Operations Specialist

yearup; New York (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare options

Dental coverage

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Job summary

Year Up United is seeking an Operations Specialist to report to the Director of Special Projects. You will support site operations, facilities, staff, and external stakeholders, while driving process improvements and cross-team collaboration.

You will mentor students, facilitate group sessions, and participate in staff trainings, contributing to a positive educational environment.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of work experience in an office environment.
• Available to be in office 5 days per week.
• Strong acceptance of change, willingness to perform and lead through change.
• Experience successfully creating and/or modifying processes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office.
• A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time for various stakeholders, both internal and external.
• An ability to exercise critical thinking through ambiguous problems.
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up.
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers.

Responsibilities

• Operational Systems and Staff Support
• Maintain and cultivate external vendor relationships
• Work across teams to create efficient systems and processes
• Maintain facilities, including general office support as needed
• Manage supply ordering, track budget, and ensure up-to-date emergency procedures are in place
• Review and process staff expense report transactions through online system (Concur), ensuring that all items are coded to the correct General Ledger segment
• Support site technology infrastructure by working with the National IT Team
• Manage logistics for staff meetings as needed
• Provide administrative support to the Executive Director as needed
• Other duties as assigned
• Serve as a thought partner to the Operations team on a range of strategic questions and organizational initiatives
• Undertake special projects at the direction of the leadership team and in collaboration with other team members, as needed
• Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings

Skills

MS Office

Time management

Communication

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Change management

Mentoring

Process improvement

Attention to detail

Tools

Concur

Job description

The Operations Specialist will report directly to the Director, Special Projects - Programs and will support the efficiency of the site by defining new processes and improving existing systems. The Operations Specialist will execute and deliver on a range of responsibilities, including supporting local operational systems, facilities management, staff support and communication with external stakeholders and vendors.

To be successful in this role, you’ll be comfortable working independently and will thrive in a fast-paced environment where you’re asked to juggle competing priorities and deadlines. You’ll be asked to move with a sense of urgency and work with and across teams to ensure that departmental and site needs are met. You’ll be someone who enjoys thinking creatively and critically about how to constantly improve the functionality of the site as a whole, offering input and suggestions.

In keeping with Year Up’s values, the Operations Specialist will also have the opportunity to interact with students as a mentor, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in building a positive educational environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operational Systems and Staff Support
• Maintain and cultivate external vendor relationships
• Work across teams to create efficient systems and processes
• Maintain facilities, including general office support as needed
• Manage supply ordering, track budget, and ensure up-to-date emergency procedures are in place
• Review and process staff expense report transactions through online system (Concur), ensuring that all items are coded to the correct General Ledger segment
• Support site technology infrastructure by working with the National IT Team
• Manage logistics for staff meetings as needed
• Provide administrative support to the Executive Director as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Project Support

• Serve as a thought partner to the Operations team on a range of strategic questions and organizational initiatives
• Undertake special projects at the direction of the leadership team and in collaboration with other team members, as needed

Site Team/Learning Community Member Interaction

• Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1-2 years of work experience in an office environment
• Available to be in office 5 days per week
• Strong acceptance of change, willingness to perform and lead through change
• Experience successfully creating and/or modifying processes
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of MS Office
• A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time for various stakeholders, both internal and external
• An ability to exercise critical thinking through ambiguous problems
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Hourly Rate Range: $26-30/hour

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

This is a non-exempt role (paid on an hourly basis).

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults-no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults