About Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented but underserved middle school students on the path to college, while at the same time inspiring high school and college students to become educators. While ambitious in our goals, BTSV works: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates are accepted into four-year colleges and 74% of BTSV Teaching Fellows are inspired to pursue a career in education as a result of their summer experience.

Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s tuition-free program provides year-round out of school time academic support, advising, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom come from under-resourced communities and are first in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience in education by providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned education professionals.

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 24 Breakthrough sites across the country.

The Position

The Middle School Program Manager (MSPM) leads the implementation of programs for our middle school students to ensure they are prepared for success, academic and otherwise, in rigorous college preparatory high school programs. You’ll work closely with students and families as they navigate the middle school years and hold students to high academic and community standards to ensure they stay on track for college. The MSPM reports to the Director of Admissions and Middle School Programs (DAMSP).

During the school year, you’ll oversee BTSV’s after school program, maintaining an engaging, dynamic learning community. You’ll develop and deliver content focused on STEM-based problem-solving activities, high school transitions, and college-going behaviors and mindsets. And you’ll recruit and train volunteers to serve as additional facilitators. You’ll also plan occasional workshops and community-building events for students and families.

You’ll fine-tune BTSV’s academic advising services for Middle School students and own the collection of grades and other student data, while also providing 1:1 advising to a cohort of students from the Franklin-McKinley School District.

You’ll work with the DAMSP to plan for BTSV’s hallmark six-week middle school summer program. Over the summer, you’ll lead a site for 100+ students and manage a small team to create a positive and engaging learning culture and a supportive community. You’ll oversee day-to-day operations, serve as the primary point of contact for students and families, and partner with a Dean of Faculty to support BTSV’s Teaching Fellows as they execute our “students teaching students” model. You’ll also supervise BTSV’s summer program interns.

Throughout the year, you’ll work with the DAMSP to develop a programming calendar and create systems to evaluate and improve program effectiveness, particularly through analyzing student data. You’ll also build relationships with school district personnel to deepen our partnership in ways that will benefit BTSV, our students and families, and our school district partners.

What background and skills do you have?:

  • At least three to five years of experience at a youth development or educational organization, particularly one focused on college access for first-generation students and students of color

  • Ability to deliver workshops and engage with families in Spanish or Vietnamese

  • Experience developing engaging curricula, preferably for middle school students: both standards-aligned, project-based curricula, and social-emotional learning curricula that supports students’ growth

  • Experience with data collection and analysis, student assessment, and program evaluation

  • Strong project manager with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and delegate when needed while executing multiple time-sensitive priorities

  • Commitment to Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals as well as a passion for educational equity

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • Ability to pass FBI and California DOJ background checks

Bonus points if you’ve got:

  • Experience as a teacher or counselor, preferably at a middle school

  • Experience leading project teams and/or managing interns or other direct reports

  • Experience with Salesforce

We know that many strong candidates will not have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!

Location and Hours

BTSV is resuming in-person programming this fall, and the Middle School Program Manager will primarily work at our Franklin-McKinley School District office at Bridges Academy (1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122). Occasional travel to BTSV’s San Jose Unified School District office at Herbert Hoover Middle School (1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126) and other partner school sites in San Jose is also required.

BTSV is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation locally and will follow all state, county, city, and/or school district directives on PPE, social distancing, vaccination, and remote work. As of August 2021, our partner school districts require all individuals on campus to wear masks both indoors and outdoors, regardless of vaccination status, as well as provide proof of vaccination or submit to regular COVID-19 testing. BTSV will continue to comply with our partner school districts’ policies as they evolve.

As BTSV is an “out of school time program,” you can expect to work some early evenings during the school year and early mornings during the summer. You will also need to work occasional weekends to support program events.

Compensation and Benefits

  • This is a full-time, exempt position

  • Competitive compensation commensurate with experience

  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage plus life insurance

  • Retirement Benefits: 401(k) plan with immediate company match

  • Paid time off: 15 days plus 11 holidays and two “shut-down” weeks

  • Professional development fund for professional growth and learning opportunities

Application Process

Apply online through this site. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and we are committed to embracing diversity within our organization, including developing a team who represents the communities we serve.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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