Education Manager, JA Innovation Center @ Lawrence High School

Impact

JA of Greater Boston (JA) seeks an Education Manager to run the operation of the JA Innovation Center @ Lawrence High School (LHS). This role will serve two essential functions. The first essential function of this role is to lead the day-to-day operations of the JA Innovation Center @ Lawrence High School, a place that provides collaboration space, making equipment, and opportunities to bring in classes of all ages. In this space, the Education Manager will also lead workshops for students, educators, and staff on an array of design and prototyping topics. Daily operations of the JA Innovation Center @ Lawrence High School includes but are not limited to, overseeing the creation and implementation of safety and training protocols on all equipment, providing the training and supervision of JA students, JA staff, and LHS employees, tracking equipment use, scheduling and performing maintenance, and regulating access to areas throughout the space. The Education Manager will be expected to foster an environment of design, innovation, collaboration, psychological safety, and making that brings together various stakeholders from across the Lawrence community and will work closely with LHS staff to coordinate classes, events, and maintain cohesive use of the facility.

The second essential function is to serve as the education manager for all partnerships in Lawrence. This includes building and maintaining high quality relationships, delivering on programming requests, and building brand awareness with the stakeholders in schools within Lawrence. While a primary focus will be on high school programming, some middle school recruitment will be required for specialized events. It is important to note that this role is still evolving in its functions and responsibilities and requires someone who is willing to be nimble and help define the role in real-time.

This is a full-time role. During the academic year, this is an in-person role with hours that align with the Lawrence High School bell schedule and afterschool needs during the academic year and if/when programs are happening in the summer. During summers, school vacations, school holidays that JA does not observe, and snow days hybrid work is expected. The Education Manager will be supplied with a laptop and additional equipment to be able to work remotely comfortably, as needed. Must have reliable internet and transportation. Shared office space and a conference room(s) are available at JA’s Innovation Center @ RSM at 80 City Square in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston.

Primary Responsibilities:

• With LHS Pathways Coordinator, create opportunities for the space to be an extension of pathways courses, whereby teachers assign projects for their classes to be completed in the IC
• With LHS Pathways Coordinator, maintain schedule of classes using the center and possible open time for individuals to use the center during school and afterschool
• Maintain safety and supervise all usage of the lab/shop environment
• Maintain all equipment including Laser Cutters, Vinyl Cutters, 3D Printers, etc.
• Train students, JA Staff, and various LHS employees in the mandatory safety training course on all equipment as well as all additional advanced trainings for individual equipment
• Manage and track use of equipment and supplies for programming impact and budgeting purposes
• Manage events and classes held at the JA Innovation Center @ LHS
• Attend twice monthly in-person staff days and other major JA Events held outside of the JA Innovation Center @ LHS as scheduled. Ensure LHS administration & educators are aware of any changes to availability due to these events
• Develop, expand, and maintain school/community partnerships in Lawrence
- Create or update partnership plan and subsequent JA Certified School Agreement with high schools and community partners
- Become an expert in JA’s high school programs and curriculum
- Support teachers and volunteers to ensure quality of programs through training, regular phone calls, and in-person class visits to provide the highest level of customer service
- Ensure data is collected, organized, and shared with appropriate stakeholders, including JA staff
- Manage all record-keeping, including appropriate school, teacher, and volunteer data is captured and entered in BCRM in a timely manner
• Conduct work to produce high quality experiences and outcomes for all partners both internally and externally through attention to detail, a high level of organization and communication, and strategic, thoughtful, and innovative planning and implementation
• Work cross-collaboratively with colleagues to meet goals and fulfill funding obligations
• Collaborate with Development Team to complete grant proposals and grant reports
• Enthusiastically take on other assigned projects as necessary

Qualifications (required)

• Must have an entrepreneurial mindset, open to learning new things and willing to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks that support innovative and entrepreneurial experiences
• Relevant work experience in a makerspace or innovation center space strongly preferred; relevant work as an entrepreneur with experience using making equipment will also be considered
• Bachelor’s degree in education, engineering, or other fields related to the operation of a technical space preferred (Alternative relevant training or certification will also be considered)
• A demonstrated passion for hands-on education/hands-on making and creating (or equivalent experience)
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills
• A strong communicator: initiates discussions with their manager and colleagues to ensure consistency of practice & elevate needs of stakeholders and self quickly and concisely
• Strong organizational and time management skills; keen attention to detail and diligent follow through a must
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, as well as independently
• Success in coordinating, managing, problem-solving, and executing programs and projects
• Ability to work well in a highly collaborative team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
• Knowledge and experience with a CRM system, preferably Blackbaud (e.g. Raiser’s Edge); familiarity with Asana a plus
• Ability to work independently and virtually effectively is necessary
• Spanish language proficiency a plus

Application Process