About Squashbusters
SquashBusters is a 28-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support, 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 400 middle school, high school and post-secondary students. Middle and High School Students practice at least three days a week throughout the school year and participate in weekend activities, tournaments, and summer opportunities. After high school graduation, students join the Post- Secondary Services Program, and a dedicated staff team supports them in their chosen post-secondary path, and provides career development, internship placement, and employment opportunities. In Boston, programming takes place at the Badger-Rosen SquashBusters Center located on Northeastern University’s main campus. Our core values are: Love, Honesty, Attention to Detail, Teamwork and High Standards. Do these match yours?
Position Summary
The SquashBusters Boston program is led by a dedicated team of professionals that promote the benefits of supportive engagement on the court and in the classroom for students across the City of Boston. SquashBusters aims to ensure that its graduates (1) enroll in and successfully complete college or other post-secondary opportunities; (2) understand and embrace life-long habits of health and wellness; and (3) develop a deep sense of character and personal integrity.
Specific academic programming includes homework help, enrichment activities, and one-on-one post-secondary mentoring to help students apply to, enroll in, and graduate from a best-fit postsecondary opportunity. Students develop their personal character through community service, leadership opportunities, and travel experiences that broaden their horizons. Additionally, regular practice, squash competitions, and fitness activities demonstrate the importance of health and wellness for life.
The Academic Coordinator for Middle School is responsible for leading the 6th – 8th grade academic and enrichment programming at SquashBusters. The Academic Coordinator will support a cohort of approximately 60 students across three support pillars: college, character, and health by planning and leading enrichment sessions and homework sessions for middle school students and supporting activities for high school students led by Academic Coordinator for High School. Additionally, the Academic Coordinator plays a critical role in recruiting and welcoming new 6th and 7th grade students to the team as well as in supporting 8th grade students with their high school planning and applications.
The Academic Coordinator is an integral member of Boston Program team and will work closely with other team members to provide holistic and individualized support to all students.
Program Delivery
- Directly support a caseload of 60 6th – 8th grade students across the college, character, and health pillars of the SQB program.
- Plan, supervise, and direct impactful and innovative enrichment activities to help students persist through middle school, as well as to prepare students for the transition from middle school to high school.
- Plan, supervise, and direct daily homework help sessions to support students’ schoolwork and prepare supplemental activities for students who have completed their homework.
- Work with students and families to navigate and successfully complete the high school choice, ISEE test prep, and/or private school application process with a focus on fit for each family.
- Recruit and/or assist in recruiting ~40 student try-outs per year for SQB program.
- Build a culture of community, leading from a transformative relationship and youth development perspective, within the middle school cohort.
- Create and maintain documentation of team building, leadership, and enrichment activities.
Outreach and Engagement
- Communicate with parents/guardians so that they feel like part of the SQB community and can support their student’s growth and development at home; meet regularly with families about the secondary school process and their student’s progress as needed.
- Communicate with a student’s teachers, advisor, and guidance counselors as needed.
- Communicate with partner community-based organizations to diversify academic enrichment sessions for current students.
Special Event Management
- Coordinate and implement team building, summer opportunities, and other special programs.
- Organize and participate in social events and field trips for appropriate grade levels.
- Chaperone approximately three-four annual overnight trips for SquashBusters participants.
- Drive students to/from special events in SquashBusters vehicles as needed.
Administration Responsibilities
- Organize schedules and materials and collect and enter student data in a Salesforce database.
- Assist with implementation of program evaluation (T-Reports).
- Plan general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.
- Document and track program spending and work with team to manage program budget.
Relationships
At the heart of SQB mission is the power of transformative relationships (adapted from the Search Institute). Thus, SquashBusters Boston Team Members should:
- Express care by believing in and encouraging youth and being a dependable, warm source of encouragement.
- Challenge growth maintaining high expectations and holding youth accountable.
- 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 experience
- Ability to regularly work until 6:30 PM on weekdays and to work occasional weekend hours
- Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and a willingness to drive students to and from SQB events in a company van as needed
- 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
- Enthusiasm for working with young people and experience developing trusting relationships with youth and families
- Ability to work with young people who have experienced trauma
- 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
- Spanish language proficiency, and prior recent participation in formal diversity training, a plus
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual salary between $50,000 – $60,000, commensurate with experience
- Retirement plan with employer matching
- 5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 16 vacation days
- Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance available
- Life and disability insurance benefit, cell phone subsidy, and public transportation subsidy available
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter addressed to the Boston Program Director, Mikhail Darlington to the following email address: recruiting@squashbusters.org
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. We believe in an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all of the various forms of oppression are addressed, challenged, and dismantled. Our primary focus is on racism because we live in a society that is so resistant to, and uncomfortable with, discussions of racism.