Academic Coordinator, Boston

SquashBusters; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in youth development seeks a passionate Program Coordinator to enhance academic success and personal growth for students. This role involves planning engaging homework help sessions, leading team-building activities, and fostering a supportive environment. The ideal candidate will work closely with middle and high school students, helping them navigate their academic journey while instilling core values of teamwork and honesty. Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in the lives of youth through sports and education, and help shape the future of aspiring students in Boston.

Benefits

Retirement plan with employer matching

25 paid holidays

16 vacation days

Subsidized health insurance

Cell phone subsidy

Public transportation subsidies

Employer paid life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Free Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant experience in youth development or education.
• Ability to relate to diverse groups and foster relationships.

Responsibilities

• Plan and supervise homework help and enrichment sessions.
• Manage academic volunteers and maintain a positive environment.
• Coordinate community service projects and special events.

Skills

Teamwork

Organization

Communication

Group Facilitation

Spanish Language Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Job description

About SquashBusters
SquashBusters is a 28-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support and enrichment, community service, and mentoring to improve the lives of youth in Boston, Lawrence, and Providence. SquashBusters' mission is to challenge and nurture youth in these cities - as students, athletes, and citizens - so that they can recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life. SquashBusters currently serves 300 middle school and high school students who practice three days a week throughout the school year and participate in weekend practices, tournaments, and summer opportunities. After high school graduation, students join the Post-Secondary Success Program, and a dedicated staff team supports them in their chosen post-secondary path, and provides career development, internship placement, and employment opportunities. SquashBusters currently serves 180 post-secondary students, and with our first class of Providence high school seniors graduating this spring, the program is growing. In Boston, programming takes place at the Badger-Rosen SquashBusters Center located on Northeastern University’s campus. In Providence, we work and play out of the Gorgi SquashBusters Center on the campus of Moses Brown School. In Lawrence, we are in the process of building a facility, in partnership with the City of Lawrence and others, that will literally break new ground for the urban squash movement. Our core values are: Love, Honesty, Attention, Teamwork and High Standards. Do these match yours?

Overview:
The Program Coordinator: Academics is responsible for planning and running homework help sessions, team building activities and academic enrichment sessions for SquashBusters (SQB) students. Additionally, the Academic Team Member 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), Assistant Program Director (APD): Academics, 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 9^th - 11^th grade.

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 APD, 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.
• Identify, 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.

Qualifications:

• Two or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from a variety of backgrounds.
• A passion for educational opportunity, and a belief in the potential for athletic participation to both drive academic excellence and expand opportunities for success in school and beyond.
• Passion for working with young people and experience developing trusting relationships with youth and families.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills.
• A willingness to engage in physical activity with students.
• Ability to regularly work until 6:30 PM on weekdays and to work occasional weekend hours.
• 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, classroom experience, and prior participation in formal diversity training, a plus.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Annual salary starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience.
• Retirement plan with employer matching up to 5%.
• 25 paid 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.

To Apply:
Please send a resume and brief letter of interest addressed to the Boston Program Director, Carolina Restrepo to the following email address: [e-mail]. SquashBusters is committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion and we strive to ensure that our key decision makers, Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers reflect the diversity of our student population whenever possible.