Specialty Programs Coordinator

Overview

Writopia Lab is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit that runs creative writing workshops for kids ages 4 to 18. Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for writers, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

The Specialty Programs Coordinator is responsible for coordinating Debate and Role-Playing Games programming at Writopia Lab. This role will identify and lead in-person outreach efforts including tabling events at street fairs and festivals. This role regularly liaises with parents/guardians (who enroll their children in workshops), staff instructors, the programming team, and the internal registration team. The person in this role will lead and co-lead assigned workshops for young participants.

During the summer, This role works on the operations team at the annual two-week sleepaway camp in August located in the Berkshires.

• Schedule role-playing games and debate programs, including weekly games, holiday workshops, summer camps, debate tournaments, and overnight programs
• Support the role-playing games staff, debate staff, and the registration team in coordinating instructor schedules and program supplies
• Liaise with program partners, including schools and nonprofit organizations, to schedule partnership programs
• Communicate with enrolled families about program opportunities and conduct outreach to attract new participants
• Assess programming to ensure workshops are running effectively and suggest changes as needed
• Troubleshoot issues as they arise, with support from registration and programming teams
• Support the smooth running of programming during workshop drop-off and pick-up
• Attend Writopia Lab’s two-week overnight program in the Berkshires in August

• Organize Writopia Lab’s presence at local street fairs and school events
• Coordinate teen volunteer and part-time employee schedules for outreach events

• Lead in-person and off-site workshops
• Engage with young writers on a group and individual basis, encourage setting and achieving writing goals in a fun and productive way
• Foster a supportive, collaborative, safe workshop environment where writers feel comfortable expressing themselves
• Navigate workshop dynamics ensuring writers of different abilities, strengths, and affinities feel included and inspired
• Provide strength-based feedback to writers regularly in workshop and complete end-of-trimester written feedback for families

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3-5 years of experience in program coordination or event planning
• Interest in and enthusiasm for debate, role-playing games, and/or creative writing
• Detail-oriented and organized, with a track record of smoothly organizing education programs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excited about speaking with a wide range of people about Writopia Lab’s programs
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, fostering a positive work environment
• Enthusiasm for working with youth
• Knowledge of Google Sheets and GSuite
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required

This position is four days per week in-person and one day per week remote. The in-person location is our lab on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The schedule during the school year is generally Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. During the summer months, the schedule is Monday through Friday 8:45 AM - 5:15 PM.

Occasional weekend and evening availability required. The two-week summer camp at in August is located in the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts (transportation provided).

Annual Salary: $58,000, plus hourly rate for overtime hours (when necessary and approved); annual salary includes work at overnight camp.

• Medical…