The Detroit Community Technology Project is Hiring a Program Coordinator for the Equitable Internet Initiative

The Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP) is hiring a Program Coordinator for the Equitable Internet Initiative, a program that aims to ensure that more Detroit residents have the ability to leverage digital technologies for social and economic development. DCTP’s mission is to use and develop technology rooted in community needs that strengthens human connections to each other and the planet.

This is a contract position with the expectation of approximately 40 hours of work per week over 18 months, starting August 22, 2016. The position may be extended past the end of 2017, pending renewal of grant funds. The deadline to apply is August 3, 2016.

About the Equitable Internet Initiative

DCTP launched the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) in order to ensure that more Detroiters have the ability to leverage Internet technologies for social and economic development. The goals of this initiative are to:

• increase Internet access through the distribution of shared Gigabit Internet connections in three underserved neighborhoods;
• increase Internet adoption through a Digital Stewards training program that prepares residents of those same neighborhoods with the skills necessary to bring their communities online; and
• increase pathways for youth into the opportunities of Detroit’s Innovation industries through intermediate and advanced digital literacy trainings.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP), Allied Media Projects (AMP), Grace in Action Collectives, WNUC Community Radio, and the Church of the Messiah’s Boulevard Harambe Program.

About the Position

The EII Program Coordinator will support three neighborhood anchor organizations to implement the Digital Stewards and Next Gen Apps training programs over an 18 month period. The Digital Stewards training prepares neighborhood leaders to design, build and maintain community wireless networks, then stipends graduate to organize a network. The Next Gen Apps training provides digital literacy, coding, and app development skills to Middle and High School aged students, then facilitates apprenticeships between graduates and local technologists.

The Program Coordinator will oversee the development and implementation of timelines, curriculum, and outreach strategies for these training programs at each site, in collaboration with anchor organization leaders. They will work with DCTP communications staff to develop written and visual materials about the EII program as a whole. They will assist the DCTP Director with program evaluations, facilitation of program retreats, and will engage in local and national conversations about equitable Internet adoption strategies.

The EII Program Coordinator will report to the Director of the Detroit Community Technology Project, a sponsored project of Allied Media Projects. The Program Coordinator will be expected to work out of the Allied Media Projects offices in Detroit. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Specific Responsibilities

• Assist the DCTP Director to lead an orientation with anchor organization staff to set goals, expectations, and agreements for the 18 month initiative.
• Coordinate hiring processes for Digital Stewards trainers across all three anchor sites (including: writing job descriptions, facilitating selection processes, and leading orientations).
• Coordinate hiring processes for Next Gen Apps trainers across all three anchor sites (including: writing job descriptions, facilitating selections processes, and leading orientations).
• Facilitate monthly check-ins with Digital Stewards trainers and anchor organization staff, in order to provide support with:
• Participant recruitment
• Curriculum design and implementation
• Selecting Digital Stewards graduates for network build-out and adoption campaign apprenticeships
• Design and management of apprenticeships
• Creation and facilitation of Neighborhood Network Advisory Boards
• Overall program management
• Facilitate monthly check-ins with Next Gen Apps trainers and anchor organization staff, in order to provide support with:
• Participant recruitment
• Curriculum design and implementation
• Selecting Next Gen Apps graduates for tech apprenticeships
• Design and management of apprenticeship programs
• Overall program management
• Assist with the development and implementation of program evaluations
• Assist with design and facilitation of program retreats (for curriculum writing, evaluation, and orientations).
• Provide support for program logistics as needed, including support for planning program graduation ceremonies for both Digital Stewards and Next Gen Apps.
• Help organize a Digital Justice Network Gathering at the 2017 Allied Media Conference

Qualifications

Required:

• Excellent organizing and management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, as well as independently
• Ability to lead and facilitate simultaneous programming
• Experience with large group facilitation
• Experience with event production
• Experience with community-based program management
• Experience with managing and maintaining partnerships with diverse sets of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and time-management skills.
• Fluency with Google Applications (Docs, Drive, Sheets, Forms, etc.)

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods and the community organizing landscape
• Familiarity with popular education theories and practices
• Familiarity with the work of DCTP and the Detroit Digital Justice Coalition
• Experience teaching in traditional or non-traditional educational settings
• Experience designing, using, and/or teaching community technologies

How to Apply

Send a cover letter, resume and three references to Diana Nucera at communitytech@alliedmedia.org no later than midnight, August 3rd. The email subject line should read: “Program Coordinator for the Equitable Internet Initiative.”

Allied Media Projects is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, LGBTQ, and disabled candidates to apply.