Senior Program Associate

CHILDRENS DEFENSE FUND•Chisago Lake Township, MN

3d•$58,870 - $69,173•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Associate supports evaluation, data management, and reporting for the Children’s Defense Fund’s youth programs in Minnesota, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) and related youth development initiatives. The role helps ensure program quality, fidelity, successful implementation, and coordination. It is responsible for maintaining accurate, audit-ready data systems and meeting reporting standards and deadlines. The position leads evaluation across three federally funded 21CCLC sites, maintains evaluation tools and calendars, analyzes data, and shares findings that program staff and young people can use. It also manages grant compliance and reporting, documentation, and related deadlines. Program support includes technical assistance and site visits, family and youth engagement, event and meeting coordination, transportation logistics, partner reimbursement tracking, and relationship-building with schools and community organizations. The role is based in a hybrid office setting, with regular travel to program sites and partner organizations and some out-of-state travel. Travel may be up to 25%. The position is full-time and day shift.

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, ideally for grant-funded or publicly funded programs.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including spreadsheet and data-tool skills, and the ability to build and maintain sustainable, efficient data systems.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage datasets, calendars, and details accurately across multiple sites.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain data to audiences with varying levels of data expertise.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with people of all ages, backgrounds, skills, and abilities.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others, while also working independently.
Ability to set priorities, manage schedules, track details, and plan and evaluate work.
Understanding and appreciation of CDF-MN’s mission and how public policy affects children and families.
Commitment to improving the lives of children and to serving as an advocate and exemplar for CDF’s vision, values, and mission.
Demonstrated strong relational skills, empathy, initiative, and a commitment to 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 student, parent, and teacher pre- and post-surveys, the annual Youth Program Quality Assessment, and attendance and demographic reporting.
Build and maintain data tools, workbooks, and tracking systems to support accurate, consistent, and timely evaluation.
Turn raw data into clear findings for program staff and lead the annual program data dive.
Maintain data quality and integrity across sites and identify gaps and errors before reports are submitted.
Facilitate weekly Youth Participatory Evaluation groups.
Coordinate staff professional development on evaluation and data literacy.
Compile and submit annual reports to the Minnesota Department of Education and other funders accurately and on schedule.
Maintain documentation, records, and data trails needed to meet 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, logistics, materials, translation coordination, 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 meeting minutes.
Support tracking of partner financial reimbursements.
Build relationships with schools, partners, and community organizations, and support fundraising, policy, and advocacy activities as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.