2026 SMASH Academy - Academic Coordinator (Northeastern) - Boston - Smash Inc

Description

About SMASH
At SMASH, we aim to build a strong STEM workforce through academic learning and experiential engagement for high school and college students. We empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, aiming to cultivate success in college and careers. Our vision is to create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy. By providing opportunities, we seek to enrich our communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.
This is a pivotal time for SMASH as SMASH builds on the success of our programs. Working at SMASH is about rapid growth, grit, personal commitment, accountability, and courage to challenge the status quo. If you have what it takes to change the STEM landscape, we want to hear from you.
SMASH is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization operating under the umbrella of the Kapor Center family of organizations.
Position Description
As a member of the Site Management Team, the Academic Coordinator (AC) plays a critical support role to the Program Director and liaison to the SMASH National team. Working with the instructional and residential teams to support the successful delivery of the SMASH Academy by performing duties related to planning, directing, and coordinating both the programmatic and operational activities of the program is essential. In this position, the AC will play a key role in the success of SMASH scholars and staff through the effective implementation of administrative processes, communication with scholars and families, and leading logistics for program events. As an Academic Coordinator, you will work closely with the Program Director and staff to manage the programmatic, operational, and tech customer support aspects of the SMASH program.
The SMASH AC works closely with the SMASH Curriculum Team, Program Directors, and Facilitators to support the academic programming of SMASH Academy for a specific SMASH site. The AC is responsible for ensuring the quality implementation of our SMASH Academy curriculum at their assigned site. The AC is responsible for the day-to-day management of the facilitators, however, the Program Directors are their official managers. The AC is responsible for facilitating training prior to the program launch and providing support throughout SMASH Academy by way of weekly staff meetings, observations, coaching, live classroom support, data collection, and office hours. SMASH Core academic courses include: Design Thinking Workshop, To+Through (CS Pathways), and Electives. The AC will support alignment by way of fidelity to the implementation of the SMASH Curriculum provided by SMASH.
This assignment is a part-time position starting on March 28, 2026, then moving to a full-time engagement starting June 29, 2026.
As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following - their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker, and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet workspace for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director.
You must be available for all training and program dates.
Onboarding
National, Virtual)
SMT Training
National, Virtual)
Staff Training
National, Virtual)
Site-specific, In-Person)
SMASH Academy
Site-specific, In-Person + Virtual)
Virtual Close Out

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.
Academic Support

• Attend AC training, team meetings, and check-ins prior to SMASH Academy launch
• Attend and assist with the delivery of National Training Week for facilitators
• Assist the Program Director with workshop facilitator interviews
• Supervise/manage facilitators during Academy (in conjunction with Program Directors)
• Ensure fidelity of implementation of the SMASH curriculum
• Host Facilitator Office Hours and weekly staff meetings, and provide coaching and facilitation approach
• Conduct classroom observations to ensure quality and adherence to curriculum standards (in conjunction with Program Directors)
• Collect data for various SMASH quality assessment tools
• Assist in planning and implementation of site competitions
• Assist in planning and implementation of Staff Debrief and Closeout
• Maintain clear and open lines of communication with the Curriculum Team and Program Directors to ensure alignment of support strategies
• Substitute for facilitators or staff as needed.

Program Administration

• Develop and manage site program calendars, including communicating updates
• Ensure completion of site deliverables (e.g. pre + post assessment scores, attendance, staff and scholar surveys, staff and scholar deliverables, final inventory, etc.)
• Respond to inquiries from multiple stakeholders, (e.g. scholars, families, staff, etc.)
• Collaborate with SMASH's Communications team to facilitate video or media-related projects
• Establish and maintain a positive, professional relationship with SMASH scholars; serve as a role model during the academy
• Serve as point person for COVID-19-related protocols and procedures based on SMASH and University guidelines

Class & Event Organization

• Work with key stakeholders, plan and lead logistics for workshops and events
• Collaborate with SMASH's Development and Communications teams to facilitate site tours

Scholar Tech Support

• Respond to tech support needs of scholars and staff by identifying and resolving minor issues as well as escalating major issues to the SMASH IT team
• Work with the SMASH IT team to support and track scholar tech issues in our ticketing system
• Work with scholars to facilitate hardware repairs with external product vendors
• Monitor laptops and other technical equipment to ensure they operate as needed
• Assist with virtual classroom setup and troubleshooting, AV, Zoom, and presentation needs
• Coordinate with the Program Director to assist with distributing laptops as needed

Human Resources

• Lead SMASH site-specific Policies and Procedures Training for SMASH Facilitators with support from the Program Director

Data Management

• Ensure all created documents are uploaded and organized in the designated site repository
• Collaborate with the Curriculum team to ensure Learning Management System data is updated and utilized effectively at a Site level
• Editing and inputting information into various site documents and spreadsheets
• Maintain and systematize scholar contact, medical records, and contracts

Required Attributes:

• Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations
• Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when navigating situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution
• Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data-based decisions
• Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met

What you bring:

• Commitment to SMASH's mission; and willingness to embrace goals/values are essential
• Demonstrated programs or operational effectiveness working with students (preferably at the high school level) from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds
• Previous experience with adopting and adapting to new technologies through self-guidance and video tutorials
• Results-driven; work around potential obstacles to ensure all goals are met and deliverables are completed by the end of the program
• A minimum of one (1) year of administrative or relevant experience
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Calendar, Doc, Sheet, Email, Forms) and Zoom
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills are required
• Strong attention to detail, prompt responsiveness, and ability to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively
• Must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule to attend events on evenings and/or weekends

Application Information:
Apply for this position below and ensure you can make the training and program dates (see table in the above section of the Job Description). If applying to multiple sites, please rank your site preference in the application.
The application includes a place to upload your resume and cover letter and to provide written responses to specific prompts. This position will close when filled.
Compensation:
This is a non-exempt position. The hourly compensation for this position is estimated to be $32.00. Should the employee miss any hours or days of work, the daily and therefore total compensation will be adjusted accordingly. If your assignment ends earlier than we anticipate for any reason, your compensation may also be reduced accordingly. Please note, pay will be variable per pay period based on the part-time and full-time phases of the program. These policies are subject to variation based on specific circumstances.
Statement of Non-Discrimination:
In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination/harassment based on "protected categories," SMASH also strives to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at SMASH.