Program Manager

Kids In Tech (Positively Partners)

Job Description

Only two out of five schools across the country offer instruction in programming and coding. Kids in Tech aims to fill in the gap with fun learning opportunities for kids to get excited about technology and be tomorrow’s innovators.

Kids in Tech strives to excite, educate, and empower children to acquire skills and confidence in technology through interactive after-school programs. Our programs focus on helping kids develop the necessary tech skills and aptitudes to participate in and be future leaders of the 21st Century innovation economy. At the core of Kids in Tech programs is the After-School Tech Club. Skilled volunteers and qualified educators guide kids ages 8-14 in fun, hands-on learning activities in technology, including computer programming, coding, career paths, audiovisual production, and more.

We are proud of our results to date:

  • 91% of Kids in Tech students report an increased understanding of the role of science in their everyday life

  • 91% of Kids in Tech students report improved technology skills

  • 64% of Kids in Tech students report improved school grades


Our programs are based in Lowell, MA and serve up to 100 children in the Lowell Public Schools. In partnership with local public and charter schools and other youth serving agencies, we aim to increase STEAM skills in our community. We are strongly committed to making our approach available for the benefit of ALL children across ALL socioeconomic strata in the communities in which we serve. To learn more about our work at Kids in Tech, please click here.

About the Role:

As Program Manager, you’ll play a vital role in developing plans and strategies to support the holistic growth of our program and participants. Over the next year, we aim to increase our footprint in Lowell and find new school partners in Boston, MA for the 2022-2023 academic year.

You will have the opportunity to create a strong operational foundation for the organization as it grows, including volunteer and teacher recruitment and support, curriculum development and program evaluation, and school partner recruitment and management. You will also design and teach our hands-on afterschool curriculum in our partner schools in Lowell, MA.

We seek empathetic and charismatic candidates who thrive in fast-paced and ever-evolving environments. As Program Manager, you will use your effective communication capabilities, detail-orientation and instructional skills to facilitate and improve our growing programs. As both an educator and innovator at heart, the Program Manager will contribute to the design and implementation of Kids in Tech curriculum, pedagogical philosophies, and program policies.

The Program Manager will work closely with and report to the Founder and Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

Program Design, Delivery and Evaluation

  • Research and develop a pedagogical approach for Kids in Tech programming and support curriculum design and implementation to ensure replicability and sustainability.

  • Design and teach curriculum for onsite and virtual school Tech Club programming

  • Create and sustain a healthy and safe learning environment for kids ages 8-14

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to devise and implement systems and processes for tracking, sharing and analyzing key metrics, related to students, instructors and volunteers, program satisfaction and impact

  • Take initiative to innovate, launch, and rapidly iterate on new program initiatives to support the overall well-being and growth of young adult

Staff and Volunteer Management

  • Assist with the onboarding/recruitment process of young people, volunteers, and program staff

  • Collaborate with a small program team to delegate work, manage to agreed upon goals and expectations, and provide frequent and relevant feedback

  • Create mechanisms for ongoing communication across program team related to programmatic and student needs and opportunities


School Partnership Management and Expansion

  • Create a list of potential school partners to consider for expansion within Lowell and to Boston

  • Build productive relationships with school leaders and school-based service providers to maintain positive reputation for current school partners and new relationships for expansion efforts.

  • Manage MOUs and service agreements with schools

System Building and Operations:

  • Design and implement systems for Kids in Tech to ensure program’s success in subsequent years related to:
    • The collection and assessment of student evaluations and surveys from parents, volunteers and instructors

    • Curriculum development across a year, including student competency development, field trips, guest speakers, and programmatic outcomes.

    • Tracking CORI, SORI, and background checks for instructors and volunteers


WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. We know people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

  • Experience designing and teaching job-readiness and STEAM project-based curriculum for kids ages 5-14

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, enthusiasm for developing productive working relationships across a wide variety of individuals and groups, both internally and externally

  • Experience prioritizing and managing multiple, diverse and on-going projects, ability to focus on big picture ideas as well as the many details of project management and staff supervision

  • Ability and willingness to occasionally work evenings or weekends for events, Board meetings, etc.

  • Prior experience successfully working, engaging or volunteering with under resourced populations, diverse communities and individuals who speak languages other than English

  • Experience in public speaking, leading and facilitating workshops and trainings

  • Exceptional organizational skills, detail orientation, and ability to prioritize

  • Ability to develop authentic connections and relationships across a variety of constituents and community members, demonstrating cultural awareness and humility with consistency and ease

  • Comfort leveraging technology including proficiency with Zoom and G-Suite

  • Knowledge and experience of data analysis, impact measurement, and reporting; experience with social emotional learning metrics preferred

  • Spanish or Khmer fluency preferred

  • Other duties as assigned

WHAT WE OFFER

The salary range for this role is $65,00-$70,000 and is commensurate with lived and professional experience. We’ll promote your professional growth and development by providing access to a benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, retirement plan, long and short term disability insurance, paid vacation, and more.

WORK EXPECTATIONS AT KIDS IN TECH

This is a hybrid role; mornings will be remote and in the afternoons, you will be expected to teach Mondays-Thursdays in the Kids In Tech program 1-3 hours each day at our partner schools. Some evening work will be occasionally required for this position (ie 3-5 times/year).

The Program Manager must be fully vaccinated (boosters encouraged) by their first day and undergo CORI, SORI and background checks.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application through the online portal operated by our recruitment partner, Positively Partners. All applicants will receive a response to their application within two weeks of submission. Candidates selected to advance in the process can expect a phone screen with Positively Partners, a video interview with Executive Director Olu Ibrahim and for finalists, a virtual interview day with key stakeholders at Kids in Tech. Expected start date for this role is April 2022.


Kids in Tech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Kids in Tech’s core values include advancing diversity, social justice for all, and inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.