Senior Program Associate

Childrens Defense Fund•St. Paul, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Associate supports evaluation, data, reporting, and program implementation for the Children’s Defense Fund’s youth programs in Minnesota, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) and related youth development initiatives. The role helps ensure program quality, fidelity, successful implementation, and coordination. It creates and maintains data systems, keeps data accurate and audit-ready, and ensures required reporting meets standards and deadlines. The position leads evaluation across three federally funded 21CCLC sites, maintains evaluation systems and calendars, analyzes data, and communicates findings to staff and young people. It also manages grant compliance and reporting, supports program quality and family and youth engagement, coordinates events and logistics, and builds relationships with schools, partners, and community organizations. The position works in a hybrid office setting, with regular travel to program sites and partner organizations and some out-of-state travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in data analysis, evaluation, social science, education, youth development, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience with data collection, analysis, program evaluation, and reporting, including translating data into clear findings.
Experience meeting reporting requirements and deadlines; grant-funded or publicly funded program experience is identified as ideal.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including spreadsheet and data-tool skills, and ability to build and maintain sustainable, efficient data systems.
Strong organization skills and ability to manage datasets, calendars, and details accurately across multiple sites.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate data for audiences with varying levels of data expertise.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with people of all ages, backgrounds, skills, and abilities.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others, set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Ability to set priorities, develop work schedules, monitor progress, and track details, data, information, and activities.
Understanding of and appreciation for CDF-MN’s mission and work and how public policy affects children and families.
Ability to plan strategies, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate processes and results.
Servant-leadership orientation and deep commitment to improving children’s lives in alignment with CDF’s mission.
Ability to advocate for and exemplify the Children’s Defense Fund’s vision, values, and mission.
Strong relational skills and ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
Empathy, initiative, passion, humor, and commitment to children and families; supports teamwork and a “One CDF” culture.
Willingness to work flexible hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with 21st Century Community Learning Center programs or similar federally funded evaluation and reporting.
Experience with grant reporting and compliance documentation.
Familiarity with the Youth Program Quality Assessment or similar quality assessment tools.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.
Experience working with youth and families from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
Approaches measurement and reporting as a form of care, not solely as a compliance requirement.

Responsibilities

Lead evaluation across three federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Center sites, from design through analysis and reporting.
Manage the evaluation calendar, including pre- and post-surveys for students, parents, and teachers; the annual Youth Program Quality Assessment; and attendance and demographic reporting.
Build and maintain data tools, workbooks, and tracking systems for accurate, consistent, timely evaluation.
Turn raw data into actionable findings for program staff and lead the annual program data dive.
Safeguard data quality and integrity across sites, identifying gaps and errors before reports are submitted.
Facilitate weekly Youth Participatory Evaluation groups.
Coordinate staff professional development on evaluation and improve team data literacy.
Compile and submit required annual reports to the Minnesota Department of Education and other funders accurately and on schedule.
Maintain documentation, records, and data trails required for funder and reporting requirements.
Manage reporting calendars and deadlines across multiple reports.
Track participation, attendance, and demographic data to required reporting standards.
Manage programming contracts and consultant communication, process invoices, and maintain reporting-ready records.
Compile and deliver grant and other reports and support related documentation requests.
Provide technical assistance and conduct site visits to support program quality and model fidelity and help grow the Freedom Schools network through partnerships.
Support family and advisory engagement, including meetings and sessions for families, parents, youth, and family advisory groups; coordinate logistics, materials, translation, and stipends.
Co-plan signature youth and network events with the Youth Development Senior Manager and other CDF-MN departments.
Support program events and transportation logistics, including field trip approvals and charter travel to national training.
Coordinate meetings, including calendaring and minutes.
Support tracking of partner financial reimbursement processes.
Build relationships with schools, partners, and community organizations and support fundraising, policy, and advocacy activities as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.