support will be made available to the Project Director in some form.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and references to info@sr1tech.org by December 31, 2024. SR1 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.