Friendship Public Charter School operates a thriving network of college preparatory public charter schools. Headquartered in Washington, DC. Friendship serves over 4,800 students in preschool to grade 12 and guides a growing network of alumni to college completion annually.  Our mission is to prepare students to become ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens by providing a world-class education that motivates students to reach high academic standards, to enjoy learning, to achieve success, and to contribute actively to their communities. For 25 years, with the support and guidance of our exceptional faculty, our students have risen to the challenge with high graduation rates, college acceptances and unparalleled success academically and socially.

The job of the Program Manger aims to ensure that the Friendship Cares program (across all campuses) and other afterschool clubs meet its programmatic goals and customer expectations.  The Program Manager coordinates and facilitates the necessary activities required to meet this aim.The Program Manager liaises with the Extended Day Coordinators and Afterschool Enrichment Coordinators throughout the network to ensure that programming is functioning properly and exceeding expectations.  Where appropriate, the Program Manager advises Director on proposed changes, including providing the implementation plan that provides training, tools, and techniques to enable others to effectively execute changes.

Typical work activities

Maintaining quality-programming demands constant monitoring in order to meet customer expectations.  Acknowledging this fact, the Program Manager must be able to employ a variety of measures to place quality at the heart of all extended learning programs.  These include, but not limited to, implementing quality systems or pursuing accreditation designations by nationally recognized organizations (i.e., the National Association for the Education of Young Children). 

The work of the Program Manager includes all of the following activities:

• Promoting quality achievement and performance improvement throughout the Friendship Cares program;
• Setting QA compliance objectives and ensuring that targets are achieved;
• Ensuring compliance with local and national out-of-school-time standards and legislation;
• Agreeing on standards and establishing clearly defined quality methods for staff to apply;
• Defining quality procedures in conjunction with frontline staff;
• Setting up and maintaining quality controls and documentation;
• Identifying relevant quality-related professional development needs;
• Collating and analyzing performance data and charts against defined parameters;
• Persuading reluctant staff to change their way of working to incorporate quality methods;
• Establishing standards of service for customers or clients;
• Monitoring performance through gathering relevant data and producing statistical reports.
• Create and maintain high levels of parent and school satisfaction throughout all sites;
• Coordinate the opening of new sites.

Specific responsibilities, goals and tasks:

• Oversee operations and programming of the Friendship Cares program, including managing the Coordinators.
• Conduct site observations (focused on operational & programmatic standards) and implement a (informal and formal) feedback process;
• Use an observation tool to evaluate Friendship Cares areas of strength and areas which could use improvement (i.e., YPQI);
• Provide technical assistance to Friendship Cares Coordinators and program staff on program improvement;
• Lead the effort to achieve and maintain NAEYC accreditation;
• Ensure all programmatic policies and procedures are administered consistently (i.e. staff sign-in, daily attendance, incident reports, etc.);
• Ensure site’s environments are in compliance with local licensing agencies (DHS, DOH) laws and regulations (i.e. staff/child ratio, classroom size, nutrition, etc.);
• Develop solid, consistent and productive relationships with local and national industry experts, research and technical support organizations, and partner organizations; including membership organizations.
• Ensure employee monthly performance reviews are carried out on a timely basis.
• Develop a plan for targeted professional development and training of all Friendship Cares staff based on needs.
• Schedule formal meetings with school administration as well as drop by visits to determine levels of satisfaction with the program;
• Manage the Afterschool Club Coordinators, including conducting observations and providing feedback.
• Under the direction of the Program Director, manage special initiatives and projects.