Operations Manager

Employer: 

Ujimaa Medics (UMedics) empowers people to protect Black lives through emergency and community care first response training. By building agency and confidence in Black people to serve ourselves in situations that disproportionately affect our community, which include gunshot injuries, asthma and diabetic emergencies, COVID-19, seizures, and protestor defense, we build resilience and long-term wellness in our neighborhoods. We are based in the Chicago area. UMedics is mainly a volunteer-based, intergenerational health justice collective. 

Black Roots Alliance (BA) is UMedics’ fiscal sponsor. BA is a capacity-building network that builds the research, leadership, communications, legal, campaign, and non-profit management capacity for institutions that share a vision for Black liberation and dig deep into the pressing issues facing our communities. 

Job Summary: 

The Operations Manager provides high-level administrative, program, and fiscal support to leadership and general membership, performing a variety of skilled tasks that may include correspondence, preparing reports, organizing and/or attending meetings and workshops, and collecting data. The Operations Managers will report to the two co-founders for supervision. This is a full-time position. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• May train, supervise, and provide feedback on tasks performed by reporting staff and volunteers. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Works directly to support the function and role of co-founders. 

- Manages correspondence via the primary administrative email account, FB messenger account and Google Voice number with support from co-founders 

- Assists with coordination and scheduling of virtual and in-person meetings and appointments. 

- May conduct research (within skills and expertise) to assist with projects or inquiries. 

• Works directly to support the function and role of bookkeeper and accountant. 

- Assist with collection of receipts 

- Assist members with reimbursements

- Purchase supplies when necessary 

- Assist with collection of donor contact information 

• Works directly to support the functions and roles of paid and volunteer program staff. 

- Attend workshops to support trainers, help with documentation, collect and enter evaluation and sign-in information. 

- Attends bi-weekly meetings of the collective to provide relevant updates, 

maintain relationships with existing and new members, and to remain informed about the past and upcoming activities of the organization. 

- Assists with organizing in-person and online meetings and events. 

- Provide reminders about follow-up items from meetings. 

- Manage supplies and inventory. 

- Work with Black Roots Alliance communications lead and Ujimaa Medics 

program staff to keep social media updated. 

• Collects requested data and information from various sources including email and other correspondence, meeting minutes and records, and other documents; prepares summaries of findings and/or other related written correspondence as requested. 
• Responds to and resolves administrative inquiries and questions from general membership and volunteers, and partnering organizations. 
• Performs other general clerical and secretarial duties as requested, which may include recordkeeping, providing information to fiscal sponsor, maintaining supplies and coordinating equipment maintenance, and handling packages and other correspondence. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Personal connection to the mission and issues addressed by the work of UMedics · Detail-oriented, self-motivated and professional. 
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively with a diverse team of staff and volunteers that often make decisions collectively. 
• Exceptional communication skills, high emotional intelligence with a good sense of humor. 
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive. 
• Quick learner of Customer Relationship Management (CiVCRM) database software. · Basic understanding of office equipment. 
• Basic understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing. · Ability to work independently and reliably.
• Flexible and adaptable in various situations and when interacting with many different personalities. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks including delegation of tasks when appropriate. 
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire, familiarity with the mission, function, and roles within Ujimaa Medics and its fiscal agent Black Roots Alliance, and any specifically applicable guidelines. 
• Interest in learning how to deliver UMedics workshop content across topic areas. 
• Interest in supporting the healing and self-determination of Black people within our communities and across African diaspora, interest in unlearning colorism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, class oppression, and ableism. 
• Ability to work from home. 

Education and Experience: 

• Three to five years of job experience in a related role required with some supervisory experience preferred. 
• At least 2 years voluntary or paid experience working in collaborative and/or intergenerational settings with young leaders (under the age of 25) 

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 
• Must live in the Chicago metropolitan area (city of Chicago or suburban Cook county ideally) 

Preferred Characteristics: 

• Access to reliable transportation 
• Existing relationships with similarly aligned, Black-led organizations in Chicago area 
• Ujimaa Medics and Black Roots Alliance are equal opportunity employers. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Salary/benefits: 

• $40-$50K commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, vision, parental leave 
• Will receive technology stipend 
• Will receive child/senior care stipend where necessary 

To apply: 

Forward resume, a statement on a personal commitment to racial, health, and economic justice (cover letter), and 2-3 references to [email protected], subject heading “Operations Manager Application”. This position will be open until it's filled.