Training + Implementation Specialist (TIS)
SMASH, United States
Job Description
Organization: SMASH
Program: SMASH Academy
Title: Training + Implementation Specialist (TIS)
Location: Virtual (100% Remote based on region -- See below Application Information section)
Reports to: National Curriculum + Training Manager
Position Type: Full-time, temporary
About Us and Our Philosophy:
Founded in 2001, SMASH is an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that operates SMASH Academy, a year-round STEM-focused program that serves underrepresented high school students. In tandem, SMASH conducts research examining inequity in access and opportunity across K-12, higher education, and workplace contexts in order to improve the outcomes for underrepresented students in STEM fields.
SMASH Academy is typically a five week, three-year STEM residential academic acceleration program for motivated, high school students from underrepresented populations (African-American, Latinx/Hispanic, Southeast Asian and/or Pacific Islander, and Native American), who have demonstrated an aptitude for science and math. During the summer component, SMASH provides accelerated classes rooted in solving real-world problems and exposure to STEM fields; the academic rigor is alloyed with a strong community experience in residential dorms to introduce our scholars to a university environment. During the academic year, SMASH provides computer science courses, scholarship workshops, college counseling, community events and further exposure to STEM opportunities.
Due to the current global pandemic, SMASH will be pivoting to an abbreviated, 4-week SMASH Virtual model for Summer 2021. Though scholars will no longer partake in the residential component of SMASH, we are committed to providing highly impactful programming to our scholars.
This is not for the faint of heart. But if you think you have what it takes to dare to change the face of STEM, join us.
About the Role:
The SMASH Training + Implementation Specialist (TIS) works closely with the SMASH Curriculum Team, Site Directors, and Facilitators to support the academic programming of SMASH Academy for a specific region (i.e. West Coast, Midwest, or East Coast). The TIS is responsible for ensuring quality implementation of our SMASH Academy curriculum at all sites of a given region (3-4 sites per region). Though the TIS does not directly manage facilitators (they are managed by the Site Directors), they are responsible for facilitating trainings prior to program launch and providing support throughout SMASH Academy by way of observations, newsletters, and office hours. SMASH Core academic courses include: STEM Workshop, To+Through (College Success), and Computer Science. The TIS will support alignment by way of fidelity of implementation of SMASH Curriculum provided by SMASH.
This is approximately a 5-month assignment (April to August), with a full time engagement period from June 28th to August 6th 2021. Although the majority of the position will function as described below, some aspects are subject to change due to evolving program needs.
TIS staff will be working with facilitators virtually and will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset. This position will be key to the successful implementation of SMASH Academy curriculum by way of training and ongoing support.
This is a 100% remote position. The position can be done virtually, from a home office or, if feasible, from any virtual location with reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed). The responsibilities listed below demand a quiet space and we expect staff to provide their own equipment. You will need a personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex).
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.
Essential Job Duties:
- Attend TIS trainings prior to SMASH Academy launch
- Ensure timely preparation of all materials required for a successful facilitator training prior to SMASH Academy launch
- Facilitate national + regional trainings prior to SMASH Academy launch (Week of June 28th)
- Provide post-training support to sites at respective region
- Conduct weekly learning space observations for all facilitators at designated sites
- Weekly office hours
- Communication via slack, email, etc.
- 1:1 support as needed
- Data collection for various SMASH quality assessment tools
- Attend weekly Curriculum Team meetings to assess support needs and plan accordingly
- Attend SMASH Curriculum Team closeout post-SMASH Academy
- Maintain clear and open lines of communication with Curricul