Coaching & Training Specialist

3 weeks ago

Arlington, United States Close Up Foundation Full time
Job DescriptionJob Description

Organization Overview | Our mission is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan leader in civic education since 1971, we believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socioeconomic level, and academic standing. We serve about 25,000 participants annually through our in-person, placed-based programming, teacher professional development, and classroom curriculum.

At Close Up, we believe:

  1. Engaging young people in discussion and deliberation of current controversial issues gives them the skills and desire for lifelong participation in the democratic process.  
  2. By remaining nonpartisan and exposing youth to various perspectives, we encourage them to form their own opinions. 
  3. Engaging with people of different backgrounds provides students with a more nuanced understanding of how policy decisions affect everyone in a community. 


Position Overview | The curriculum and training specialist collaborates closely with others in the Curriculum Department to train and coach program instructors and other program staff and to develop and refine the curriculum of Close Up programs. This is a key position that requires working both in office and field settings, including travel to program sites beyond the Washington, D.C., area. The person in this role has the ability to accurately and effectively articulate Close Up’s pedagogy and educational mission to a variety of external and internal constituencies, and the capacity to continuously maintain a high level of educational expertise to contribute to various projects undertaken by Close Up.

Close Up seeks to recruit and retain a talented and diverse group of employees. We believe that diversity and inclusion are important to the success of the Foundation. This position reports to the director of curriculum and training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities | In cooperation with other members of the team, the curriculum and training specialist has the following responsibilities:

Training Design and Facilitation

  • Design and facilitate all initial instructional training for 40-50 Civic Fellows and program instructors; training components include methodology, program curriculum, and facilitating controversial issue discussions.
  • Develop trainings for custom and specialized programs.
  • Plan and deliver professional development sessions throughout the program season to supplement initial training.

Program Instructor Coaching and Observation

  • Provide ongoing, in-field formal observation and informal coaching for a cohort of instructional staff.
  • Work with program leaders and department leadership to ensure continued growth of program instructors.

Curriculum Development and Revision

  • Develop lesson plans and supporting materials for student programs.
  • Refine and revise lessons and materials based on observations and feedback from program staff.

Other Responsibilities

  • Help deliver Close Up programming, including Washington-based student programs, virtual student programs, and professional development. Work as a program instructor or program leader as needed (4-6 weeks a year).
  • Write 2-3 blog posts per year for Close Up’s Current Issues Blog.
  • Take ownership of personal professional development by seeking out training opportunities and resources.
  • Support professional development and the creation of classroom resources as needed.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; major in education, history, political science, international relations, or a related field is preferred.
  • At least one year of experience in training adult learners or leading group facilitation.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess your own performance and adjust accordingly.
  • Ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely.
  • Willingness to provide positive and constructive feedback.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to cultivate trust and build rapport, including providing both positive and constructive feedback that supports individual growth.
  • Ability to manage a flexible, yet demanding, schedule.
  • Familiarity with teaching with controversial issues, facilitation techniques, and cooperative learning strategies.
  • Knowledge of civic education trends and practices.
  • Knowledge of government structures and processes and current political and social issues.

Working Environment

  • The person in this position will frequently be on student program. Program schedules typically run from 8am through 10pm, and programs usually start in the late afternoon on Sundays and run through Thursday night. There is flexibility within the program schedule.
  • Frequent evening and weekend work is required for Washington-based program execution, observation, and evaluation during the program season (January-June); occasional weekend and evening work is needed from September-December.
  • This position is based at the Close Up office in Arlington, Virginia, but includes frequent time in Washington, D.C., on student program.
  • There is some travel outside the Washington metro area.

Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) program; generous paid time off; Metro transportation subsidy; flexible spending health care and dependent care accounts; free gym access; and a positive work environment.

To apply, submit a cover letter and your resume. Applicants will be asked to provide a writing or curriculum sample at the time of interviewing. Applications are due by Friday, June 14, 2024.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Close Up Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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