Youth Technology and Career Skills Program Manager (Creation Spaces Manager)



Youth Technology and Career Skills Program Manager (Creation Spaces Manager)

Salary

$91,842.14 - $108,477.89 Annually

Location

P7699

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

REQ00620

Division

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Department

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Opening Date

11/19/2021

Closing Date

12/17/2021 4:30 PM Central

Summary

Established in 1883, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) oversees a renowned urban park system spanning 6,809 acres of parkland and water. Featured among its 180 park properties are 55 miles of parkways, 102 miles of Grand Rounds biking and walking paths, 22 lakes, 12 formal gardens, 7 golf courses and 49 recreation centers. The MPRB is proud to provide services, programs and activities that meet the park and recreation needs of diverse communities and ensure race equity, gender inclusion and universal access.  Altogether, MPRB properties receive about 23 million visitors annually, and employs approximately 570 full-time and 1,400 part-time and seasonal employees.
 
Park it here for an exciting career by joining the #1 urban park system in the United States as recognized by the Trust for Public Land in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
 
SUMMARY: 
The MPRB is seeking an innovative Youth Technology and Career Skills Program Manager (Creation Spaces Manager) to direct and manage MPRB Creation Spaces to utilize technology in delivering career skills programs to youth and young adults citywide.  This person will create innovative youth and young adult technology programs that allow young people in a recreation setting to experience hands-on instruction using technology mediums for self-expression and collaborating with other young people to create, learn and gain exposure to careers in the arts, technology, music, science, and innovation. This person is expected to perform high level leadership, management, and administrative work for the delivery of Creation Spaces curriculum, technology, innovation and career skills programs and services through collaborative community partnerships, and will exhibit an appreciation and respect for a diverse environment, inclusive of youth and young adults from many social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.



Learn more about MPRB Creation Spaces!

What You'll Do

  • Responsible for the overall management and coordination of youth and young adult programs related to creativity/technology in multiple Creation Spaces located in recreation centers across the city.
  • Lead and direct the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for Creation Spaces and write curriculum with the assistance of industry professionals to ensure a technology centric space oriented to youth and young adult learners that promotes innovation and career skills to meet the current and future needs and demographics of Minneapolis and its neighborhoods.
  • Monitor the establishment of Creation Spaces and oversee all aspects of programming, operations, contracts and staffing.
  • Establish policies and procedures related to Creation Spaces and set expectations for participant engagement and achievement as well as set standards for behavior.
  • Promote an environment where Creation Spaces staff mentor and guide young people through innovative programing and activities that allow for technology advancement, learning and creativity at their own pace.
  • Prepare curricula and associated materials to emphasize the development of career skills in youth learners including, but not limited to, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving, goal setting, teamwork and learning valuable technical skills.
  • Actively research, pursue and manage innovative funding, partnerships, and grants to support Creation Spaces.
  • Manage any professional contract and community/business partnerships and comply with grant and donation requirements to ensure they support the Park Board’s goals and strategic directions.
  • Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

What To Bring

Need to Have

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Parks and Recreation, Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Business, Education, Technology-related degree, or related field.
  • Increasingly responsible experience in teaching, facilitating and/or leading a program focused on technology use by youth and/or young adults for purposes of creation, innovation, collaboration, learning and developing career skills: at least five (5) years.
  • Increasingly responsible experience in leadership and oversight of technology, innovation and creativity focused spaces: at least three (3) years
  • Experience supervising employees: at least five (5) years
  • Valid driver’s license
 
Nice to Have
  • Experience supervising unionized employees: at least three (3) years (preferred)
  • Experience supervising employees at multiple locations:  at least three (3) years (preferred)
  • An equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be considered.
 
Skills Crucial to Success in This Role
  • Modern principles and best practices of instruction and guidance on youth technology programs to promote innovation, creativity and career skills (arts, music, science, technology and more).
  • Current trends in information technology and hardware.
  • Curriculum writing, adaptation, and age appropriate learning materials. 
  • Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base. 
  • Contemporary marketing principles and practices for diverse customer base. 
  • Contemporary principles and practices of strategic planning and implementation.
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills in working with youth and young adult learners as well as their parents or guardians.
  • Imaginatively and effectively identify and evaluate plan alternatives in relation to trends, costs, social pressures and needs.
  • Think outside the norm to keep young people engaged and inspired to advance in a program.
  • Develop, implement and deliver on various programs that focus on creation, life skills, math, science, and technology using non-traditional and creative teaching techniques.
  • Develop and deliver effective presentations to internal and external stakeholders, outside agencies and elected officials.
  • Thoroughly evaluate program alternatives and make recommendations for improvements in city-wide MPRB Creations Spaces and associated programming for youth and young adult centered technology and life skills programs.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Union Status: Non-represented

Additional Information

Job Information Session:  A 30-minute Job Information Session will be held via conference call at 1:00pm CST on November 29, 2021.  This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position and to gain a better understanding of the civil service application process.  Interested parties are encouraged to join us via phone conference at 612-230-6595.
 
View a full list of qualifications and job description
Learn more about Veteran’s Preference

Selection Process:
To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.  Late applications will be rejected.
What steps the selection process involves:

  • We review your minimum qualifications.
  • We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
  • We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
  • We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above).  Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
  • We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
  • References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered. 
  • We conduct a background check.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf
Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.
The MPRB is a tobacco-free workplace and park system.
The MPRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BENEFITS SUMMARY
For full-time benefited positions, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health care, dental, life and disability insurance as well as retirement and survivor benefits. Benefits are administered by the City of Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.


Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page

INSURANCE
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The MPRB offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

Enhanced mental health services
MPRB employees and their family members covered by MPRB’s medical plan will each have access to up to 20 visits for mental health services covered at 100%. The enhanced mental health benefits will include the first 10 office visits, including evaluations and diagnostic and treatment services, and 10 intensive outpatient program visits per year per person with an in-network or out-of-network provider at no charge. After the 20 visits, regular plan benefits and coverage will apply. 
Employees Assistance Program
All MPRB employees – whether covered or not by the MPRB’s employee medical plan – have access to the employee assistance program, which provides confidential services to help employees and their family members deal with a wide array of issues. Employees can speak virtually or in-person with an EAP representative.
Dental insurance
The MPRB offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance

The MPRB offers long-term disability insurance, which helps to replace income for employees who are unable to work as a result of illness or injury, and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

BENEFITS
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.
Paid Parental Leave
MPRB 
employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
MPRB employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

  • Pension: The MPRB participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the MPRB both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
  • Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Transportation
Eligible employees may choose to participate in the Metropass transportation program. The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.


LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tuition Reimbursement
The Tuition Reimbursement Program allows employees who take courses for credit and approved in advance which have a direct relationship to their job or which provide advancement opportunities within the MPRB, to request tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of coursework and proof of payment. This program is only available for reimbursement of tuition for course credit at accredited educational institutions. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in reimbursement each calendar year.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The MPRB is a qualifying employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.  The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

OTHER PERKS
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, technology discounts, employee discounts, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page.

01
1.) Following are a series of supplemental questions to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications and will be used to determine your civil service score and placement on the eligible list. Therefore, all applicants are encouraged to be complete and thorough in their answers. The employment history and education detailed in your general online application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next step of the selection process. A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume," "see application," or a separate attachment with responses to supplemental questions will not be considered.
  • I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information and instructions.
02
Please indicate your highest level of educational degree received:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Masters or Post-Graduate Degree
  • I do not have a degree
03
If you indicated in question #2 that you have a degree, please list your major/area of study:
04
Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
05
How many years of experience do you have in teaching, facilitating, and/or leading a recreation program focused on technology use by youth and/or young adults for purposes of creation, innovation, collaboration, learning, and developing life skills?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 years but less than 5 years
  • 5 years but less than 7 years
  • 7 years but less than 9 years
  • 9 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
06
If you have experience listed in question #5, please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
07
How many years of experience do you have in leadership and oversight of technology, innovation and creativity focused spaces?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 years but less than 5 years
  • 5 years but less than 7 years
  • 7 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
08
If you have experience listed in question #7, please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
09
How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 years but less than 5 years
  • 5 years but less than 7 years
  • 7 years but less than 9 years
  • 9 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
10
If you have experience listed in question #9, please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
11
How many years of experience supervising union employees do you have?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year but less than 3 years
  • 3 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
12
How many years of experience do you have supervising employees at multiple locations?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year but less than 3 years
  • 3 or more years
  • I do not have this experience
13
If you have experience listed in question #12, please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
14
Describe your experience preparing curriculum to emphasize life skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, goal setting, teamwork, and technical skills. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
15
Describe your experience managing funding, grants, and community/business partnerships. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
16
Describe your experience working and collaborating with people across multiple departments to meet business needs. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
17
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) serves a variety of populations and demographics. Tell us about your experience working with diverse populations. Please indicate the organization(s) where you gained the experience, title, and a description of your role/responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.

Required Question

Agency
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Address
2117 West River Rd

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411
Phone
(612) 434-5892