ABOUT JUMPSTART
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Join us to work toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Learn more at www.jstart.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The team leader collaborates with a team of Corps members to provide educational activities to young children and families. Responsibilities include planning and implementing effective Jumpstart sessions using the Jumpstart curriculum, facilitating team meetings, and coaching Corps members to use developmentally appropriate practices with young children. The team leader plays a variety of roles, including coach, trainer and observer and is essential to making Jumpstart a high quality program. The
Jumpstart team leader position is open to Jumpstart Corps members and alumni who have completed at least one year of service. In some cases, it is also open to undergraduate or graduate students who have early childhood education backgrounds and can serve in a team leader role.
TEAM LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
School Success
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Use Jumpstart programmatic guidelines to lead planning and implementation of Jumpstart sessions two times per week, this includes the facilitation of elements of the session
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Build strong relationships with preschool staff
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Deliver high quality service to children
Family Involvement
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Model appropriate interactions with children’s families
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Ensure that all Corps members communicate regularly with families and develop alternative means of communication (notes, newsletters, etc.) to support Corps members’ connection with families
Future Teachers
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Support school year start-up
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Deliver various Corps member trainings, and facilitate ongoing reflection
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Participate in all Jumpstart Corps member training and additional team leader training
Last updated 03.18.2013 Apply online at https://application.jstart.org/ Page 1

Leadership
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Participate in weekly team leader meetings with site staff to gain an understanding of high quality session implementation and support problem solving efforts with other team leaders
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Facilitate bi-weekly team planning meetings to allow for adequate planning and preparation for each session implementation, team building, group development and accountability
Community Engagement
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Lead team during service days and other service events
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Represent Jumpstart at partner early childhood center and other community meetings
TIME COMMITMENT
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Serve 12-16 hours per week during the school year including: o Jumpstart sessions with team, 4 hours per week (two times a week for two hours each) o Team planning meetings, which include planning, reflection, and/or training, 2-4 hours per week o Weekly meetings with other team leaders and site staff, 1.5-2 hours per week o Preparing for Jumpstart sessions, 2-4 hours per week
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Participate in intensive trainings, including September Leadership Institute (over a weekend)
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Attend periodic service days, often held on weekends
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Team-building experience
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Ability to lead a team of diverse Corps members to effectively plan and implement Jumpstart sessions in accordance with Jumpstart programmatic guidance
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Strong communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings and trainings
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Experience in a leadership role, preferably with college students/peers
Management
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Ability to organize multiple tasks
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Attention to detail
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Ability to manage and prioritize time and responsibilities
Early childhood knowledge and practice
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Experience working in an early childhood setting and/or knowledge of early childhood development
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Ability to coach Corps members and model working effectively with children and families
Commitment to service
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Community service experience
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Ability to fulfill a yearlong community service commitment
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Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
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Professionalism
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Dedication to Jumpstart’s mission and program areas
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Willingness to represent Jumpstart to outside groups
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Willingness to seek and use available resources to support problem solving efforts
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Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
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Maturity and good judgment in relating to Jumpstart peers, partners, and families
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Availability, dependability, and willingness to be flexible
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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Potential to earn Work-Study award during term of service
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AmeriCorps members will be eligible to receive an education award upon completion of their service term based on the commitment level
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Extensive training in the field of early childhood education
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Unique opportunity to join a national network of individuals serving young children
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Invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children
Jumpstart is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities. Please visit our website at www.jstart.org.
Last updated 03.18.2013 Apply online at https://application.jstart.org/ Page 3