Social Emotional Learning Manager

Job Description

One Common Unity (OCU) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that breaks cycles of violence and builds compassionate, healthy communities through the transformative power of music, arts, and peace education.

The Out of School Time and Enrichment (OST) Program:

Fly By Light is OCU’s flagship intervention that brings performing arts, poetry, song, dance, and visual art to youth. The goal of Fly By Light is to encourage students to find their inner voices, identify the light they bring to the world, and share their talents with their peers to build safer, more peaceful communities.

OCU’s OST and Enrichment department offers innovative youth programs that emphasize leadership, compassionate communication, effective conflict resolution, and self-love as pathways to personal growth, health and wellness. Youth engage in activities that strengthen skills that equip them with the abilities to bring their “light” to their own communities, building peaceable environments that promote overall wellness. Artistic expression across different mediums (ex: music, visual arts, dance, and theater) are at the core of instruction.

The main objectives of the OST program are to help youth:

Increase their feelings of self-confidence, value, worth, and empowerment

Build an ability and desire to handle conflicts peacefully

Gain an understanding of music and art as tools for self-expression and cultural change

Hone their ability to critically engage with their environment and people of different racial, ethnic, socio-economic and cultural perspectives

Develop a personal set of life goals

Engage in social justice projects in their communities

Build an appreciation and love for nature

Establish positive relationships with peers, artists, educators, counselors and community members

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The SEL Manager provides task supervision and coaching to Program Facilitators, implements the Fly by Light youth intervention, supports OCU Peace Room initiatives, and facilitates an evidence-based substance use prevention curriculum in District of Columbia middle & high schools. This position is year round with varying hours depending on time of year, site, and specific projects (ex: summer camps, retreats, during school year, during summer, etc.). In addition to in and out of school programming, the SEL Manager will dedicate time in the OCU office to engage in facilitator meetings, training, and to complete required administrative duties.

The SEL Manager will use the Fly By Light curriculum as a guide in helping students learn about the arts and integrate lessons on emotional literacy and social justice. Artist-educators will have input over individual workshops, but they must adhere to the program requirements as determined by the Director of OST & Enrichment and Senior Director of Programs. The OST and Enrichment youth program is active in District of Columbia public schools.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Providing outreach to school administrators to coordinate and plan program logistics;

Recruiting and interviewing students for the program at various sites and working alongside community-based staff to plan partnerships.

Creating and implementing innovative workshops for youth, faculty, and parents on social-emotional skills, mindfulness, conflict resolution skills, nonviolent communication, creative expression, therapeutic arts, restorative justice, and other related topics;

Providing task supervision to Program Facilitators;

Community organizing;

Facilitating engaging, arts-based workshops with youth.

Facilitating restorative justice interventions with youth, community members, and/or staff in OCU’s Intention Room, as well as other settings as needed;

Organizing social justice advocacy campaigns, community showcases, field trips, guest speakers and pop-up art events with participants;

Providing as-needed support for students and community-based staff outside of the workshops;

Communicating with students’ families about program-based events;

Using sound judgment and following risk management protocol as outlined by the program to ensure program safety;

Attending required staff meetings at the OCU main office and/or virtually.

Relaying information from the OCU main office to youth and their families.

Facilitating professional development workshops for community-based staff in SEL related topics.

Implementing evidence-based interventions to groups.

Supporting the planning and implementation of an Intention/Peace Room and integration of arts-based healing into the space.

Developing and implementing Professional Development Training.

Providing ongoing feedback on One Common Unity's programmatic interventions and curriculums to strengthen OCU.

Develop workshops and curriculum as needed.

Setting program site goals and monitor progress on an ongoing basis.

Supporting data, reporting, and compliance requirements for the department.

Managing all participant records, registration forms, surveys and other administrative needs using the database, while maintaining all HIPAA requirements.

REPORTING:

This position reports directly to the Director of Out of School Time and Enrichment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

5+ years of experience in facilitating one or more forms of artistic expression, peace education, environmental education, restorative justice, yoga, or mindfulness practices.

2+ years experience with teaching youth and leading youth programming in an urban setting;

Commitment to social justice, environmentalism, and nonviolence.

Positive, team oriented attitude, as well as a passion for youth and community development;

Self-motivated, organized, willing to help with any project;

Have a strong desire to make a difference, a passion for OCU’s mission, and a positive attitude;

Exceptional interpersonal skills.

A deep understanding of, and experience with, cultural humility-based, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches to youth work;

Engages in anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks regarding organizational culture (peer relationships, supervisory relationships, etc.).

The ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines with attention to detail.

Experience connecting with youth who have been impacted by gun violence, preferred.

CPR and First Aid (WFA); Mandated Reporter training, DCPS clearance, FBI background check, and NSO registry clearance required before first day of work;

OCU follows DC Government and DC Public School guidelines on vaccination and requires healthcare workers to provide proof of vaccination or a qualified exemption. More information on vaccine mandates can be found here:

Experience in teaching social-emotional skills, restorative justice, mindfulness, conflict resolution skills, nonviolent communication, or other related topics.

COMPENSATION:

OCU offers a competitive benefits package with health and dental coverage for employees (and buy-in option for family members); retirement benefits after first year; 14 paid holidays; continuing education stipend; and a PTO package.

OCU recently introduced a paid "Invest in Yourself Day" the last Friday of every month to do "what renews and inspires you."

This position is contingent on grant funding. Currently confirmed funding allows for contracts starting immediately and continuing through September 30, 2025.

Physical Requirement of the Job:

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-25 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with other workers, vendors, and clients. The position works in a school or office environment with artificial light and air.

TO APPLY:

Submit a CV or resume, 3 references, and thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in this position via Job Score. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

One Common Unity is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, differently abled, LGBTQIA, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.