Odyssey Junior Coordinator

The award-winning, multi-generational UW Odyssey Project is a UW-Madison program housed within the Division of Continuing Studies. Through free access to education, Odyssey takes a whole family approach to breaking cycles of generational poverty while focusing on giving adult and youth learners a voice, increasing participants' confidence in reading, writing, and speaking, and creating a supportive community for students as they continue on their educational journeys. About to complete its 23rd year, this inspirational project has empowered low-income adults to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams by getting a jump start at earning college degrees they never thought possible. Some graduates of the program have journeyed from homelessness to UW-Madison degrees, or from incarceration to meaningful work in the community. Odyssey consists of five programs serving adults and their children, held at the UW South Madison Partnership Space and in several correctional facilities across the state.

ABOUT ODYSSEY JUNIOR:

While their parents are in class, over 50 children of Odyssey students, ages newborn-18, participate in one of our five Odyssey Junior classrooms: Baby Badgers (newborn - 2), Scouts (2-4k), Explorers (K-3rd), Voyagers (4th-7th), and Teens (8th-12th). Recognizing that breaking the cycle of generational poverty involves whole families, we support children in self-expression and literacy through a variety of forms, including visual arts, reading, writing, speaking, music, and movement.

Job Duties:

• Program coordination for Odyssey Junior:
  
  
  • Support Monday and Wednesday evening programming, including greeting families, providing classroom support, program set up and clean up, and classroom photography
  • Provide administrative support for Odyssey Junior's director, including maintaining program enrollment documents, organizing digital materials, and assisting with publication of the Odyssey Junior Oracle
  • Manage Odyssey Junior's volunteer process, including tracking interest forms, interviewing prospective volunteers, onboarding new volunteers, and maintaining required training documentation in accordance with UW policy
  • Plan quarterly family events, including serving as the primary liaison between program staff and external organizations, scheduling events, creating promotional content, securing necessary materials, set up, and clean up
  • Communicate with community partners to schedule guest visits and coordinate logistics
  • Coordinate purchasing, distribution, organization, and receipt documentation of program materials
  • Create promotional content for Odyssey's social media and update Odyssey's website
  • Engage in continued learning opportunities related to Odyssey Junior's mission
  
  
  
  
• Other activities supporting the UW Odyssey Project:
  
  
  • Assist Odyssey's adult program coordinator with food logistics for weekly programming, including planning orders, coordinating with vendors, receiving deliveries, maintaining supplies, and distributing meals
  • Research and compile community resources and opportunities that would benefit Odyssey families
  • Participate in regularly scheduled meetings with supervisor, program staff, and DCS staff
  
  
  
  

• Utilizes independent judgement regarding development, implementation, promotion, and evaluation for one or more academic programs, initiatives, or events

• Identifies program, needs, contributes to the development of unit workflows, schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings, events, and interviews

• Coordinates program components and evaluates program effectiveness and provides recommendations for improvement

• May supervise the day to day activities of one or more academic programs and resolves issues exercising discretion to meet unit goals.

Continuing Studies, Liberal Arts and Applied Studies

Minimum $45,000 ANNUAL

• Ability to work Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-8pm during the academic year
• Experience working in youth programming or a relevant degree
• Experience working with racially diverse and low income groups
• Demonstrated cultural humility
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances
• Strong skills in Microsoft (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle
• Ability to lift 30 lbs

• Lived experience related to Odyssey's mission
• Experience with event planning
• Experience with volunteer coordination
• Experience with youth curriculum development
• Excellent problem solving and independent decision-making skills
• Knowledge of simple design software (Canva, Wordpress) to create promotional materials, social media content, and website updates

Bachelor's Degree Preferred

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional/supervisor references as a part of the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice. Please ensure your resume and cover letter address how you meet the minimum/preferred qualifications for the position.

Zachary Yafai

HR Business Partner

zyafai@wisc.edu

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