2025 SMASH Academy To+Through: CS Pathways Workshop Facilitator (Spelman)

Smash; Welcome (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Workshop Facilitator for their summer program focused on computer science education. This role involves guiding high school scholars through engaging workshops, helping them explore various career pathways in tech. You will play a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment that encourages underrepresented students to build their technical identities and professional skills. With a commitment to equity and inclusion, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the next generation of tech leaders. If you're ready to inspire and empower young minds, this could be the perfect fit for you!

Qualifications

• Experience in facilitating workshops for high school students.
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and teaching methods.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate daily workshops for 15-25 scholars exploring CS pathways.
• Prepare and manage sessions, ensuring all voices are heard.
• Log student achievement data and attend weekly staff meetings.

Skills

Exceptional listening

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Resilience

Education

Experience co-facilitating workshops

Knowledge of 21st Century skills

Tools

Zoom

Google Hangouts

Cisco Webex

Job description

2025 SMASH Academy To+Through: CS Pathways Workshop Facilitator (Spelman)

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.

SMASH Academy is a three-week, cost-free, residential on-campus summer experience that helps students develop critical thinking, civic and social awareness, and leadership skills. SMASH Academy supports rising 11th and 12th graders in developing CS skills and credentials.

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

Position Description

Reporting to the Program Director, the To + Through: CS Pathways Workshop Facilitator will play an integral role in delivering and sustaining the transformative learning experience that SMASH Scholars need to pursue, persist, and succeed in computer science and technology careers. Workshop Facilitators will facilitate one workshop per day, guiding a group of around 15-25 scholars through exploring computer science career pathways, building technical identity, and developing professional skills.

CS Pathways provides scholars with vital knowledge and skills needed to navigate computer science education and career opportunities. Scholars will explore topics such as various computer science career paths, building CS identity, developing public speaking skills, strengthening community connections, and selecting relevant college programs. Activities are delivered in an engaging and meaningful manner that pays special attention to scholars from historically underrepresented backgrounds in tech, focusing on building confidence and community in computer science.

This is a 2-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training prior to launch, and a close out day after SMASH Academy (see chart below for dates). Facilitators will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset.

As this role has a virtual component, staff are expected to provide their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) with 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 a quiet workspace 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.

Onboarding: 6.23.2025 (National, Virtual)

Staff Training: 6.24.2025 - 6.27.2025 (Virtual)

7.3.2025 (Site-specific, In-Person)

7.7.2025 - 7.18.2025 (Site-specific, In-Person)

Virtual Close Out: 7.24.2025

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Attend Training (see dates above)
• Adhere to the structure of the curriculum provided by SMASH
• Facilitate To + Through Workshop Sessions
• 1.5hr sessions 3 days/week (M,W,F)
• Alternate between whole group, small group, and individual facilitation
• Facilitate learning through inquiry
• Prep adequately for sessions by reviewing material
• Take attendance and communicate absences with Program Director and/or Program Coordinator
• Guide conversation between participants, ensuring all voices are heard
• Manage the space to ensure outcomes are met for the day and that the group is on track relative to larger outcomes and goals for the summer
• Continuously assess scholar learning, provide feedback, and pivot as needed
• Communicate and reflect with co-facilitators to ensure activities are aligned and outcomes are met
• Log student achievement data on a weekly basis
• Attend Weekly Staff Meetings (1hr/week)
• Attend Staff Closeout
• Ensure Completion of Deliverables (e.g., log pre + post assessment scores, attendance, staff surveys, final inventory, etc.)

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 outcomes are met

What you bring:

• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential
• Demonstrated experience and success co-facilitating workshops with 15-25 participants (preferably at high school level)
• A belief that ALL scholars are capable of growing and achieving as learners
• 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 the program
• Knowledge of 21st Century skills
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with low-income, first-generation college youth of color in diverse fields
• Desire to teach with technology and improve technological skills as needed
• Willingness to be self-reflective and reflexive about your individual teaching philosophy and practice
• Excellent management skills; openness to various and/or new pedagogical and facilitation approaches
• Flexibility in your availability for training dates and event dates
• Virtual learning experience a plus

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 $30.00. 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.