Program Director

Job Description

Organization Profile

The Brother David Darst Center is a social justice education and retreat center located in Chicago. Founded in 2002 as a ministry of the De LaSalle Christian Brothers, the Darst Center provides transformative social justice retreats and immersion experiences grounded in the Lasallian tradition and Catholic Social Teaching. Through our programs and partnerships with local community organizations, participants gain a deeper understanding of the complex realities of injustice and obtain tools to take action. Our primary program is an immersion retreat experience for high school and college students. The program explores five "burning issues" : homelessness, food insecurity, education, criminal justice, and immigration, which we address through encounter, direct service, social action, education, reflection, and outreach. We seek to inspire an active and engaged faith, a commitment to serve, and a passion for social change.

Position Title : Program Director

Position Profile :

The Program Director, as a member of the administrative team, is responsible for the development and implementation of the Darst Center educational programs. The Program Director initiates / manages the Center's relationships with partner agencies who serve as co-educators while also managing the relationship with the schools and parishes whose students participate in our programs.

In Addition, the Program Director serves on the Retreat Facilitation Team and works collaboratively with other staff to provide supplemental education opportunities for both youth and adults. The retreat program, the primary method of education, focuses on instruction for high school and college students, utilizing a service-learning approach to discuss issues of social justice (homelessness, food insecurity, education, criminal justice, immigration) and analyze their root causes (racism, living wage, gentrification, inequitable distribution of resources, etc.).

Primary Goals and Objectives

• Develop high-quality social justice education curriculum and programs for youth and adults
• Ensure proficiency in facilitation by all members of the retreat facilitation team (including staff)
• Enter the Darst Center into mutually beneficial relationship with direct service agencies who serve as partners
• Systematize the general practices of the Darst Center to ensure sustainability
• Further develop relationship with participating immersion groups, ensuring prompt and accurate communication
• Help foster an environment of trust, collaboration, and high performance within the workplace.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Specific Responsibilities of the Job :

Serve as member of administrative team (10%)

Further develop a high-quality immersion retreat program for students (20%)

Manage the Darst Center's relationships with current and potential participating group institutions (30%)

Collaborate with other program staff to implement a variety of educational programs (30%)

Participate in the community of the Darst Center as a valuable member (10%)

Represent the Darst Center professionally to the public

Participate in other duties as assigned or skilled

Accountability

The Program Director is hired, supervised and evaluated by, and accountable to the Executive Director.

Who You Are :

What You Bring to the Table :

How to Apply

This is a full-time, salaried position offering excellent health benefits, a 403b, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. This position will be remunerated with both a salary as well as stipends for overnight retreat facilitation. The anticipated salary plus stipend range for this position is $51,000 - $56,000.