Employment

Mid City Programs Manager

reDiscover seeks a Programs Manager for a new permanent youth makerspace set to open in fall 2023. This is a full time benefits eligible position, starting on or around June 1, based primarily in Mid-City with some work in nearby communities and at reDiscover’s Venice location. As Programs Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the Mid-City reDiscover Center including supervising part time and seasonal Teaching Artists and volunteers. You will manage the facility, programming, and operations, in collaboration with your fellow Programs Managers. You will work closely with reDiscover’s administrative staff on fundraising, contracting, partnerships, HR, and IT areas. In coordination with the Executive Director, you will set the tone for the Mid City reDiscover Center, building from reDiscover’s 20 years of experience providing hands-on educational programming and creating new modes of engagement in response to local community needs. The Mid City Programs Manager works closely with the Community Programs Manager and School Programs Manager to coordinate reDiscover’s impact in and around Mid City. This position is perfect for an ambitious entrepreneurial artist or educator who wants to support a rising generation of makers to transform discarded materials into art while developing skills that lead to a lifetime of sustainable making. reDiscover is an LA-based non-profit arts education organization that provides hands-on art and STEAM programs using sustainable materials for youth ages 5 to 25. At reDiscover, youth explore hands-on, open-ended prompts as catalysts for creativity, adventure, and self-directed learning. Building in cardboard, wood scraps, recyclables, and curated industrial offcuts, kids think, make, and tinker in a unique atmosphere of trust and responsibility. reDiscover operates a public youth makerspace in Venice and programs in schools that put real tools in kids’ hands to support their creative journeys. The new Mid City reDiscover Center is a 2,500 sf retail facility that will serve 5,000 youth per year from Koreatown, Mid City, West Adams, Pico-Union, and surrounding communities with makerspace access, classes, camps, field trips, and vocational training. The Program Manager will help to define the program, and grow its impact and operations beyond reDiscover’s initial $700,000 investment in the 2023-2024 startup period. 40 hours/week 10 federal holidays plus 10 days/year PTO, rising to 15 days/year after 2 years $55,000/year Responsibilities summary:
  • Serve the local community’s need for maker education
  • Manage the makerspace and staff
  • Coordinate daily programs, starting from reDiscover’s existing program formats then refining and expanding under your direction
  • Overall community outreach strategy for reDiscover in the Mid City area
Responsibilities details:  Program Scheduling, Oversight, and Delivery (50%)
  • Coordinate a schedule of free community programs, fee-based youth programs, and private programs produced in collaboration with community partners that maximizes use of the youth makerspace while effectively balancing charitable, fee, and contract income with program expenses, to include programs such as camps, classes, field trips, open drop-in hours, vocational training, exhibits, community events, and private workshops
  • Work with Operations Team to ensure the necessary resources are deployed for successful delivery of Mid City programs, including staff scheduling, materials and equipment, rentals.
  • Teach directly in selected programs
  • Implement reDiscover protocols and pedagogy in all programs
  • Document successes and failures of individual programs and overall operations of the Mid-City reDiscover Center and prepare reports on impact, operations, and recommendations for future programming, for internal and external distribution
  • Improve existing programs and develop new programs in response to community needs, participant feedback, and evolving industry best practices
  • Support programs in other areas of reDiscover as needed
Site and Staffing Oversight (25%)
  • Prepare the facility for public operations
  • Maintain clean, safe, and effective building operations, including the tools, equipment, and materials of the youth makerspace
  • Interface with the property owner, building systems service providers, and neighborhood organizations
  • Train, supervise, and support staff, in collaboration with reDiscover Operations Team, including Teaching Artists, Assistant Facilitators, and interns
  • Equitably recruit and manage contributing artists and artists-in-residence
  • Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers
  • Originate and/or manage Special Projects, as needed
Finance, Fundraising, and Organizational Management (15%)
  • With Operations Director, monitor expected income and expenses of Mid City-based programs and operations
  • Secure donations, grants, and in-kind donations, in collaboration with reDiscover Development Team
  • Contribute to and implement strategic plans to support the long term growth of the Mid  City reDiscover Center’s impact and reDiscover’s overall impact
  • Work with reDiscover staff to share best practices, provide mutual aid, and create a consistent high quality program across the organization
Community Outreach (10%)
  • Build knowledge of, interest in, and engagement with reDiscover among diverse communities across Central Los Angeles.
  • Support the Community Programs Manager and School Programs Manager on marketing and recruitment programs to connect reDiscover with new partner organizations in Central Los Angeles, including schools, community groups, government agencies, and foundations.
  • Coordinate with reDiscover’s partner organizations in Central Los Angeles to maximize reDiscover’s educational impact through one-off and ongoing programs.
The successful candidate will have the following skills and qualifications:
  • Experience producing large scale art education programs, coordinating a teams of artists, educators, and volunteers, and/or managing complex projects
  • Experience originating and building successful educational programs, business units, or social entrepreneurial projects
  • Management experience in collaborative nonprofit environments
  • Familiarity with visual arts education, open-ended play, child-centered learning, constructionism, tinkering, or similar educational concepts
  • Experience working in and managing a makerspace
  • Familiarity with environmental/sustainability education
  • Highly knowledgeable of the cultural and educational ecosystems of Central LA; existing relationships with local cultural and educational organizations a plus
  • GSuite, Square, Mailchimp, and similar services; video production for social media a plus
  • Excellent customer service skills, including by phone, email, messaging, and in person
  • Ability to work in public schools, including passing a fingerprint background check
  • Highly independent
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs 
  • Spanish language skills strongly preferred
Reports to: Executive Director Direct Reports: Hourly and seasonal Teaching Artists, Assistant Facilitators, Interns, Volunteers The work schedule includes coordination and some direct facilitation of a seven days a week schedule of educational programs. Expect regular weekend and/or evening work time.  This position is eligible for reDiscover’s full benefits package including: paid sick leave, vacation PTO, health insurance, and retirement plan with matching contributions. If you think you could excel in this position but do not meet all of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. reDiscover is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and dedicated to our staff reflecting the communities we serve. reDiscover works to meet our commitment to diversity and to build an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage members of historically underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. To apply, please email hr@rediscovercenter.org by May 15, 2023, with your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for this position.