Job Description

In the past few months, more than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. Today’s challenge is about more than getting Americans back to work: it is about creating pathways to higher-paying, more resilient careers in order to build a more equitable future as the economy recovers.

Now, more than ever, we must rally behind the tens of millions of American adults who are unemployed or stuck in low-wage jobs in pursuit of family-sustaining, recession-resilient careers.

To that end, Merit America is looking for a talented Communications & Operations Associate to help deliver and ensure the success of our Dallas and virtual sites, with the goal of helping hundreds of adults advance their careers. With your help, Merit America will close the skills gap at scale.

Merit America Overview

Merit America is a non-profit that has been named by the New York Times as “a glimpse of the hybrid future of training programs for the disadvantaged.” Our fast and flexible programs are designed to work for underemployed and unemployed adults - who can learn while they balance work, family, and in current times, social distancing. We combine on-demand online learning with coaching and peer support (delivered in-person or virtually) to create the most effective, scalable model in the field. Our goal is to build the most effective, large-scale education-to-employment program in the country, and​ we have the ambitious goal of reaching ​10,000 learners annually and driving $1B in aggregate wage gains by 2024.

Key Responsibilities

This role presents a significant growth opportunity to help build our program and local team, taking on increasing responsibility as the site grows from hundreds of learners to thousands. This position will support an exceptional learner experience from program acceptance through completion, and drive operational excellence by utilizing and/or creating the tools and processes necessary for the programs to more than double in the next 12 months.

Communications & Outreach (45%):

• Deliver virtual information sessions and group interviews to aid in the selection process of new learners 
• Ensure that Merit America learners experience top-notch communication and service as they move through our intensive training programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for learner inquiries not related to coaching and training 
• Own responses and maintenance of program inquiries in site email account, looping in other relevant parties as needed

Program Operations (45%):

• Drive program operations effectiveness by managing the following processes across learning tracks managed by the DFW site/pod, with anticipation of serving 800 learners annually: 
  • Assist with learner orientation processes including pre-program survey administration and squad scheduling
  • Assist with learner setup and ongoing maintenance on Merit portals and systems (e.g., Learner portal, Slack, Coursera, etc.)
  • Lead Failed Participation “FP” communications and appeals processes, including Salesforce documentation across program tracks 
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in Salesforce in partnership with site staff, including up-to-date preferred learner contact information 
  • Manage the site program track calendars and meeting invitations including weekly labeling, squads, and events schedule
• Work with coaches and Site Director to increase program operational efficiency
• Assist site team in sourcing additional support for learners (job postings, low-cost computers, etc.)
• Facilitate and document team meetings and decisions; assist Site Director to ensure that overall planning remains on schedule

Project and Event Management (10%):

• In partnership with the Site Director and Program Operations, schedule, plan, and execute engaging and meaningful events intended to support learners’ skill development and community building. Events include program webinars, kickoffs, mock interview events, alumni panels, recruiter Q&A, guest speakers, networking, and graduation events.

Preferred Qualifications

At Merit America, we believe that if you can excel in the job, you should get the job - so we hire for skills, instead of specific experience or education requirements. That said, experience and education related to the skills outlined below is preferred:

• Operational Excellence: Exceptional operational and organizational skills, and ability to manage your own schedule and balance multiple demands, with demonstrated success working in fast-paced environments and solving problems creatively
• Relationship-Building: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form trust-based relationships with learners and other stakeholders. 
• Professionalism & Communication: Highest standard of professional conduct and communication; articulate with strong self-confidence and initiative; strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, are a must.
• Content Expertise: Experience with event planning, utilizing databases, social media preferred. Background in higher education or nonprofits in the workforce development space a plus but not required
• Deep Empathy: Outstanding ability to understand and empathize with others, including people with diverse backgrounds and interests, and a commitment to improving the lives of underserved Americans
• Lifelong Learning: Commitment to lifelong learning and ongoing personal and professional development
• Social-Impact Mindset: Desire to work directly with underserved populations and meaningfully improve their lives, and experience driving a “double bottom line” in terms of producing business and mission impact
• Entrepreneurial Drive: Resourcefulness, agility, and comfort working in ambiguous, quickly changing environments, including eagerness to wear multiple hats as needed and to help shape our start-up’s future

Details/Logistics

• Timing: Full-time position, with an anticipated start date in January 2021.  Please note that our office is closed from December 19 - January 3 but we will begin reviewing applications and starting the interview process on January 4.  
• Compensation: Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package
• Applications without a resume attached will not be considered

Diversity is integral to our success and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe in workplaces that are fully inclusive and include underrepresented individuals in terms of race, gender and/or socio-economic status, and any other characteristics protected by applicable law. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply

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