Program Specialist, Technical Assistance

ExpandED is dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to enriching learning opportunities that affirm their identities, teach them valuable skills, and spark new possibilities. Through program development, capacity-building, research and advocacy, we work toward our vision of a vibrant and stable publicly-funded system of school-community partnership so that all New York City children thrive.

Established in 1998, the organization today reaches more than 119,000 children and 900 programs throughout New York City to ensure that students in under-served communities have access to innovative, engaging ways of learning to enable them to reach their full potential. Over the last two decades, ExpandED Schools’ program, research and policy efforts have led to increased recognition of the academic, social, and emotional benefits of afterschool, increased funding, and new models for school-community partnership. The pandemic further highlighted the importance of academic and SEL support as well as ExpandED’s vital function in providing high-quality learning activities.

Purpose of Position

The Program Specialist, reporting to the Program Manager, supports the facilitation of trainings and related administrative tasks in connection with ExpandED Schools’ Technical Assistance (TA) contract with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD). The contract supports DYCD-funded after-school programs and service providers in their ongoing use of the DYCD Connect database. A wide range of community-based programs – such as after-school programs, community centers, literacy & immigrant service providers, crisis shelters, and neighborhood safety programs – use DYCD Connect for day-to-day data entry and reporting as a condition of their DYCD funding. This role supports DYCD providers in entering required data into DYCD Connect.

DYCD Connect has recently undergone a significant system upgrade, affecting data entry practices and site navigation for providers citywide. ExpandED Schools is responsible for delivering virtual (online) trainings and live demos, as well as updating associated training materials, user guides, and video tutorials. The Program Specialist will play a critical role in facilitating virtual trainings for providers across the DYCD network.

In addition, the Specialist will build relationships with DYCD stakeholders to ensure providers register for learning experiences and have access to resources following each training session. The ideal candidate will have prior experience facilitating trainings on complex topics for non-technical audiences.

This is a full-time position that is funded through at least June 30, 2027. The ideal candidate has experience facilitating training on IT and data related topics.

Duties & Responsibilities

Training Facilitation

• • Co-facilitate beginner- to intermediate-level data management trainings for community-based organizations funded by DYCD
  • Contribute to training development and planning meetings with the Data/IT Management leads

User Guide Development

• • Develop and revise DYCD Connect user guides to explain data entry procedures and provide screenshots illustrating system navigation
  • Incorporate feedback and revisions requested from DYCD

Administrative Tasks

• • Coordinate training registration by creating registration forms and sending calendar invites
  • Collect and upload training registration and attendance data to internal trackers
  • Respond to requests for technical assistance from DYCD Connect users
  • Participate in meetings with stakeholders from DYCD
  • Perform other tasks as needed and directed by supervisor

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field with 1-3 years of facilitation experience (e.g. lectures, teaching, public information sessions, etc.)
• Experience and/or interest in leading technical trainings on data management systems
• Experience with virtual training platforms (WebEx, Zoom, Teams, etc.)
• Strong data quality, reporting, & analytic skills. Familiarity with databases and working with large data sets
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office Applications (Excel, Powerpoint)
• Interest + experience in youth development, after-school, and/or education a plus
• Strong cultural competence with respect for and knowledge of the cultures of stakeholders we work with and communities we serve

Location: Our organization follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed. Leaders of teams may call team members together for in-person meetings in the office when they reasonably believe that the work will be more productive and/or efficient if completed through in-person collaboration, and all full-time employees are expected to attend bi-monthly all-staff meetings at the office.

ExpandED Schools offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Our benefits package includes:

• Full-time and eligible part-time employees receive medical, dental and vision plans for employees and dependents, largely subsidized by ExpandED Schools
• Health, dependent care and transit pre-tax accounts
• Employer-paid life insurance and supplemental disability coverage
• A generous paid time off package which includes 24 vacation days, 8 sick days, and 13 paid holidays (prorated for part-time staff and temporary positions)
• 403b retirement plan with eligibility for employer contribution of 5% of annual compensation after one year of employment (no match requirement)
• Commitment to work-life balance
• Partial tuition reimbursement offered to employees after six months of service
• Professional development opportunities, including funds to participate in external training and coaching opportunities

ExpandED Schools believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. ExpandED Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.