Program Assistant, Academics

Job Description

Job Description

Program Assistant, Academics

Boston

Reports to

Program Director

Home Office

Boston, MA

Schedule

Part-time, approximately 20-25 hours per week during the school year, primarily afternoons and evenings, with occasional Saturdays or special events.

Status

Part-time, non-benefit eligible

Reports to: Boston Program Director

Home Office: Boston, MA

Schedule: Part-time, approximately 20-25 hours per week during the school year, primarily afternoons and evenings, with occasional Saturdays or special events.

Responsibilities:

The Part-Time Program Assistant, Academics works closely with the Academic Coordinator and Program Coordinator to deliver high-quality academic and enrichment programming for SquashBusters students in 5th-12th grade. This role supports daily homework help, enrichment sessions, leadership activities, family and school communication, and program administration.

The Part-Time Program Assistant, Academics is a positive role model who creates an engaging, supportive, and structured environment where students are challenged to grow academically, socially, and personally. This position collaborates with the squash staff and the broader Boston team to ensure students receive an integrated, high-quality experience.

Program Leadership

• Support implementation of all academic and enrichment programming for middle and high school while working closely with the PD to ensure the team meets or exceeds its target outcomes each year.
• Ensure maintenance of student standards and performance benchmarks that indicate progress against team goals.
• Use data to identify programmatic trends and create and/or adapt programs to meet identified needs.
• Collaborate with cross-site counterparts to execute organization-wide events and meet organizational goals.

Program Delivery: Day-to-Day

• Support supervision and direct daily homework help sessions, team building, community service, and leadership activities. Maintain documentation of activities.
• Collaborate with Program Director, Program Coordinator, and Academic Coordinator to plan impactful and innovative enrichment activities to prepare students for the transition from high school to post-secondary.
• Support high school seniors with completing the post-secondary application and financial aid process through a combination of SQB and partner-led group and individual student sessions.
• Provide students with individual feedback on their progress.
• Coordinate delivery of academic and enrichment sessions amongst team, utilizing resources appropriately.
• Meet with all colleagues to develop an integrated approach to student work and to coordinate and complete shared responsibilities.
• Actively ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students by adhering to SQB safety protocols and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment.
• Drive students to and from practices, matches, camps, and community service projects.

Outreach/Engagement

• Monitor students’ progress by communicating regularly with school staff, guidance counselors, and other community partners, to support student success. As required, collaborate with these partners to support students’ post-secondary application processes.
• Support communication with parents/guardians to ensure that necessary forms and paperwork are complete, and they are aware of their child’s progress, feel like part of the SQB community and can support their child’s growth and development at home.
• Support lead parent/guardian meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with full team on recruitment strategy; supporting that outreach/event approach.
• Recruit volunteers and other resources to support delivery of academic programming.

Special Event Management

• Support coordination and implementation of programming per these goals.
• Help students connect to appropriate opportunities such as external summer camps, SAT prep, and employment opportunities.
• Identity, organize and participate in community service projects and field trips, including on some weekends or overnights during the year.
• Chaperone/drive students for squash and other events as needed.
• Organize special events and programming, such as honor roll dinners and other ceremonies.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collect and update paperwork for students such as parent contracts, physicals, and report cards and update these details in the Salesforce database.
• Assist with implementation of program evaluation (T-Reports) as it relates to enrollment, attendance, retention, academics, community service and character education programming.
• Support classroom to create inviting, productive space for and prepare for day’s activities.
• Manage classroom supplies; organize and clean up classrooms at end of day.
• Support planning general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.
• Maintain and organize relevant documents in Teams and SharePoint.
• Utilize program budgets according to policy, tracking spending and receipts monthly

Relationships: At the heart of SQB mission is the power of transformative relationships (adapted from the Search Institute). Thus, Academic Team Members should:

• Express care by believing in and encouraging youth and being a dependable, warm source of encouragement.
• Challenge growth by holding youth accountable and maintaining high expectations.
• Provide support by empowering youth and providing guidance and advocacy.
• Share power by respecting, including and collaborating with youth.
• Expand possibilities by connecting youth to opportunities and inspiring and broadening horizons.

Core Competencies

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Understanding of pedagogical methods and/or curriculum design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Relevant professional experience in a classroom or academic afterschool setting.
• Experience mentoring, advising, or directing team members a plus.
• Demonstrated success in managing projects and adhering to deadlines.
• Passion for working with young people and experience developing trusting relationships with youth and families.
• A passion for educational opportunities, and a belief in the potential for athletic participation to both drive academic excellence and expand opportunities for success in school and beyond.
• Ability to regularly work until 6:30/7:00 PM on weekdays and to work occasional weekend hours (flex time offered).
• Valid driver’s license with a clean record and a willingness to drive students to and from SQB in a company van.
• Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred.
• Existing eligibility to work in the U.S.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate between $20 and $25, commensurate with experience.