Quality Assurance Specialist - After School Program Hawthorne

Job Title: Quality Assurance Specialist

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and serving the youth?

Who We Are:

In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth is innately good, deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path. 

What We Do:

Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer Lifecraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 1,500 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 160 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach. 

Ideal Candidate:

This role is ideal for you if you share our passion for expanded learning and are enthusiastic about making a positive impact on children in the Los Angeles community through working with youth development staff. You are not just an innovative thinker; you are someone with a keen eye for detail, acting as the eyes and ears of our programs. Your ability to observe, analyze, report back with clarity and accuracy, and effectively communicate as a reliable messenger is crucial. You excel in anticipating the diverse needs of various educational environments, ensuring that our programs are always a step ahead in meeting these requirements. You are energized by a fast-paced environment, and you are adept at problem-solving, proactive in addressing challenges, and can reliably bridge the gap between our programs and leadership with strategic foresight and practical execution.

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers:

• Paid Vacation

• Sick time

• Health Benefits

• 403(b) retirement

• Pet insurance

• Lifecraft

• Upward mobility

• Career development

• The opportunity to create a lasting positive impact on youth within your community.

Role Overview:

The Quality Assurance Specialist, reporting to the Associate Director of Programs and Regional Program Manager, plays a crucial role in the strategic execution and enhancement of Woodcraft Rangers' educational programs. This individual is pivotal in training on-site staff, ensuring the consistent and effective implementation of programs, and maintaining high standards of quality and compliance. Key responsibilities include observing, assessing, and reporting on program successes and challenges, working closely with staff to promote professional development and program improvement. This role requires a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to anticipate and address the needs of various educational environments. The Quality Assurance Specialist is instrumental in elevating the overall quality of programs, ensuring they align with the organization's goals and comply with relevant standards.

Responsibilities:

• Program Strategy Execution: Actively involved in executing the strategic plan for educational programs. This includes close collaboration with on-site staff to ensure programs support both physical and emotional safety, promoting an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment for all participants, staff, and families.

• Ensuring Consistency and Compliance: Ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality programs across various sites. Monitors for compliance with educational standards and organizational goals.

• Quality Enhancement: Committed to enhancing the overall quality of educational programs. Involves observing and measuring program execution, assessing effectiveness, and making recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Observation and Reporting: Regularly observes program delivery, gathers data, and reports on successes and challenges. Requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to provide constructive feedback and solutions.

• Collaborative Efforts: Works collaboratively with the program team and other stakeholders to maintain and elevate the standard of educational offerings.

• Staff Training and Support: Provides essential training and support to on-site staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver programs effectively. Guides staff in understanding and implementing program methodologies and best practices.

• Liaison with School Administration: Communicates and collaborates with school administrators to align program delivery with school objectives and standards.

• Recommendations and Collaborative Learning: Provides recommendations based on observations and collaborates with the programs team on learnings.

• Support in Hiring and Training On-site Staff: Assists in the hiring process and provides training to on-site staff, ensuring they are prepared to implement educational programs effectively.

Qualifications:

• 1 year of experience managing or supervising a high-performing team.

• 6 months experience supervising or leading a team and/or group of children in a school or recreational setting or 6 units in child development.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

• While not required, bilingual abilities in English and Spanish are considered beneficial.

• Familiarity with relevant policies.

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.

• Demonstrated experience in working with ethnically and culturally diverse communities, along with a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of high-need areas in Los Angeles, including knowledge of the existing educational systems, youth development principles, and related programs.

• Valid LIVE Scan, TB Clearance, and CPR Certification (provided by Woodcraft Rangers).

• Ability to use smart phone for work related business (Woodcraft Rangers provides Wi-Fi/cell stipend)

Skills:

• Keen observation and analytical skills with heightened attention to detail.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• Robust multitasking and project management skills.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Adaptability and flexibility.

• Strong self-motivation and self-learning abilities.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.

• Strong multitasking skills with a focus on managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Consistent display of poise and professionalism in all situations.

Physical Demands:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Frequent standing is required during working hours.

• The ability to travel across the Greater Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times per month.

• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.

• Effective communication skills are required, necessitating the ability to speak clearly and hear well.

• Occasional lifting and/or moving of objects weighing up to 40 pounds may be required.

Work Environment and Schedule:

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:

• Regular working hours are from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings required for events, training, or conferences.

• Optional weekly work-from-home opportunities.

• Travel is necessary to various regions where Woodcraft Rangers programs are implemented, including San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, and Downtown areas, to support or deliver in-person training.

• Regular exposure to a computer monitor during work.

• The typical noise level of a standard work environment.

• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance.

Status: Full time

Salary Range: $28.00/hr. - $34.65/hr.

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.