Program Assistant, Seasonal

Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA)

Location: Philadelphia, PA (In-person)

Employment Type: Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $30.00 per hour

Reports To: Site Lead

About the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED)

The Center for Black Educator Development exists to rebuild the national Black Teacher Pipeline in service of a clear vision: a world where all Black students have access to high-quality Black educators throughout their PreK–12 education, and where educator preparation, pedagogy, and policies that advance equity and effectiveness are fully institutionalized. We are unapologetically committed to educational justice and racial equity by increasing the presence, effectiveness, and retention of Black educators. Our work centers Black students, families, and educators by designing liberatory pathways into teaching, investing in sustainable program models, and advocating for systems-level change that endures beyond individual programs or classrooms.

Position Summary

The Program Assistant is a seasonal, in-person operational support role within CBED’s Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA), a five-week summer apprenticeship program that prepares high school– and college-aged aspiring educators while providing high-quality literacy intervention and enrichment to elementary school scholars.

Reporting to the Site Lead, the Program Assistant supports the strong implementation and day-to-day operations of FSLA by ensuring site systems run smoothly and that scholars, families, apprentices, and staff experience a safe, organized, and affirming program environment. This role requires strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, youth-centered setting.

Core Accountabilities

• Site Operations & Program Fidelity

Support daily site operations and systems to ensure FSLA programming is implemented with consistency, structure, and fidelity.

• Scholar, Staff, & Family Experience

Contribute to a welcoming, well-organized environment that supports positive experiences for scholars, families, apprentices, and staff.

• Attendance & Data Tracking

Support accurate tracking of scholar and staff attendance and contribute to strategies that promote strong participation.

• Family Engagement & Communication
• Support clear, consistent communication with families and assist with family engagement activities.
• Operational Problem-Solving & Support

Assist in identifying operational challenges and implementing solutions that support program success.

Key Responsibilities

• Support daily site operations, including arrival, attendance, snack, lunch, dismissal, instruction, enrichment, and transitions.
• Assist with management of staff and scholar attendance tracking and co-develop plans to support strong attendance outcomes.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with scholars, families, onsite staff, school-based liaisons, and host district partners.
• Co-lead, plan, and execute family engagement activities, including supporting development and distribution of a weekly family newsletter.
• Support planning and execution of field trips in collaboration with the Site Lead and Program Operations Manager.
• Support enrichment specialists and ensure quality afternoon programming for scholars.
• Manage site inventory of learning materials and technology, including tablets, laptops, and instructional supplies.
• Assist in identifying programmatic challenges and support implementation of improvement strategies.
• Participate in required training and preparation activities prior to and during the summer program.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support FSLA operations and program success.

Leadership & Cultural Expectations

CBED leaders are expected to model the organization’s core beliefs, leadership competencies, and values by centering justice, demonstrating operational discipline, and leading with clarity, accountability, and care. Leaders are responsible for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams; engaging in continuous learning and reflection; and building systems that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with CBED’s mission. Leaders are also expected to demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills, and to partner effectively across teams and stakeholders in ways that produce measurable outcomes and sustain the people doing the work.

Qualifications

• High school diplomarequired.
• Experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and data tracking systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with high attention to organization and time management.
• Interest in and ability to work effectively as part of an intergenerational and multicultural team.
• Demonstrated ability to give and receive clear, affirming, and constructive feedback.
• Engages inongoing reflection on professional practice with attention to both outcomes and processes.
• Results-oriented, adaptable, and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Upholdshigh standardsof professionalism, integrity, accountability, reliability, and respectful communication.
• Strong alignment with FSLA’s instructional model and CBED’s mission, vision, and core values.

Working at CBED

CBED offers meaningful, justice-driven professional experiences that support leadership development, skill-building, and career exploration in education. We affirm racial identity, value lived experience, and believe justice-driven work must be both excellent and sustainable.