Special Olympics Ohio

POSITION TITLE:                                       Manager, Whole School Engagement, Unified Champion Schools

REPORTS TO:                                            Director, Unified Champion Schools

JOB CLASSIFICATION:                             Full-Time, Exempt

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:      No

LOCATION:                                                Remote and Northwest Ohio (with state-wide travel)

TRAVEL:                                                    50%

Position Summary

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is an education-based strategy for Pre-K through 12 and colleges/ universities that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments. UCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement. The Manager of Whole School Engagement is responsible for school-based program support and resources, school staff/volunteer training and management, and implementation of whole-school engagement initiatives in Pre-K to 12 schools. In addition, the Manager is responsible in the Northwest region for region-based growth, program leadership, direct management of the school relationships, and budgetary oversight related to Unified Champion Schools. Implementing whole school engagement activities on a year-round calendar—and working with the UCS staff to support the work in Inclusive Youth Leadership and Unified Sports®—will be the focus of the work.

This position requires a detail-oriented candidate who can engage with constituents at the school level: coaches, volunteers, educators, athletes (students with intellectual disabilities), partners (students without intellectual disabilities), and fans. The ideal candidate believes deeply in the mission of Special Olympics – in particular, in the value of Unified Champion Schools, in social inclusion as a school priority. This person will be capable of motivating and activating individuals and groups, holding face-to-face/virtual conversations, utilizing digital tools to promote the UCS efforts, implementing sports competitions, and collaborating effectively to ensure materials and resources earmarked to promote UCS are deployed effectively.

Essential Job Functions

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

• Drives and achieves Special Olympics Ohio’s strategic goals in assigned region to ensure progress toward the grant/funding metrics of Special Olympics North America’s (SONA) Unified Champion Schools objectives related to Unified Sports and Clubs
• In partnership with the Director, Unified Champion Schools, and UCS team, execute whole-community engagement opportunities across the state (i.e. memorandums of understanding with school districts/superintendents, colleges/universities, government engagement, professional sports organizations, places of worship, health organizations, media outlets)
• Collaborate, plan, organize, and implement high-caliber interscholastic sports competitions focused on inclusion, sportsmanship, school engagement, and athlete leadership, in the Northwest region
• Interface with other UCS, Special Olympics Ohio staff members, and community partners who support the activities of the Unified Sports and Clubs program
• Identify and develop a project plan from the 12 strategy points on which the UCS efforts will focus
• In collaboration with Special Olympics Ohio leadership, design and develop the plan, quarterly goals, and measures of success for the selected strategy points
• In collaboration with the Director, Unified Champion Schools, manage all aspects of regional UCS budget and necessary reporting to ensure compliance
• Integrate Inclusive Youth Leadership and Unified Sports® activities into the Special Olympics Ohio mission within Northwest region/school districts: State and Regional sporting events, school/youth divisions and competitions, volunteer opportunities, and other activities statewide
• In collaboration with the Director, Unified Champion Schools, manage all aspects necessary for reporting (athlete engagement, medical records, coaches training, participation data, etc.) to ensure compliance
• Collaborate with staff to develop professional skills related to the work
• Generate informational reports (digital and hard copy) to use in relational, district-level, and community meetings, and in reporting outcomes of competitions for sharing with district-level and community media
• Engage relevant stakeholders (parents, educators, district-level staff) to generate and collect impact stories
• Engage the same (a group of key stakeholders) in program evaluation at the conclusion of events
• Report regularly on the progress of the Whole School Engagement initiatives
• In partnership with the SOOH Development team, lead, cultivate, and drive access to new funding streams to ensure the long-term sustainability of Unified Champion Schools

Competencies

• Drive for Results
• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Effective Communication
• Ethical Conduct
• Internal/External Client Focus
• Youth Development
• Problem-Solving/Analysis
• Innovation
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Business Acumen
• Leadership
• Strategic Thinking

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Development, Community Organizing and Advocacy, Social Justice, Education, Education Leadership, Recreation/Fitness/Sports, or other similar field

Preferred Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• 2+ years of professional or volunteer experience in a role with a sports or school-based organization similar to Special Olympics; or in a closely related field, school, or non-profit organization
• Hold direct ties to and a viable relationship with one or more of the stakeholder groups in schools and communities where Special Olympics desires to have a deeper impact
• The ability to be a connector, organizer, and motivator, and will actively liaise between Special Olympics Ohio and local schools
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office; adaptive computer skills in other relevant database systems
• Strong interpersonal skills, good judgment, and be capable of communicating well, in both written and oral formats, with a diverse range of individuals
• Strong written communications to clearly and effectively articulate the programmatic and strategic objectives
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail

Miscellaneous Information

1. Position is full-time, exempt, and paid bi-weekly.
2. Independent in-state travel required, including overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position
3. Close visual acuity required to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading
4. Required to maintain and provide proof of valid, current state driver’s license and automobile property and casualty insurance at all times.

Other Duties

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Special Olympics Ohio