Advisor--The WireClippers Robotics Team

Job Description
Position Title: Stipended Advisor – The WireClippers FIRST Robotics Team
Location: Portsmouth High School
Reports To: Building Administration / Activities Director
Stipend Position

Position Summary

The Stipended Advisor for The WireClippers FIRST Robotics Team provides leadership, supervision, and coordination for the school's competitive robotics program. The advisor supports students in developing technical, leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills through participation in robotics design, engineering, programming, fabrication, outreach activities, and competition preparation.

The Wireclippers Robotics Team Advisor

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Student Development

• Organize, supervise, and facilitate all aspects of the robotics program
• Foster an inclusive, positive, and collaborative team culture
• Support student leadership development and encourage student ownership of projects and team operations
• Recruit and retain student participation across diverse backgrounds and skill levels
• Maintain appropriate student supervision during meetings, events, travel, and competitions

Robotics Team Operations

• Coordinate regular team meetings, build sessions, and practice schedules
• Support students in robot design, programming, fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting
• Coordinate participation in FIRST Robotics competitions and events
• Assist students with project planning, timelines, deadlines, and competition readiness
• Maintain team equipment, tools, supplies, and workspace organization

Competition & Event Coordination

• Organize logistics related to competitions, events, travel, and registration
• Coordinate transportation, permission forms, schedules, and communications related to team activities
• Supervise students during competitions, outreach events, and related activities

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Promote community partnerships and collaboration with mentors, volunteers, businesses, and industry partners
• Support outreach activities, demonstrations, recruiting efforts, and community engagement initiatives
• Assist with fundraising activities and sponsorship development as appropriate

Administrative Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly with students, families, school administration, mentors, and volunteers
• Manage team budgets, purchasing requests, and inventory as required by district procedures
• Maintain compliance with district policies, safety protocols, and extracurricular requirements

Qualifications

• Experience working with secondary students preferred
• Knowledge or experience in robotics, engineering, programming, fabrication, manufacturing, STEM education, or related fields preferred
• Ability to supervise students in hands-on project environments
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, community partners, and families

Time Commitment

This position requires work beyond the regular school day including after-school meetings, evenings, weekends, competition events, travel, and additional hours during robotics build and competition seasons.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to supervise students in classroom, workshop, and competition settings
• Ability to move equipment, tools, and materials associated with robotics activities
• Ability to stand, walk, and participate in extended events and competitions

Terms of Employment

This is a stipend position compensated according to district-approved extracurricular salary schedules and subject to district policies and procedures.