Academic Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

SquashBusters Academic Coordinator, Boston

Reports to: Boston Program Director

Home Office: Boston, MA

Schedule: 10:00-6:30/7:00 Monday-Friday during the school year, with occasional weekend or evening hours required. Fridays (or another day are given off when working a Saturday). Summer hours are slightly reduced.

Overview:

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for planning and running homework help sessions, team building activities and academic enrichment sessions for SquashBusters (SQB) students. Additionally, the Academic Coordinator plans and runs special programming including community service outings and field trips. As a member of the program team, they will collaborate with the Program Director (PD), Program Coordinator (PC), and all program staff to ensure an integrated approach to SQB academic, sport and character development programs. Through these programs, the program staff will challenge, nurture, and hold accountable SQB youth so that they recognize and fulfill their potential. This position will work most closely with the 40-50 students in 9th - 12th grades.

Responsibilities:

Program Delivery: Day-to-Day

• Plan, supervise and direct daily homework help sessions to support students’ school work.
• Plan, supervise and direct impactful and innovative team building, enrichment, and leadership activities that support SQB’s recipe and focus on post-secondary and career success.
• Create/maintain documentation of team building, leadership, and enrichment activities.
• Ensure a productive and positive environment at SQB by managing student behavior and consistently instilling SQB values and providing students with individual feedback on their progress.
• In conjunction with the PD and PC, develop and implement academic success plans/contracts as needed.
• Manage academic volunteers during homework and academic enrichment sessions.
• Meet with both academic and squash colleagues to develop an integrated approach to work with students and to coordinate and complete shared responsibilities.
• Transport students to and from practice as needed, including driving SQB van or walking with students to train.
• Actively ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students by adhering to SQB safety protocols and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment.

Outreach/Engagement

• Monitor students’ progress in school by communicating regularly with school staff to determine the best ways that SQB can support a student’s success.
• Communicate with parents/guardians to ensure that necessary forms and paperwork are complete and so they are aware of their child’s progress, feel like part of the SQB community and can support their child’s growth.
• Organize and lead parent/guardian meetings as needed.
• Recruit or assist in recruiting students for SQB program as needed.
• Support recruitment and training of academic volunteers as needed.

Special Event Management

• Recruit for, coordinate, and implement summer programs.
• Identity, organize and participate in community service projects and field trips, including on some Saturdays during the year. Chaperone/drive students for squash or team events as needed.
• With colleagues, organize and participate in overnight trip for appropriate grade levels.
• Identify and organize workshops or guest speakers on relevant topics throughout the year.
• Organize and/or assist in organizing special events and programming, such as honor roll dinners.
• Help students connect to appropriate opportunities such as external summer camps, SAT prep, and employment opportunities.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collect and update paperwork for students such as parent/guardian contracts, physicals, report cards and program fees and update these details as well as attendance and summer activities in the Salesforce database.
• Assist with implementation of program evaluation and presentations (T-Reports).
• Maintain classroom to create inviting, productive space for students and prepare classroom for day’s activities.
• Manage classroom supplies and daily snacks. Organize and clean up classrooms at end of day.
• Plan general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.
• Support SQB's social media strategy via posting on appropriate site accounts following program events and trips.
• Maintain and organize relevant documents in Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

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.

Responsibilities/Expectations of all SquashBusters’ staff:

• Develop and maintain positive, respectful relationships with all members of the SQB community.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with all SQB stakeholders as needed. Respond to requests and emails in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with others by working in a positive, constructive manner to further SQB mission and solve problems. Value the contributions of all members of the community.
• Represent and advocate for SQB in the community at large and take initiative to further SQB mission.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset by being consistently engaged and self-reflective, welcoming feedback to continually improve.

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.
• Three or more years of 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

• Annual salary between $50,000 and $57,000, commensurate with experience.
• Retirement plan with employer matching up to 5%.
• 26.5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 16 vacation days (with some restrictions).
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Free Employee Assistance Program, a cell phone subsidy, and public transportation and parking subsidies available.

SquashBusters is an equal opportunity employer and strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. SquashBusters is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and looks to all its staff members to foster and promote its values.