Full Time: 100% FTE / 40 hours per week

Compensation Range: $20.19 - $23.00 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: Manager, Digital Arts and Technology Program

Location(s): Watsonville Center 3 days a week and Gilroy Center 2 days a week. 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 thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across The Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California by the end of 2026. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy and Modesto. The final Digital NEST Center is expected to launch in Stockton in the fall of 2024.

The Design Instructor will support the growth of the Digital Arts & Technology (DAT) pathway. This role entails developing and implementing training for the Design Concentration and instructing youth aged 17-24. Overall, this position recruits, instructs, advises, mentors, and coaches members in technical and professional skills development for the Design concentration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Delivery (60%)

• Plan and execute yearly programs in the Design concentration for the DAT pathway that can scale across all Digital NEST centers.
• Create, develop and implement Design curriculum in alignment with the bizzNEST program and industry standards. 
• Teach educational programs to train members in Web Design (60%), Graphic Design (40%); using your design principles and a variety of digital tools, including but not limited to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Canva, and Adobe Express. 
• Facilitate Design trainings to support youth in developing foundational skills in the field of Design that will prepare them for a career in web design or graphic design.
• Develop competency in the NEST-Ed Professional Skills curriculum and teach NEST-Ed professional skills to DAT youth members, program participants and job trainees.
• Assess the training outcomes of trainees and document and report this progress in writing.
• Track member engagement and career pathway goals throughout the year.
• Be on site at the Watsonville Center 3 days a week and 2 days a week at the Gilroy Center. 
• Prepare rooms and equipment for classes, workshops, and other learning activities.
• Support the Program Manager in monitoring industry trends and advancements to ensure curriculum remains cutting-edge, relevant to evolving job market demands, and aligned with larger programmatic goals. 
• Provide fundamental, positive youth development services to members, including: advising, mentoring, emotional encouragement and support, informal academic and career advising and instrumental assistance in career development and job placement.

Recruitment and Member Engagement (30%)

• Build relationships with teachers and counselors at high schools and community colleges, as well as community leaders, to identify potential members interested in DAT and Digital NEST Programs. 
• Identify prospective participants and cultivate member engagement in the DAT Program; maintain a student information system to track member participation and engagement. Produce reports as necessary.
• Collaborate with the Gilroy Hub team and DAT Pathway team to develop and execute youth outreach activities including participating in tabling events, delivering presentations in classrooms, and any other engagement opportunities.
• Assist in development and execution of engagement events in Watsonville and Gilroy as needed.
• Conduct low barrier, entry Design workshops to expose youth to the design concentration and create interest in the DAT pathway.
• Work collaboratively with other team members to coordinate and assist with recruitment for the DAT Pathway.

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.
• Serve as a role model for Members regarding career aspirations, becoming tech-savvy and social enterprise;  live by and uphold our work community’s values and codes of conduct.
• Participate in NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events. 
• Transport herself/himself to NEST facilities and to outreach locations.
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The equivalent of three years’ worth of formal experience in Web Design or Graphic Design; alternatively a bachelor degree or industry certification in Web Design or Graphic Design with the addition of a formal portfolio.
• At least 1 year of experience teaching or working with youth using culturally responsive experiential learning pedagogies and instructional methods. 
• Demonstrated ability to connect positively with youth aged 14-24; a positive, energetic and authentic presence. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with manager and coworkers across all departments.
• Ability to take initiative and ownership in regards to time management of assigned tasks.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

• A valid driver’s license and a reliable, insured automobile.

PREFERRED-BUT-NOT-REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual/Biliterate English and Spanish

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, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).   
• Must have a valid CA driver's license and be 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
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Flexible Work Schedule

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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