About SMASH

SMASH is committed to increasing racial equity in K-12 computer science (CS) education and the next generation of our workforce by building interest, knowledge, and aspirations in computing among underrepresented identities in the field. 

After operating for more than 20 years and inspiring thousands of students of color to pursue careers in STEM, the SMASH Board has spent the better part of 2022-2023 reimagining SMASH in alignment with educational and economic shifts.

In this next phase of the organization, SMASH aspires to engage even more students from underrepresented backgrounds through a more intensively CS-focused curriculum and across a wider variety of formats. Innovative in-person and virtual programs aim to provide early exposure to CS concepts and careers to students of all ages, with deep-impact programming specifically for high school students.

Programming will continue to center on SMASH Academy, a three-week, cost-free, residential on-campus summer experience which helps students develop critical thinking, civic and social awareness, and leadership skills. Initially available at five partner sites across the country, this next phase of Academy supports rising 11th and 12th graders in developing CS skills and credentials.

With the support of partners, SMASH plans to offer additional in-person experiences for high school and college students with Hackathons/Open Innovation Challenges, which will provide early exposure to computer science (CS), empower youth to address pressing community challenges through CS, design thinking and rapid prototyping.

To bring the SMASH experience to a national audience, we also plan to develop digital programs to support students nationwide in developing their CS knowledge and support their college and career navigation journey. SMASH digital resources will be open to students nationwide, while in-person programming serves students throughout the Bay Area, greater Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston regions.

This is a pivotal time for SMASH as SMASH builds on the success of our programs. Working at SMASH is about rapid growth, grit, personal commitment, accountability, and courage to challenge the status quo. If you have what it takes to change the computer science landscape, we want to hear from you.

SMASH is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization operating under the umbrella of the Kapor Center family of organizations. 

Position Description

As a member of the Site Management Team, the Academic Coordinator (AC) plays a critical support role to the Program Director and liaison to the SMASH National team. Working with the instructional and residential teams to support the successful delivery of the SMASH Academy by performing duties related to planning, directing, and coordinating both the programmatic and operational activities of the program is essential. In this position, the AC will play a key role in the success of SMASH scholars and staff through the effective implementation of administrative processes, communication with scholars and families, and leading logistics for program events. As an Academic Coordinator, you will work closely with the Program Director and staff to manage the programmatic, operational, and tech customer support aspects of the SMASH program.

The SMASH AC works closely with the SMASH Curriculum Team, Program Directors, and Facilitators to support the academic programming of SMASH Academy for a specific SMASH site. The AC is responsible for ensuring the quality implementation of our SMASH Academy curriculum at their assigned site. The AC is responsible for the day-to-day management of the facilitators, however, the Program Directors are their official managers. The AC is responsible for facilitating training prior to the program launch and providing support throughout SMASH Academy by way of weekly staff meetings, observations, coaching, live classroom support, data collection, and office hours. SMASH Core academic courses include: Design Thinking Workshop, To+Through (CS Pathways), and Electives. The AC will support alignment by way of fidelity to the implementation of the SMASH Curriculum provided by SMASH.

This assignment is a part time position starting on March 23, 2024, then moving to a full time engagement starting June 23, 2025. 

As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet work space for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director.

All staff and scholars will be required to comply with the SMASH COVID-19 policy for in-person programming. Currently, staff working in-person are expected to test at least once each week they are working in-person with colleagues. Additionally, we encourage testing before and after in-person company and non-company sponsored events and travel. All staff and scholars must also comply with any site specific COVID-19 requirements. Site specific requirements will be shared as they become available and are subject to change. If a quarantine mandate is enforced by local government, university, or SMASH, all SMASH Academy programming will be held virtually.

SMASH reserves the right to revise, delete, and add to its COVID-19 policy at any time, with or without notice. Nothing in the SMASH COVID-19 policy creates a contract or changes the nature of the at-will employment relationship.

You must be available for all training and program dates.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.

Academic Support

• Attend AC training, team meetings, and check-ins prior to SMASH Academy launch
• Attend and assist with the delivery of National Training Week for facilitators
• Assist the Program Director with workshop facilitator interviews
• Supervise/manage facilitators during Academy (in conjunction with Program Directors)
• Ensure fidelity of implementation of the SMASH curriculum
• Host Facilitator Office Hours and weekly staff meetings, and provide coaching and facilitation approach
• Conduct classroom observations to ensure quality and adherence to curriculum standards  (in conjunction with Program Directors)
• Collect data for various SMASH quality assessment tools
• Assist in planning and implementation of site competitions
• Assist in planning and implementation of Staff Debrief and Closeout
• Maintain clear and open lines of communication with the Curriculum Team and Program Directors to ensure alignment of support strategies
• Substitute for facilitators or staff as needed.

Program Administration

• Develop and manage site program calendars, including communicating updates 
• Ensure completion of site deliverables (e.g. pre + post assessment scores, attendance, staff and scholar surveys, staff and scholar deliverables, final inventory, etc.)
• Respond to inquiries from multiple stakeholders, (e.g. scholars, families, staff, etc.)
• Collaborate with SMASH’s Communications team to facilitate video or media-related projects
• Establish and maintain a positive, professional relationship with SMASH scholars; serve as a role model during the academy
• Serve as point person for COVID-19-related protocols and procedures based on SMASH and University guidelines

Class & Event Organization

• Work with key stakeholders, plan and lead logistics for workshops and events
• Collaborate with SMASH’s Development and Communications teams to facilitate site tours

Scholar Tech Support

• Respond to tech support needs of scholars and staff by identifying and resolving minor issues as well as escalating major issues to the SMASH IT team 
• Work with the SMASH IT team to support and track scholar tech issues in our ticketing system
• Work with scholars to facilitate hardware repairs with external product vendors
• Monitor laptops and other technical equipment to ensure they operate as needed
• Assist with virtual classroom setup and troubleshooting, AV, Zoom, and presentation needs
• Coordinate with the Program Director to assist with distributing laptops as needed

Human Resources

• Lead SMASH site-specific Policies and Procedures Training for SMASH Facilitators with support from the Program Director

Data Management

• Ensure all created documents are uploaded and organized in the designated site repository
• Collaborate with the Curriculum team to ensure Learning Management System data is updated and utilized effectively at a Site level
• Editing and inputting information into various site documents and spreadsheets
• Maintain and systematize scholar contact, medical records, and contracts

Required Attributes:

• Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations
• Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when navigating situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution 
• Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data-based decisions
• Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met

What you bring:

• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential
• Demonstrated programs or operational effectiveness working with students (preferably at high school level) from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds
• Previous experience with adopting and adapting to new technologies through self-guidance and video tutorials
• Results-driven; work around potential obstacles to ensure all goals are met and deliverables are completed by the end of program
• A minimum of one (1) year of administrative or relevant experience 
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Calendar, Doc, Sheet, Email, Forms) and Zoom
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills are required
• Strong attention to detail, prompt responsiveness and ability to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively
• Must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule to attend events on evenings and/or weekends

Application Information:

Apply for this position below and ensure you can make the training and program dates (see table in above section of Job Description). If applying to multiple sites, please rank your site preference in the application. 

The application includes a place to upload your resume and cover letter and to provide written responses to specific prompts. This position will close when filled.

If you have been selected for this position by your Program Director (PD), an application is required (you do not need to submit a cover letter) and your PD will send you the link to apply Please also submit the recommitment form provided by your PD, and SMASH will send you your updated offer letter.

Compensation:

This is a non-exempt position. The hourly compensation for this position is estimated to be $32.00. Should the employee miss any hours or days of work, the daily and therefore total compensation will be adjusted accordingly. If your assignment ends earlier than we anticipate for any reason, your compensation may also be reduced accordingly. Please note, pay will be variable per pay period based on part-time and full-time phases of the program. These policies are subject to variation based on specific circumstances.

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status.  Above and beyond discrimination/harassment based on “protected categories,” SMASH also strives to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at SMASH.

We value a diverse workforce: people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.