Site Coordinator & Program Associate

Why Join Our Team?
Working at Compass for Kids means being part of a team that believes every role matters. We work hard, support one another, celebrate wins together, and stay focused on what matters most—our students.

Work That Makes a Difference
You’ll work directly with elementary-age students and help create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where they feel supported and encouraged to succeed.

Variety and Hands-On Experience
This position combines direct student support, site coordination, volunteer engagement, transportation, program preparation, and community involvement. No two days look exactly the same.

A Supportive Team
We’re a small organization where people genuinely enjoy working together. You’ll collaborate with the Program Manager, other Program Team employees, volunteers, families, schools, and community partners who share the same mission. 

A Place Where You Belong
We know our team is stronger because of the different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives each person brings. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected, supported, and encouraged to be themselves.

 

Work That Matters
At Compass for Kids, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. Through academic support, social-emotional learning, and caring relationships, we help underserved children and families build confidence, resilience, and a brighter future.

Since 2011, we’ve grown from a single-church initiative into an independent nonprofit serving students throughout Springfield Public Schools District 186 through programs such as Club Compass and Camp Compass. Every day, our team has the opportunity to make a real difference. Whether you’re leading activities, supporting students, building relationships with families and volunteers, or preparing materials behind the scenes, your work helps create meaningful opportunities for children to learn, grow, and succeed.

Learn more about us at compassforkids.org.

 

Position Summary

The Part-Time Site Coordinator and Program Associate helps deliver high-quality programming through Club Compass during the school year while supporting additional program and organizational needs outside the assigned Club Compass site.

This position coordinates weekly site operations, supports students and volunteers, assists with transportation and program logistics, maintains accurate records, and helps create a structured, welcoming environment where students can learn, build relationships, and experience a sense of belonging.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, flexible, and comfortable balancing direct work with students and behind-the-scenes program responsibilities. This role requires initiative, strong communication and relationship-building skills, and a genuine commitment to supporting children and families underserved by our community.

Reports to: Program Manager

What Success Looks Like 

In your first year, you’ll:

• Build strong, supportive relationships with students, families, volunteers, school staff, and Program Team employees.
• Coordinate consistent, organized, and engaging weekly programming at the assigned Club Compass site.
• Help students feel safe, welcomed, supported, and connected.
  Recruit, prepare, and support volunteers so they feel confident and successful in their roles.
• Complete attendance, volunteer, behavioral, assessment, and other required program records accurately and on time.
  Reliably support transportation, program preparation, special events, and additional program needs.
• Contribute to a professional, collaborative, and student-centered team culture.

 

Key Responsibilities

Club Compass Site Coordination 

• Coordinate weekly operations at the assigned Club Compass site and help ensure programming is organized, structured, and consistent.
• Prepare supplies, materials, enrichment activities, volunteer assignments, meals, transportation information, and other site needs.
• Lead and participate in social-emotional learning activities using approved curriculum and materials.
• Reinforce program expectations and model positive behavior, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Support students in managing behavior using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.
• Participate enthusiastically in academic activities, enrichment, field trips, and special events.
• Communicate site needs, concerns, successes, and follow-up items to the Program Manager.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment for students and volunteers.

Student and Family Relationships

• Build strong, supportive relationships with students and families to encourage participation, belonging, and success.
  
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with families by phone, text, email, and in person.
  
• Share important program information, transportation updates, student successes, and concerns with families and appropriate Program Team employees.
  
• Collaborate with school staff, teachers, administrators, and family-engagement teams.
  
• Serve on the assigned school’s Family and Community Engagement Team when requested.
  
• Protect confidential student and family information.

Volunteer Recruitment and Support

• Recruit, welcome, prepare, and support volunteers serving at the assigned Club Compass site.
  
• Provide volunteers with clear assignments, expectations, program information, and ongoing guidance.
  
• Support volunteers in using the social-emotional learning curriculum and responding appropriately to student behavior.
  
• Build positive relationships with volunteers and help create an experience that encourages continued involvement.
  
• Maintain accurate volunteer contact information and service-hour records.
  
• Communicate volunteer needs, concerns, and successes to the Program Manager.

Transportation and Program Logistics

• Coordinate and provide student transportation as assigned, which may include driving a personal vehicle or a Compass for Kids vehicle.
  
• Pick up students from school, transport them to program locations and field trips, and provide transportation home when needed.
  
• Follow all transportation, vehicle-safety, supervision, and student-release procedures.
  
• Deliver Backpack Feeding Program bags and other supplies to program sites.
  
• Sort, prepare, assemble, organize, and transport program materials and supplies.
  
• Assist with program setup, cleanup, inventory, and other operational needs.
  
• Provide Program Associate support outside the assigned Club Compass site as scheduled. 

Data, Documentation, and Program Quality

• Record student attendance accurately and within established deadlines.
  
• Track behavior referrals, assessments, and other required program information.
  
• Assist with administering and collecting pre- and post-program social-emotional learning surveys.
  
• Maintain accurate student, family, volunteer, transportation, and program records.
  
• Document and share strength-based student and program success stories.
  
• Help identify site needs, recurring challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming.
  
• Complete required documentation, follow-up items, and routine responsibilities accurately and on time.

Camp Compass and Additional Program Support

• Support Camp Compass planning and implementation when employed during the summer program.
  
• Assist with student engagement, program preparation, materials, transportation, enrichment activities, field trips, and other assigned responsibilities.
  
• Support activities and special projects at other Compass for Kids program locations when scheduled.
  
• Adapt to changing program needs and contribute wherever additional support is needed.

Community Engagement and Organizational Support

• Represent Compass for Kids professionally at school events, community activities, volunteer initiatives, and partner events.
  
• Support outreach efforts that strengthen community partnerships and organizational visibility.
  
• Assist with basic program-related social media content and highlights as assigned.
  
• Assist with thank-you notes, special events, and organizational projects.
  
• Use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Little Green Light, and other organizational technology effectively.

General

• Uphold and model Compass for Kids’ mission, policies, professional standards, and commitment to office-place civility.
  
• Demonstrate Compass for Kids’ core values: Belonging, Results-Driven, Adaptability, Value-Adding, and Excellence.
  
• Protect confidential student, family, volunteer, employee, donor, financial, and organizational information.
  
• Communicate professionally and respectfully in person, by phone, by text, and through email.
  
• Maintain reliability, punctuality, organization, and consistent follow-through.
  
• Work collaboratively across program sites and departments.
  
• Participate in required meetings, training, and professional development.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This description reflects the primary duties of the role but is not an exhaustive list. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as program and organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working directly with children, builds strong relationships, stays organized, and can confidently manage the moving parts of a busy program site.

Skills & Strengths

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, volunteers, school staff, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complete routine responsibilities within established deadlines.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and adaptable in a fast-paced program environment.
• Ability to support student behavior using positive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and ask for guidance when needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Calendar.
• Ability to learn and use Microsoft Office, Little Green Light, and other organizational systems.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality.

 

Compensation & Benefits

Status: Part-time, non-exempt

Hours: Up to 25 hours per week during the school year 

Pay Structure: This position uses two hourly rates based on the work being performed:

$20 per hour for Site Coordinator responsibilities at the employee’s assigned Club Compass site.

$19.10 per hour for Program Associate duties performed outside the employee’s assigned Club Compass site. 

We believe taking care of our employees allows us to better serve our community.

Benefits include:

• Paid leave accrued at one hour for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with organizational policy and the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act.
• Eligibility for the SIMPLE IRA retirement plan after one year of employment, including an employer match of up to 3%.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive, mission-driven team culture.

Schedule

This position works approximately 25 hours per week during the school year. Availability until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays is required while Club Compass is operating. The anticipated schedule on those days is approximately 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Remaining hours may be scheduled flexibly throughout the week in coordination with the Program Manager and based on program and organizational needs. Occasional evening or weekend work will be required for training, meetings, special events, field trips, or other program needs.

This school-year position operates from August through May. Summer employment with Camp Compass during June and July may be available based on program needs and available positions. 

Location

This position is based in Springfield, Illinois. Work is performed primarily in person at the assigned Club Compass site, the Compass for Kids office at 1201 S. 4th St., other program locations, Springfield Public Schools District 186 schools, and community-event locations.

Regular local travel and reliable in-person attendance are essential parts of this position. This role is not eligible for regularly scheduled remote work because its primary responsibilities require direct student, volunteer, school, family, and program-site engagement.

Requirements

Reference Information

Please provide information for three (3) professional references who are not related to you. You will be asked to provide each person's name, relationship to you, phone number,and email address.

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