Full-Time: 40 hours a week, 100% FTE

Pay Rate: $21.50 – $22.20 per hour, non-exempt

Benefits Overview: Medical, vision, dental and life insurance, vacation and sick time off, paid federal holidays, and retirement plan (See full job description for more details).

Organization Size: 50 employees

Reports to: Web & IT Program Manager

Location(s): Gilroy (primarily), Salinas and Watsonville (as needed)

JOB OVERVIEW

Digital NEST is a workforce development center that has welcomed hundreds of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. The NEST is proud to be a great place to get your career started and/or to expand your career to the next level. It is an exciting time to join the NEST as we are on the precipice of expanding to a total of five communities across Northern California by the end of 2023. Digital NEST has centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto and soon to launch in Stockton.

The IT Instructor position is dedicated to supporting the growth of the Web & Information Technology (WIT) pathway. This role entails developing, implementing, and instructing young individuals aged 17 to 24 in Information Technology concentration. The primary objective of this concentration is to prepare these youth to embark on careers as IT Support Specialist, Computer Technicians, and obtain industry recognized certifications. The IT Instructor position is multifaceted and includes responsibilities such as recruiting, instructing, advising, mentoring, and coaching members. These activities are aimed at fostering technical and professional skills development within the WIT concentrations, achieved through a diverse array of projects in collaboration with WIT partners and member projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development and Delivery (60%)

• Plan yearly programs in Information Technology concentration for the WIT pathway that synergize across centers (Gilroy, Watsonville and Salinas).
• Develop training outlines and curriculum to use in teaching of IT Support that reasones with IT certifications such as COMPTIA using industry standard technologies to support instruction.
• Implement curriculum and instructional training/educational programs in all centers. Including a weekly lab session in each Digital NEST center.
• Prepare rooms and equipment for classes, workshops, and other learning activities.
• Work with Program team, TAs and volunteers to successfully simulcast training to Salinas and Watsonville; ensure that trainees at the remote site have adequate and effective in-person learning support.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of members progress and report this progress to the Gilroy Center Director, the WIT Program Manager, and Programs Director.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities to members.
• Hold youth trainees accountable for their behavior during training by establishing and teaching behavioral standards and providing coaching and feedback in accordance with the NEST-Ed soft skills curriculum.
• Provide fundamental positive youth development services to all youth trainees, including: advising, mentoring, emotional encouragement and support, informal academic and career advising and instrumental assistance in career development and job placement.
• Implement activities/content designed to showcase WIT trainees’ work to other Members, parents and community members to cultivate engagement.

Member Engagement and Recruitment (30%)

• Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities by identifying different instructional resources and methods to meet members’ varying needs.
• In collaboration with the Gilroy hub team, develop activities, and coordinate logistics for site career development field trips/events; chaperone field trips as needed.
• Identify, build relationships with and cultivate engagement of youth NEST Members in center programs.
• In collaboration with Gilroy hub and Programs team participate in youth outreach and engagement, provide advising, mentoring, tutoring and informal near-to-peer counseling.
• Create a connection with members of the community through in person events, email contact and helping them understand/register into NEST pathways/Career Exploration.
• Conduct IT-themed, exciting, low-barrier-to-entry activities to expose youth participants to WIT content and spark their interest in participating in the IT concentration.

Key Member of the Digital NEST Program Team (10%)

• Represent the NEST in a professional, constructive and compelling manner to stakeholders at meetings, on social media, at public events and in media products or written publications.
• Provide general support to fundraising efforts expected of all staff: showcase members and member work, speak articulately about programming and be a model representative and evangelist for Digital NEST in the community.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures (eg keeps calendars and other documentation up-to-date, attends mandatory meetings); proactively and promptly communicates problems with policies and procedures to supervisor.
• Contribute to the agenda for, attend, and actively participate in weekly program management meetings.
• Serve as a role model for Members regarding career aspirations, becoming tech-savvy and engaging in social enterprise.
• Live by, and uphold our work community’s values and codes of conduct; proactively provide co-workers with praise for good work and with constructive criticism aimed at performance improvement.
• Participate in NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events.
• Transport themselves to NEST facilities and to outreach locations; occasionally transport NEST youth to programs/events.
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor.
• Monitor NEST youth participants’ status and wellbeing and share observations with program staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

WIT Career Training

• The cumulative equivalent of at least 1 year of full-time experience doing IT in a professional or educational setting; alternately a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent industry certifications in IT, CIS or Computer Science.
• Working knowledge of operating systems, hardware, troubleshooting, networking or any other IT related experience.
• The cumulative equivalent of at least 1-2 years of full-time experience teaching youth using experiential learning pedagogies and instructional methods. Ideally, this experience would have been in an organization or program similar to Digital NEST in terms of the kinds of programs offered and the kinds of youth served.
• Excellent classroom management skills, preferably learned or previously applied in an out-of-school program setting.
• Basic knowledge of instructional design, including course planning, lesson planning, learning goal and objective writing, and use of learning scaffolds such as visual aids, graphic organizers, assignment and project write-ups, etc.
• Demonstrated qualities of flexibility and adaptability in teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to connect positively with youth; a positive, energetic, and authentic presence.
• Demonstrated experience working with a team to coordinate a youth program with multiple, concurrent components.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.

Member Engagement

• Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching, or case managing a group of at least 10 youth program participants.
• Beginning-level group facilitation skills.
• Beginning-level conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated qualities of flexibility and adaptability in doing direct youth service.

General Qualifications

• Beginning-level knowledge of strategies to engage diverse, under-represented and vulnerable youth populations in technology learning and career development. Such populations include but are not limited to: women, Latinx, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals (LGBTQIA).
• A growth mindset.
• High level of focus and productivity.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks for self and staff across multiple responsibilities.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.
• Culturally sensitive to Latinx culture, especially Chicanx/Mexicanx culture and youth subculture(s).
• Sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race [sic], gender, sexual identity, class/SES and immigration status.
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable, insured automobile.
• Must pass a fingerprint background check.

PREFERRED-BUT-NOT-REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Conversational or fluent in spoken Spanish; fluent in written Spanish.
• Experience in creating technical resumes and experience in or knowledge of successful technical interview strategies.
• Expert-level instructional design or curriculum development skill set.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All individuals hired to work at Digital NEST must be able to uphold our core set of values that allow us to nurture the full potential in the youth we serve, in our community, in our colleagues and in ourselves. Please, review our organizational values by visiting our website: digitalnest.org.
• Be an evangelist for: a) the NEST values and mission, b) the positive aspects of communities in Gilroy, Watsonville and Salinas
• Provide the general support to NEST fundraising efforts expected of all staff by: speaking articulately and accurately about how we accomplish our mission
• Follow organizational policies and procedures (e.g. keeps calendars and other documentation up-to-date, attends mandatory meetings); proactively and promptly communicates problems with policies and procedures to supervisor
• Serve as a positive role model for Members, especially in relation to holding others in positive regard, mutual respect social enterprise, career aspirations and becoming tech-savvy; live by and enforce the community code of behavior
• Proactively provide co-workers with praise for work done well and with constructive criticism aimed at performance improvement
• Occasionally participate in NEST evening and weekend programs; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events
• Transport themself to NEST facilities and to outreach locations
• Maintain dexterity and coordination, sufficient to perform essential functions.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time performing desk-based computer tasks.
• The ability to be mobile (including, but not limited to walking, bending, squatting, crouching, twisting, kneeling, reaching, etc.).
• Ability to lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 35 pounds as needed.

NOTE: The job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion and passing of a background check.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS: We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 2% employer match
• 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (non-Director and non-Chief positions)
• 15 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (Director and Chief positions)
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Paid Sick Time Off
• Annual Parking Permit

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment. We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we’re looking for. We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem-solving and more creative thinking, so we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Digital NEST, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Digital NEST is committed to an inclusive experience for all applicants and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations in the interview process, to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

Please refer to our career page for more information on how to apply for reasonable accommodations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.50 - $22.21 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• After school
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• IT: 1 year (Required)
• Teaching: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Gilroy, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person