The DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative (DCTMI) seeks an energetic, well-organized, self-motivated, dynamic “practical idealist” who can inspire others by their actions and words to get involved in in our work and who can be a hands-on leader and manager in implementing our goals.
DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative
DCTMI is a grassroots campaign to get a tutor or mentor for the 2 out of 3 DC students reading below grade level or with other academic or non-academic needs -- approximately 60,000 students. We recruit new volunteers at farmers markets and public events and through social media, employers, religious congregations, and civic organizations. The volunteers are matched with our 50 partner tutoring and mentoring organizations and schools based on when and where they are available, what age group they want to work with, any special skills and preferences, and where they are most needed.
Equally important, our broader goal is to create a civic culture where community members feel a sense of responsibility for and fellowship with one another, regardless of class, race, neighborhood, or ideology and actively work together to tackle the major challenges faced by our communities and the world.
NOTE: See background documents referenced under “Document Links” below for a more thorough discussion of our approach and theory of change.
Qualifications
You are an experienced leader with a passion for making a better world who enjoys working as part of an entrepreneurial mission-driven team. You “think globally, act locally, and practice daily,” to expand on a famous saying. You roll up your sleeves and lead by example, but also keep your focus on our big long-term goals.
COMMITMENT
- You care about our civic life and educational inequality and opportunity.
- You have a strong commitment to and understanding of our vision and work.
- You have a willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.
COMPETENCE
- You are well-organized, a fast learner, and competent with technology.
- You have strong verbal and written communication skills.
- You think strategically, creatively, and understand the systems perspective.
- You are proficient with basic computer software, database management systems, and basic digital marketing.
INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER
- You are adaptable, self-disciplined, focused, and a self-starter with a (realistic) “can-do” attitude.
- You are accustomed to “leaning into” challenges. You can be playful, gentle, and kind at the same time that you are determined, courageous, hopeful, and resilient in the face of challenges and the inevitable failures that we face when striving to achieve big goals!
- You act with integrity, openness, and a sense of accountability: You are open and honest about weaknesses as well as strengths; doubts as well as beliefs. These are essential if we are to learn from one another.
- You learn from others – books as well as people – and are a capable “thought partner.”
- The ideal candidate will be able to bicycle to and from meetings and activities, which we believe is efficient, healthy (physically, mentally, and spiritually), and sets a good example for the active, focused, and open orientation to life that is needed to do the hard long-term work that we need.
EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT
- You are self-aware and working to become a better human being.
- You are great at building and strengthening relationships, feeling and expressing empathy and gratitude, and building trust.
- You can create a “community of shared purpose,” a team where people have fun, can be playful, and can enjoy “the dance of conversation” together while at the same time maintaining awareness of our long-term goals and challenges.
- You are able to connect with diverse partners and perspectives.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Build and manage a community of dedicated volunteers.
- Lead canvassing at farmers markets and other public events and spaces and be a role model for training and leading community volunteers and interns to do the same.
- Manage special events, such as volunteer fairs.
- Help to oversee and produce our communications, social media, marketing and outreach; graphic design, videos and photography; volunteer recruitment.
- Represent DCTMI at meetings, as needed, and be able to effectively communicate our vision and work with different types of audiences, including our partner tutoring and mentoring organizations, policy-makers, journalists, the general public, and activists on issues such as education, democracy-building, climate change, politics, and more.
- Be a creative, positive contributor to the decision-making team.
- Set a positive example of civic leadership.
Work Life
We take a holistic approach to leadership development that incorporates service, study, and time for reflection and outdoor physical activity:
- 15% of your time in the workday can be used for reflection (including meditation or prayer) and outdoor physical activity (walking, biking and running). We believe these are key if we are to be effective and authentic servant leaders who can act and communicate with kindness, hope, joy, and a sense of long-term purpose.
- Your schedule and work location can be flexible – so long as work gets done and there is adequate opportunity for connecting with other members of the team.
HOW TO APPLY: Please submit your application on this website by Nov. 30. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Feel free to email if you have any questions.
SALARY: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Range: $42,000-80,000. Please provide requirements.
HIRING PROCESS: We are a small organization and this is a critical position that requires a range of talents. We would prefer to offer a “get acquainted” consulting or part-time role of 10-20 hours per week over a 1-2 month period so that you have an opportunity to get to know us and vice versa before you leave your current employer and commit to a full-time position.
Document Links