Front Desk Associate

ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROJECT:

The Possible Project (TPP) is a multi-year, youth entrepreneurship program offering students exciting project-based experiences:

• the creation and running of student-directed, passion-based ventures 
• hands-on experiences within TPP Social Enterprises
• work-based learning opportunities through internships and fellowships  
• learning about and use of high-technology maker equipment, such as laser cutters, 3-D printers and clothing printers/presses
• personalized college and/or career advising

The spirit of entrepreneurship grounds students’ experiences, igniting their passions, inspiring creativity, and providing opportunities to engage in design-thinking, problem-solving, and build self-efficacy. Throughout their TPP journey, high school students work with dedicated educators, advisors, peers, and field experts; earn stipends; design products and services in a state-of-the-art makerspace; attend pitch panels and marketplaces; build and apply essential skills, mindsets, and social capital; and explore the exciting opportunities that exist post-high school.  Students have fun learning, growing and interacting with peers as they design their futures.  

TPP is in its second decade of operations, having served nearly 1000 students in the greater Boston area. The organization employs 30 professionals with plans to grow significantly in Boston over the next 4 years, as well as other cities beyond 2025. TPP offers a strong professional development ethos, a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, innovative curriculum & pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact. Importantly, TPP is highly committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. 

ABOUT THE INNOVATION CENTER:

Opening in the fall of 2021, TPP's Innovation Center at 31 Heath Street in Boston, in the heart of the Jackson Square community, will feature tech-enabled classrooms, lively design and collaboration spaces, a professional makerspace with state-of-the-art equipment, multi-media studios, offices for partner organizations, community meeting and event space, and quiet spaces for thinking and creation. The building will also serve as TPP’s new headquarters, bringing together leadership, staff, operations, and programs under one roof, and leaving lots of room to grow. 

In our new space, TPP will grow our enrollment to reach a goal of reaching up to 1,000 students per year within the next five years.  The Possible Project’s vision is that TPP’s Innovation Center will serve students from multiple Boston high schools through year-round programming, and will also serve as an important contributor to an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the community, becoming a catalyst for education, employment, job training, and post-secondary pathways for high school students and young adults, and for the surrounding community.  In addition to hosting the TPP youth program, the Innovation Center may house and support local businesses, which in turn could provide job and internship opportunities to The Possible Project’s students, alumni and other community members. The Innovation Center will also house meeting and office space for community organizations, host co-working and/or incubator space, and potentially be a center for teaching advanced manufacturing in its in-house makerspace and advanced manufacturing facility.  

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Front Desk Associate serves as the face of TPP and the Innovation Center, greeting students, visitors, staff members, and tenants, and providing them with information as needed. This person is the first line of communication when stakeholders, including parents and other community members, call or visit TPP.  This person will also be responsible for managing the front entry to the building, including managing the flow of students and visitors, and making sure all building users are checked-in and registered. The hours for this role will be 11am-7pm to accommodate our after-school programming for high school students.  This role will also require occasional Saturday hours.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet all visitors to the Innovation Center, as well as students, staff and tenants, and ensure that the Innovation Center is a welcoming environment for all.
• Manage the front entrance to the building, including:
  • Screening, “buzzing in,” and registering all visitors
  • Ensuring all badged building users scan in through the SPLAN building management system, and that visitors are connected with and escorted by the TPP staff member or tenant they are visiting.
  • Responding to visitor questions
• Ensuring that all building users and visitors are adhering to standards of behavior in the building lobby, and that visitors are remaining in areas of the building where they are permitted
• In partnership with others at TPP, managing “traffic flow” in the lobby during high-traffic times, such as the start of daily programming or lead up to events.
• Leading or assisting with event registration and supporting use of the Innovation Center community space by partner organizations
• Overseeing/managing conference room and community space reservations
• Serving as a key member of TPP’s Operations Team, with the COO, Chief of Staff Operations Manager and others, contributing to team-wide efforts and representing the operations function within the organization

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in reception-type roles, particularly in high-traffic environments
• Familiarity with the Jackson Square community, its assets and dynamics, as well as with other nearby Boston neighborhoods and high schools
• Experience working with high school students and families
• Strong verbal communication skills, and demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced environments
• Passion for youth development and education, and belief in the power of young people to pursue and achieve their highest aspirations
• Commitment to live the values of Diversity, Equity and inclusion (see Statement below)

Compensation & Benefits:

TPP offers a competitive total rewards package including compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities.

DEI STATEMENT:

We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth, success and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff and communities, their life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) — and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.

We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities and lived experience is a strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve. Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be themselves.

We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Project community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.

Covid Vaccination Policy

The Possible Project is requiring that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.

In order to be qualified for employment at The Possible Project, final candidates must comply with the vaccination requirement or receive an approved exemption.