Amala aims to heal communities through conversation. Since 2001, Amala has worked to build a healthy and diverse community by focusing on a culture of belonging. Amala offers leadership programs grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) for youth and adults from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We believe that when people are committed to their social and emotional growth, connecting with others, and engaging in their communities, there is hope for an equitable, inclusive, and compassionate future for all of us. All our work is done through the lens of equity, inclusion, and systemic change.

We are seeking an organized and collaborative thinker with experience working with public education systems, particularly in areas related to social-emotional learning, and/or community mental health services, to guide the next phase of our program evolution. BIPOC applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Direct life experience in the African-American community is essential.

What will the Program Director do?

Group Facilitation: Plan and develop SEL and mindfulness curriculum. Serve as key facilitator that provides social-emotional learning sessions and mentors students in an empathetic manner. Use culturally responsive circling practices and protocols, and strategies to strengthen relationships and build community. Facilitate formal and informal professional learning on campuses with teachers and staff to create a culturally responsive restorative whole school environment.

Grant Management: Manage grant reporting, including renewal documents, ensuring compliance and monitoring grant deliverables

Program Management: Direct expansion and supervision of our programs, including our in-school Circle Up program and after-school program Rise Up, to provide non-clinical mental health and wellness services to the community in select schools and conduct community outreach around the city

Program administration: In collaboration with and at the direction of the Executive Director, assist with vision, implementation, and administration of programs offered in local schools or other settings. This can also include managing staff, budgets, marketing, and other tasks

Teacher Training & Facilitation: Manage a team of facilitators to produce and facilitate culturally responsive SEL and mindfulness-based trainings for educators and families, including monitoring and training facilitators and ensuring they have necessary materials, coordinating with school communities on workshop and professional development opportunities

Community Partnerships: Build and expand partnerships with schools, nonprofits, businesses, funders, and other communities. Work to ensure partners have relevant materials and regular communications

Preferred Education, Qualifications, and Experience:

At Amala, we value both formal and informal education. All education levels are welcome.

Experience working with youth from diverse communities (preference towards having lived experience in the communities we serve)

Strong facilitation skills

Grant management experience

Familiarity with SEL and mindfulness practices

Is this position for you?

We are a highly functioning team because we are highly functioning individuals. To be successful in this role, you must be self-motivated, reliable, accountable, self-aware, and HIGHLY organized.

You must be equally comfortable facilitating a circle with youth, creating a budget in excel, and collaborating with school leaders to expand SEL programming on their campuses. If you can get the right people on board and take a project from start to finish without being told what to do, this position may be for you.

You must have a passion for SEL and equity, a commitment to becoming increasingly self- and racially-aware, an open and curious mind about people who are different from you, a natural urge to collaborate, and a willingness to bring your whole self (but not give your whole life!) to the job. If sitting in silence and checking in for a few minutes before meetings sounds like a dream to you, this position may be for you.

Why work at Amala?

Amala offers the following benefits:

Flexible schedule

Hybrid work options

401K matching

Unlimited vacation time

Health benefits

and more!

Our team is small, we get along amazingly well, and we support each other’s growth and wellbeing. We have a flexible culture that promotes self-management and integrity, and encourages team members to connect as humans, not just as people with interlacing to-do lists. As a team, we teach and practice “leveling,” the idea that we are all imperfect people trying to get through life’s ups and downs (as opposed to seeing young people as inferior humans in need of wisdom from adults who have it all figured out).

What is the compensation package and when does it start?

Salary range: $58,000-$65,000

How to apply

Email your resume to outreach@amalafoundation.org, along with a cover letter in which you answer the questions listed below. You will receive an email notifying you that your materials have been received. After that, Amala will initiate all contact. Please respect our hiring process and refrain from calling or sending additional emails. Given the nature of this work and working with youth, we do perform background checks on qualified We look forward to connecting with you.

Cover letter questions (please limit to two pages):

Why are you interested in Amala’s Program Director position and what about your background draws you to this position?

What experience do you have working in SEL programs, public schools, and/or mental health services?

Why do you think Amala’s work is important?

What are the strengths and weaknesses you would bring to this position?

Deadline to apply is midnight on June 23rd.