Thursday, September 2, 2010

Murals Program Director, The Marilyn G. Rabb (MGR) Foundation - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 9/2/10

Position:  Murals Program Director
Status:  Full-Time
Posting Date:  September 1st, 2010
Closing Date:  September 15th, 2010
Hours:  40 hours/week with some nights and weekends
Salary:  $34,000 - $40,000 Salary determined based on experience.  

The Marilyn G. Rabb (MGR) Foundation
 The Marilyn G. Rabb Foundation (MGR Foundation) is a 501(c)3 public foundation created in 2001 to address some of the unique and deep-rooted problems that  communities face by offering creative and innovative solutions on a community level. Committed to overcoming social and economic barriers and creating innovative programs that positively impact communities, the MGR Foundation is dedicated to expanding and refining educational and health programs, setting new standards for success and wellbeing. We provide direct service programs and initiatives that improve communities and better the lives of their inhabitants. The MGR Foundation, based jointly in Pittsburgh and Chicago, works to better local communities in tangible and exponential ways. It is our goal to continue to push boundaries, changing conceptions of giving by assisting others and giving without expecting anything in return; remaining committed to action and change, and always enriching life and encouraging the future.

Murals: Violence Prevention through the Arts – Overview
 Murals encourages students and communities to confront one of the darkest problems facing our society: the overwhelming cycle of violence in our homes, schools, and communities. Through the artistic process of drama, visual arts, music, movement, and media, participants explore their social and educational choices, painting a “mural” of healthy living for their lives.  Inspired to change themselves and their communities, students become activists for peace and unity.    
Students explore the issue of violence during our after-school and in-school programs, which include unique modules, rooted in multiple arts areas. Local teaching artists use their craft as a tool to tackle these social issues, creating a safe community for students to share and learn. Through visual arts, students explore both the actual and emotional experiences of violence, while working to creatively envision alternatives. Students investigate the concepts of cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy using the art and theories of drama. Through movement, students focus on emotional expression, cultural sensitivity, and personal safety. Music is used to understand the messages being conveyed through media, while allowing them to create their own voices and express their personal thoughts regarding violence.  Using the arts to address issues of violence, students discover and explore new positive ways to find and express their voice.

Murals Program Director - Job Description
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Murals Program Director is responsible for the supervision of Murals, including program implementation and infrastructure; personnel management; public relations and; administrative tasks. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Program Implementation and Infrastructure

• Plan, coordinate, and implement Murals.
• Ensure that the MGR Foundation Core Values are infused in all programming. 
• Develop and update curriculum.
• Establish policies and procedures.
• Purchase, maintain, and inventory all program equipment. 
• Develop evaluation materials for Murals and ensure all activities implement assessments properly. 
• Evaluate programs and adjust program design and implementation accordingly. 
• Attend necessary workshops, events, and training seminars. 
• Communicate policy, information, and expectations with program staff.
• Communicate program status with Executive Director on a regular basis. 
• Develop yearly program planning calendars.
• Oversee mentor recruitment strategies, mentor trainings, and mentor activities. 
• With Executive Director, create and carry out yearly goals for the program. 
• Assemble and utilize program Advisory Board to promote program goals. 
• Identify and develop community partnerships for program enhancement. 
• Develop implementation policies that will assist in program replication. 

2.   Personnel

• Recruit, hire, and provide training and supervision of staff, independent contractors, interns and volunteers. 
• Coordinate appropriate trainings and collaboration opportunities for independent contractors and staff. 
• Provide verbal and written evaluation of program staff, independent contractors, and interns. 
• Maintain open communication lines among partners, independent contractors, interns, volunteers, and program participants. 
• Maintain personnel and invoicing paperwork for staff, independent contractors, and interns.

3.   Public relations

• Identify and act on opportunities for program promotion. 
• Provide public presentations as needed. 
• Identify funding opportunities that arise and communicate the opportunity to the Executive Director. 
• Oversee the publication of communication materials such as e-newsletters, social networking sites, and the annual report.                   
• Attend and/or present at relevant fairs and public events relevant the mission of the organization. 
• Represent the MGR Foundation in cooperative industry opportunities, networks, committees, and leadership teams.
• Work with corporations and community groups to encourage in-kind donations.

4.   Administration

• Assist in office supervision.
• Ensure that all incoming invoices are paid on-time.   
• Interface with, and cultivate relationships with, professional and community partners, funders, elected officials, and community leaders. 
• Assist with program budget development.
• Maintain program expenditures within budgeted parameters.
• Produce all check requests for Murals programming. 
• Produce proper paperwork for reimbursements. 
• Collaborate and support other MGR staff as needed.
• Provide supporting documents needed for grants to support Murals. 
• Assume all other duties as directed by the Executive Director. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with emphasis in social work, education, and/or arts education.
• Strong background in the arts focusing on visual arts, drama, music, dance, and/or media.  Experience in multiple art forms a plus. 
• Three or more years experience in youth development, working within community organizations and/or schools preferred.
• Two or more years experience supervising staff. 
• Extremely strong organizational, writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Applicants have the ability to think innovatively and collaborate with other artists.
• Experience working in African American and lower income urban communities preferred.

TO APPLY:  Email resume and cover letter to: phil@mgrf.org

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

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