Information Technology Instructor

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

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

Benefits: 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: Senior Manager, Web and IT Pathway

Location(s): Modesto Center, with occasional travel to Stockton, as needed. Instructor roles are eligible for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of their first 90 days of employment and only during off-season programming seasons.

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 in the summer of 2024. 

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.
• 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 Modesto Center Director, the WIT Program Manager, and Programs VP.
• 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%)

• Build relationships with teachers, counselors at high schools and community colleges, as well as community leaders, to identify potential members interested in WIT and NEST Programs.
• Collaborate with the Modesto Hub and Programs team to create youth outreach activities, including participating in tabling events, delivering presentations in classrooms, and any other engagement opportunities.
• Work together with the Modesto Hub to organize site engagement events and take part in weekly check-in meetings to strategize recruitment and member engagement.
• Conduct IT themed, exciting, low-barrier-to-entry activities to expose youth participants to WIT content and spark their interest in participating in Information Technology.
• Offer essential youth development services to all members, encompassing guidance, mentorship, emotional support, and career advice.

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 (e.g. keeps calendars and other documentation up-to-date, attends mandatory meetings); proactively and promptly communicates problems with policies and procedures to the 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.
• Monitor NEST youth participants’ status and wellbeing and share observations with program staff. 
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years of cumulative 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. 
• At least 1-2 years of cumulative 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 experience mentoring, coaching, or case managing a group of at least 10 youth program participants.
• 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.

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. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization’s core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/SES and immigration status.
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA). 
• Occasionally participate in NEST evening and weekend programs; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events  
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a reliable, insured automobile. 
• Able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or 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.

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