Role: Design the Future, Human Resources Liaison 

Location: Remote

Salary: Unpaid Internship/Experiential Learning

Duration: February - May/June 2021 (Flexible, depending on intern needs and availability)

Hours: 10-15 hours per week, possibly more depending on availability and performance.

Contact: designthefuture@dcdesignltd.com 

Apply: Please submit your resume with cover letter via the following link: Design the Future - Program Personnel Application 

Company Overview - DC Design:

DC Design is a social impact strategy and design consulting firm. We partner with social impact entrepreneurs, foundations, nonprofits, governments and private companies to address complex social problems. Through our framework of Multi-Stakeholder, Human-Centered Design, we help organizations design lasting solutions that reduce systemic inequality in America and help people thrive. We have extensive experience in designing systems, curricula, products and services related to criminal justice, healthcare, foster care, social impact education, and designing for disability. All of our work is powered by the belief that we can only create consistent positive change by being in community with those we aim to serve.

Position Overview - Design the Future, Human Resources Liaison:

The Design the Future HR Liaison will play a key role in supporting the staffing and personnel needs of DC Design’s Design the Future program. Design the Future is an award-winning Design Thinking & STEM summer program in which small teams of high school students design and build products for individuals with disabilities (our Project Partners). Design the Future: Digital is the next iteration of this program offering students from all over the world the chance to participate remotely. In this two-week program, June 14-25, students will learn and employ Design Thinking as they build and launch real apps that improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Each Design the Future program is staffed by the following team members:

• 1 Design Lead Facilitator (a teacher, professor, or other education and design professional)
• 1 Technical Lead Facilitator (a teacher, professor, or other education and engineering or product design professional)
• Design Coaches (university students and young professionals who are passionate about human centered design, engineering, computer science, youth mentorship, disability awareness and social impact; 1 Coach for every team of 4-6 students)
• Project Partners (individuals with physical disabilities who are passionate about disability awareness, youth mentorship and design; 1 Project Partner for every team of 4-6 students)

The Design the Future HR Liaison will be essential to ensuring the success of the summer 2021 Design the Future: Digital program, as well as supporting long-term personnel lifecycle strategy for Design the Future. The HR Liaison will play an integral part in the recruitment, selection and orientation of program Design Coaches (approx. 30-40 coaches).The HR Liaison will report to the Program Coordinator. 

The ideal candidate will be a demonstrated leader with a passion for social impact, and a range of knowledge and experience in areas related to: candidate recruitment, interviewing, assessment and engagement. Familiarity with recruiting university students, temporary staff and People of Color is especially helpful.

Responsibilities Include:

• Research, identify and engage various avenues and organizations for recruiting program Design Coaches (upper-level university students, recent grads or young professionals in specific fields), with a focus on recruiting Students of Color.
• Create awareness regarding Design Coach opportunities (job postings, email outreach, presentations at recruitment events, etc.)
• Assist with tracking, scheduling and preparing for outreach events as needed
• Serve as point-of-contact for Design Coach inquiries, applicants and new hires
• Provide initial review of Design Coach candidate applications and determine qualification for interviews
• Schedule and conduct video interviews, document interview outcomes and provide hiring recommendations to the Program Coordinator
• Communicate hiring decisions and next steps to applicants
• Assist selected applicants with completing pre-employment paperwork and tasks as needed
• Prepare and disseminate onboarding materials
• Assist with coach training logistics and communications
• Communicate week-of program information and logistics to coaches
• Follow up with coaches to ensure completion of expense reimbursements and exit surveys
• Provide strategy and support for improving all stages of the Design Coach life cycle
• Additional responsibilities as they arise

Required Qualifications/Core Skills:

An upper-level student or recent grad with demonstrated knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Human Resources: 1-2 years’ experience in the following areas: 
  • Recruiting candidates from specified demographics, and through the use of varied, innovative recruitment tools
  • Responding to inquiries, managing email communications and scheduling
  • Conducting candidate assessments and interviews, providing recommendations to team members, and communicating hiring decisions to applicants
  • Preparing on-boarding materials

• Community Outreach and Engagement: The ability to prepare materials, conduct presentations, provide and implement engagement strategies, and engage with potential participants and personnel from diverse backgrounds in a positive, human-centered, culturally appropriate manner; an exceptional fit as the “face of the company” to candidates, making a good impression during interactions

• Project Management: Tracking, managing and successfully completing multiple tasks that may present competing deadlines and prioritization; the ability to track applicant communications, and accurately schedule meetings and provide meeting details to participants

• Good Judgment: The ability to evaluate candidates’ fit with Design the Future--assessing areas such as availability, skills, experience and personal qualities

• Self-Driven and Proactive: The ability to look ahead and be prepared for the next step -- to notice areas where support is needed and take initiative

• Empowered Collaboration: A “can-do” attitude with a growth mindset and the desire to learn new skills, engage in planning and strategy discussions, voice concerns, support team members and ask for help when needed.

• Technological Savvy: The ability to learn and navigate several online systems including: Airtable, Slack, Gmail and GSuite, video conferencing systems, CRM and application management systems.

• Social Impact Focus: Demonstrated focus on social causes in previous work, potentially in areas such as racial equity, social justice, education, diversity in STEM, or other social impact fields

• Remote Work Experience: The ability to work independently in an off-site environment with minimal supervision. Self-disciplined with excellent time management skills.