Organization Overview | Close Ups mission is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. As a non-profit/non-partisan leader in civic education since 1971, we believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens; therefore, we seek to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socio-economic level, and academic standing. We reach about 25,000 participants annually through our in-person, placed-based programming, teacher professional development, virtual programs, and classroom curriculum. We Believe: * Democracy requires members who are able to reflect on their own values and interests as well as the values and interests of others, communicate their ideas and visions, and take active steps to advance their political goals. * Young people must learn and practice the dispositions and skills needed to become lifelong active and engaged participants in democracy. * Engaging young people in public policy discussion and deliberation of current controversial issues will give them the skills and desire for lifelong participation in the democratic process. * By remaining nonpartisan and exposing young people to a variety of perspectives, we encourage them to consider a range of ideas and form their own opinions. * Encountering and engaging with those who may have different backgrounds provides young people with a more nuanced understanding of how policy decisions will affect all within a community. Position Overview | The Coaching & Training Specialist works as a member of the Coaching & Training team within the Curriculum department. The team primarily supports Close Ups DC based programming with middle and high school students through the Coaching & Training of over 50 program instructors. The Coaching & Training Specialist is a key position that works both in-office and in-field settings. the ability to accurately and effectively articulate Close Ups pedagogy and educational mission to a variety of external and internal constituencies, and the capacity to continuously maintain a high level of educational expertise to contribute to various projects undertaken by Close Up. Responsibilities (in cooperation with other team members) Training Design and Implementation (or Facilitation) * Design initial instructional training for 40-50 Program Instructors; training components include methodology, program curriculum, and facilitating controversial issue discussions * Create and facilitate all training sessions for Program Instructors * Develop trainings for specialized programs * Plan and deliver professional development sessions throughout the program season to supplement initial training Program Instructor Coaching and Observation * Provide ongoing in-field formal observation and informal coaching for a cohort of instructional staff - positive and constructive feedback that supports individual growth * Work with curriculum staff to ensure continued growth of program instructors * Collaborate with the Coaching & Training team to identify trends among instructional staff Other * Deliver Close Up programs, including DC based student programs, virtual student programs, and professional development * Keep abreast of best practices in coaching, training, and adult education Qualifications * Bachelors degree from a four-year college or university * At least one year of experience training adult learners or leading group facilitation * Demonstrated ability to assess own performance and adjust accordingly * Ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences clearly and concisely * Authorized to work in the US for any employer * Proof of COVID-19 vaccination as required by company policy * Willingness to submit to a post-offer criminal background check according to federal regulations Other Qualifications * Familiarity with teaching with controversial issues, facilitation techniques, and cooperative learning strategies * Excellent communication skills, including speaking and presentation skills * Ability to cultivate trust and build rapport * Ability to manage a flexible, yet demanding schedule * College major in education, history, political science, international relations, or related field preferred * Knowledge of civic education trends and practices preferred * Knowledge of government structures and processes preferred Schedule and Travel * The Coaching & Training Specialist will frequently be on student program. Program schedules typically run from 8am through 10pm, and programs usually start late afternoon on Sundays and run through Thursday night. There is flexibility within the program schedule. * Frequent evening and weekend work required for DC-based program execution, observation and evaluation during the program season (January-June), occasional weekend and evening work September-December. * This position is based at the Close Up office in Alexandria, VA, but includes frequent time in DC on student program. * Infrequent travel outside DC metro area. Compensation and Benefits | In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Close Up provides a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision discount, life/AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement savings program, paid time off, Metro transportation subsidy or free garage parking, flexible spending health care and dependent care accounts, free gym access, and a positive work environment. Work Conditions and Physical Demands | Standing : Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time; Walking : Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another; Talking : Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly; Hearing : Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound; Visual acuity : Performing an activity such as preparing and analyzing data; viewing a computer terminal; reading; Environmental conditions : Activities occur inside and outside, potentially in extreme heat or cold, at times at a high noise level. Upload a brief statement or cover letter describing why this position is the right fit for your skills and experience. Close Up Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer PI149422378