Academy - Academic Coordinator; Berkeley

Position: 2026 SMASH Academy - Academic Coordinator (Berkeley)
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

3.28.2026 (National, Virtual)

SMT Training

4.4.2026 - 4.6.2026 (National, Virtual)

Staff Training

6.29.2026 - 7.3.2026 (National, Virtual)

7.7.2026-7.11.2026 (Site-specific, In-Person)

SMASH Academy

7.13.2026-7.31.2026 (Site-specific, In-Person + Virtual)

Virtual Close Out

7.30.2026

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,…