Programs - Boston, Massachusetts 826 Boston seeks a dynamic, communicative, and flexible individual to serve as the Writers’ Room Program Assistant at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. We are seeking a candidate who can ensure reliable, robust support for students while also building on the current strengths of the O’Bryant Writers’ Room Team. These strengths include, engaging students in meaningful writing opportunities, supporting students’ social-emotional development, partnering with teachers to enhance the writing instruction in their classrooms, and curating meaningful creative writing and leadership opportunities for students. The John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, also known as the O’B, is a 7th-12th grade school in Roxbury with more than 1,500 students. It is one of three college preparatory public exam schools in Boston, which means that students must pass an admissions test or meet specific criteria to be admitted. The O’B was the site of the first 826 Boston Writers’ Room, which opened in 2013. Mission 826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life. Responsibilities The Writers’ Room Program Assistant will work 40 hours a week. Regular in-person hours are required. Applicants must be residing in Massachusetts and able to commute to the in-person location listed below, before the role starts. - In-Person Hours: Monday through Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM - In-Person Location: John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, 55 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120 - Remote Hours: Most Fridays. There are required all-team meetings, professional development, and tasks to complete on virtual Fridays. Programmatic Support - Serve as a tutor to students in grades 7-12 seeking writing support for class visits across all content areas (humanities and STEM); example assignments and publications include short-form text-based writing assignments, research papers, and college essays - Support students’ writing development through one-on-one conferences, small-group collaboration, whole-class instruction, and humanities clubs and workshops - Develop and lead 826 Boston-created programming, which can include stand-alone workshops, creative writing clubs, and publication projects. Example programming from this year includes our school-wide literary magazine and student newspaper - Assist with Writers’ Room volunteer coordination, including managing email communication and tracking attendance; leading pre-brief and debrief conversations; and planning and administering microtrainings - Support students in developing social-emotional learning skills and processing life experiences through writing and other mediums - Create and update wall programming including advocacy boards, writing contests, and student-facing opportunities - Develop a bimonthly newsletter that summarizes the program’s notable highlights and 826 Boston events - Assist with data collection, analysis, and results-sharing associated with the Writers’ Room Additional Responsibilities - Support organization-wide summer programming - Support additional responsibilities during short-term Writers’ Room Manager absences Qualifications The ideal candidate is a team player with a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of K-12 education, including adopting antiracist/anti-oppressive approaches, with a desire to work in a collaborative and inclusive culture, and a passion for youth empowerment through writing and publishing. 826 Boston recognizes that impostor syndrome and the confidence gap might prevent some applicants from applying. Few candidates will have all of the relevant experience listed below, but 826 Boston is committed to assessing candidates with transferable skills and a willingness to be trained for this role. Skills and Experiences - Experience tutoring, mentoring, or working with students in grades 7-12 in an urban setting - Ability to create engaging programming environments that encourage innovative, creative, and student-centered thinking - Demonstrated commitment to fostering community, building a strong sense of team, and embracing values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - Strong written and verbal communication skills - Proficiency in organizational, time management, project management, and resource management skills Salary and Benefits 826 Boston offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The salary for this position is $40,900 for 40 hours per week.
