Term Position (Making Our Own Space Program Director)

Job Title:

Term Position (Making Our Own Space Program Director)

Kent Campus - Kent OH

Salary:

$60000 - $75000 per year with a benefits package. This is a staff position which does not include the possibility of tenure.

Basic Function:

The CUDC is seeking a full-time MOOS (Making Our Own Space) Program Director (position) with demonstrated leadership capabilities multi-disciplinary design and fabrication experience an interest in urban design education and a commitment to youth involvement in the design process.

The position will lead the CUDCs MOOS program strategy and operations working closely with the CUDC Director and staff in advancing the mission and activities of the organization initiating new partners and programs leading youth-oriented projects and developing proposals for grants and technical service contracts that support MOOS. Depending on interests qualifications and needs of the CUDC the position may also contribute to design studios seminars of Kent States Graduate Programs as well as support urban design and/or research projects of the CUDC.

Additional Basic Function if applicable:

The position will oversee a MOOS program coordinator position whose role exists as an in-the-field program facilitator as well as graduate assistants and student workers.

A goal of hiring this position is to establish a consistent presence of MOOS in Northeast Ohio including but not limited to establishing year-round MOOS programming; exploring a permanent workshop and material storage location in Cleveland; lead existing and new partner relationship coordination; mapping a decade of projects in Greater Cleveland neighborhoods; analyzing conditions of projects updating with QR codes and stenciled Made By Youth branding repairs for safety as needed; convening focus groups and developing new partnerships with middle and high schools construction trades and design entrepreneurs for workforce development to assess programs and rework them as needed using national best practices; updating the award-winning field guide from 2019; re-instituting the youth-led podcast Making Our Own Stories initiative alongside the construction projects; grant management and alumni tracking.

Work will take place at the CUDCs Cleveland facility 1309 Euclid Avenue Suite 200 in the Playhouse Square District of Cleveland Ohio. This role also involves area travel and hands-on construction work in indoor and outdoor environments.

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include but not be limited to the following:

CUDC Overview

The Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) is a community design practice of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University. The CUDC conducts research provides technical design assistance to communities and supports public education and design advocacy programs. The CUDC is located in downtown Cleveland where it shares space with Kent States Graduate Programs in Urban Design Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

MOOS Program Overview

Making Our Own Space (MOOS) is a youth design-build and neighborhood empowerment initiative of the CUDC. MOOS engages middle and high school students in transforming underused public spaces through hands-on design collaborative planning and real-world construction projects. MOOS has run in Cleveland neighborhoods predominately at Neighborhood Recreation and Resource Centers - for over 10 years and has provided meaningful career and workforce exposure for hundreds of youths aged 11 17. MOOS functions as an early-stage career pipeline by introducing design and construction pathways building foundational trade skills fostering soft skills such as teamwork and communication and connecting students to future opportunities in design construction and community development. Students receive stipends for their contributions. For more information: Making Our Own Space Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative

To strengthen and expand MOOS to impact more youth and establish a robust year-round workforce-oriented curriculum the CUD

Additional Examples of Duties if applicable:

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED plus 1 year of professional work experience.

License/Certification:

Knowledge Of:

Skill In:

Ability To:

Preferred Qualifications if applicable:

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge skills abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Working Schedule:

Additional Information:

To be considered for the MOOS (Making Our Own Space) Program Director position please submit and on-line application and then attach:

Statement of Interest including relevant experience

Resume

Work sample or portfolio Please send these materials to with MOOS Program Director in the subject line.

Applications will be reviewed and responded to on a rolling basis.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on October 31 2026; however first consideration will be given to candidates that apply by October 9 2026.

Must pass a security check.

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences and are inclusive welcoming respectful and kind.

For official job descriptions visit State University is a Smoke-Free Tobacco-Free University effective July 1 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent States campuses or other locations and properties that are owned operated or leased by Kent State both domestic and international. For additional details visit intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties job hours and responsibilities.