Assistant Program Director, Boston MA

Overview

The Assistant Program Director (APD) is responsible for re-building and strengthening the Boston middle school program, a program that is rooted in SQB’s ICARE values:  integrity, concern for others, appreciation, respect and effort. The APD will lead the effort to recruit a new 8th grade team and create dynamic opportunities for these students. In addition, the Assistant Program Director will lead both the strategic planning and implementation of a new summer experience for Boston middle school students that strengthens and expands the impact of SquashBusters in the community. Finally, the Assistant Program Director will seek ways to strengthen and support the 10th grade class, reinforcing the ICARE values, while helping them explore different post-secondary pathways. This role is a student-facing program role with leadership, direct management, and strategic planning responsibilities.

At the heart of SQB’s mission is the power of transformative relationships. SQB staff helps SQB students discover who they are, cultivate the abilities they need to shape their own lives and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.  SQB staff work as a team in a professional, supportive, and respectful manner, and they represent and advocate for SQB in the community at large.

 Reports to: Boston Program Director

Supervisory Responsibilities: AmeriCorps Mass Promise Fellow

Responsibilities

Program Delivery and Student Support

  • Plan and execute impactful and innovative enrichment activities for 8th graders, activities that are rooted in SQB’s values, promote a healthy community, and allow students to explore their own identities.
  • Create engaging external opportunities for 8th and 10th grade students through team trips, college visits, service projects, guest speakers and various other appropriate experiences.
  • Strengthen the 10th grade team by planning and leading engaging enrichment activities and ensuring successful progression towards their post-secondary goals.
  • Ensure a productive and positive environment at SQB by managing student behavior and providing students with individual feedback on their progress.
  • Complete all daily, weekly, and seasonal administrative tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Drive students, as needed, to and from practices as well as for other events including squash tournaments and field trips.   Driving will be required occasionally on weekend days.

Strategic Planning & Direct Management

  • Design an engaging Middle School program with full Middle School enrollment and high attendance at practices, special events and external opportunities.
  • Design and pilot an engaging SQB summer experience for middle school students.
  • Directly manage an AmeriCorps Mass Promise Fellowship member who will assist with 8th grade recruitment, program delivery, and additional administrative duties. Management of AmeriCorps person will include some related HR responsibilities.
  • Work on special projects as determined by organization-wide strategic imperatives.

 Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement

  • Lead the recruitment of ~25 8th grade Boston Public School students through gym visits, open houses, and other proactive methods of engagement with member schools in the network.
  • Recruit for the 10th grade team to achieve full enrollment.
  • Monitor students’ progress in school by communicating regularly with the student, parents/guardians, teachers, staff members and others involved in their academic success.
  • Communicate regularly with parents/guardians so that they are aware of their student’s progress in the program and new updates within our organization, so that they feel like part of the SQB community and supported in their child’s growth and development.

 Qualifications, Experience and Core Competencies

While no one person will embody all the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences. 

  • Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of relevant experience or Associate’s degree with two additional years of experience required.
  • Ability to regularly work 10:00am-7:00pm 2X per week and occasional evening/weekends required.
  • Demonstrated experience in and enthusiasm for youth development and helping students progress towards personal and academic goals by developing trusting relationships with them and their families.
  • 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.
  • Ability to design and lead new and innovative programming.
  • Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills.
  • Valid driver’s license with clean record (minor infractions excluded) and willingness to drive a 14-passenger van (training provided).
  • Spanish language proficiency and prior recent participation in formal diversity training, a plus.
  • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to applicable laws)

Compensation

  • Annual salary between $55-$60K commensurate with experience.
  • Retirement plan with employer matching.
  • 5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 20 vacation days (with some restrictions).
  • Subsidized health insurance and unsubsidized dental insurance offered.
  • Free Employee Assistance Program, a cell phone subsidy, and a public transportation subsidy available.

 To Apply

To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest to: Mikhail Darlington, SquashBusters Boston Program Director, at m.darlington@squashbusters.org with the subject line: Boston Assistant Program Director.

 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 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.