Break Away: The Alternative Break Connection is seeking an exceptional leader to join our staff full-time as the Programs Director. Below is a detailed job description, but in summary, this individual would join our small staff and be primarily responsible with supporting our Chapter schools in program development, organizing and training at weekend or week-long trainings, and conducting outreach to colleges, universities, media, and alumni.

Break Away is the national nonprofit which trains and supports students and staff leaders in developing and running high quality alternative break programs. Our vision is a society of active citizens and we believe in alternative breaks acts as a catalyst experience in creating such.

The Break Away Programs Director is a full time position with Break Away, responsible for providing products and services that grow or benefit the current network of 150 college and university Chapter schools. This includes maintaining and creating high quality trainings, manuals, curriculum, and support services that will benefit and grow membership. The successful Programs Director will possess a thorough knowledge of Break Away and alternative break programs, small workshop facilitation, and volunteer management. Applicants should view this position as leadership in a dynamic and creative nonprofit.

Having created and/or led trainings for alternative breaks leaders or participants will be very beneficial in this role; however we are looking for someone who has proven their ability to do the job we have outlined below, has the ability to flourish and be creative in autonomous work, brings strength to team based work, is capable of building good relationships with our constituents, and has integrity and passion in working towards Break Away’s vision.

Given the need to fill this position by July16th, we will be accepting resumes until May 22nd, and would like to make our final selection and notification by June 18th. Please contact the Executive Director, Jill Piacitelli (jp {at} alternativebreaks(.)org) if you are interested and have questions; no calls please. Please send this information far and wide or to others you feel may be a good candidate.

Hours: 40 hours/week, Mon-Fri. Evenings and weekends as needed.*
Location: Atlanta, GA
*The Alternative Breaks Citizenship schools are Break Away’s week-long trainings during the summer. The Programs Director will be required to attend these time-intensive events.

Individuals wishing to apply should send a cover letter and resume to Jill Piacitelli, jp {at} alternativebreaks(.)org, no later than 5pm ET on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong knowledge of and experience with campus alternative break programs
• Demonstrably strong communication skills – both written and verbal
• Strong working knowledge Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
• Bachelor’s degree

EXPERIENCE WITH THE FOLLOWING IS HELPFUL:

• Quickbooks (2009 Nonprofit Edition)
• Adobe Creative Suite Software (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Flash)
• HTML/web management and SQL
• Graphic Design
• Good poster/flipchart handwriting

BREAK AWAY PROGRAM DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Carry out ongoing recruitment and management of potential, new, current, and former Chapter schools, building positive and beneficial relationship
• Maintain, improve, and create high quality manuals, materials released to public/media, and workshop curriculum – with a particular emphasis on the Chapter manuals, Site Leader Retreat workshops, and ABCs manual and workshops.
• Work with Executive Director to develop new programming in line with strategic planning

TRAINER/CONSULTANT

• Plan, manage and attend 3 week-long national Alternative Break Citizenship schools (ABCs). This includes selecting sites, logistical preparation, social issue education, ABCs staff recruitment and hiring, service project development, curriculum development, program design, etc.
• Conduct 5-10 two-day retreats (Site Leader Retreats) during the fall months for campus leaders of alternative break programs
• Serve as point person for 10-20 Site Leader Retreats – a series of workshops based on the Eight Quality Components, the Active Citizen Continuum, and other Break Away curriculum and alternative break best practices. Includes:
• Manage and schedule 3-5 Break Away trainers/consultants
• Development and maintenance of the training calendar
• Creating training agendas and prep materials
• Designing and update paper materials (recruitment, handouts, follow up)
• Ensure follow-up, reorientation, and payment

MOVEMENT BUILDING

• Contribute regularly to the Break Away communication – listserv messages, Facebook, etc.
• Work with constituents and media to maintain positive relationships as main point of contact for Break Away through answering basic questions and helping them to utilize Break Away products and services – via phone, email, and in person.
• Manage the breakaway {at} alternativebreaks(.)org account
• Oversee National Chapter Survey and annually compile and distribute national statistics
• Aid in outreach efforts by participating in listservs, conferences, and other presentations
• Oversee the National Awards process, including recruiting selections committees and facilitating selections process and developing all written materials (applications, promotions, award letters).
• Work with Community Partner Coordinator and Executive Director on assessment and research projects
• National Conference Calls: develop and facilitate New Member Orientation and National Chapter Calls.

SUPERVISION
Oversee Break Away summer interns. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Recruiting candidates
• Running the selections process (written applications and phone interviews)
• Training interns as ABCs facilitators
• Delegating and managing office work
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteer Programs Board through various project cycles
• Work with Board Treasurer to input Break Away financials into Quickbooks, run reports, and maintain good standing with federal and state taxes