Operations Coordinator
Organization Vision: uAspire imagines a day when all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential by graduating from college, regardless of their families’ financial resources or college experiences.
Organization Summary: uAspire is a national leader in providing college affordability services to young people, families, and college access and success practitioners. By 2022, uAspire’s strategic plan aims to impact the lives of 3,000,000 young people through:
- Student Advising: In person and over text, we support students one-on-one to maximize financial aid, minimize loan debt, and make informed financial decisions about the best post-secondary option for them.
- Training: Online and in-person we provide professional development for school counselors and college access providers, sharing our expertise so they can effectively support their students.
- Policy & Systems Change: To level the playing field for young people from all economic backgrounds, we work to improve financial aid systems so everyone has a chance to graduate with a degree they can afford.
Position Summary:
The challenges of college affordability have never been more pronounced, and uAspire’s expertise – built over 30+ years of practice – has never been more needed across and communities nationwide. The Operations Coordinator plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all staff across the country have the space, technology, and operational supports to succeed. This role is based out of uAspire’s Oakland, CA office.
Reporting to the Director of Technology, the Operations Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the technological and operational systems that support our staff. This individual will work proactively and independently while collaborating closely with staff across uAspire departments and locations. This position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven individual to work in an entrepreneurial non-profit and to deepen their experience in non-profit operations. The right candidate will be a proactive learner and problem-solver, but need not possess prior experience in the areas of responsibility detailed below.
Key Responsibilities:
Information Technology: (70%)
Leverage the support of our external IT vendor to:
- Maintain and manage uAspire’s office and staff technology systems – including internet, phones, webcams, printers, computers, laptops, Google Voice, cell phones, and wireless devices – and ensure that technology issues are appropriately addressed and resolved in a timely manner. This includes in-person support for office and staff technology in our Bay Area office, remote support for staff in our Boston, New York and Philadelphia offices, and several other remote locations.
- Review and vet new vendors as needed to maintain high quality service at competitive costs
- Train staff on use of uAspire technology, including new staff orientations and trainings on new technologies as needed
- Manage all technology and facilities elements of staff onboarding and offboarding to ensure that new hires and departing staff have a smooth transition
Facilities Management: (20%)
- Manage inventory and office supply ordering for all uAspire offices
- Communicate with Oakland building management on facilities issues and needs, and work with staff in uAspire locations outside of Oakland to ensure office management and facilities needs are met. For facilities issues in the Boston office that require an on-the-ground presence, collaborate with the Boston-based Finance & Operations Manager to resolve
- Support Senior VP of Finance & Operations with long-term facilities and space planning projects, including leasing and office improvement projects as needed
Other: (10%)
- Work closely with other members of the Finance & Operations team to ensure uAspire’s compliance with all federal, state and city regulations, including managing relevant filings and registrations
- Help improve our tech and facilities infrastructure by providing project management assistance or leadership (depending on experience) for new organization-wide policies and systems
Qualifications
- Committed to Equity – has a passion for working and participating in an organization dedicated to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment
- Attention to Detail – work is consistently free of errors or omissions and mistakes are identified and resolved
- Follow-Through and Communication – consistently delivers on commitments made, takes responsibility for success or failure in their areas of work, is responsive to feedback, and uses clear written and in-person communication to keep others informed of progress and challenges
- Collaboration – maintains a positive and approachable attitude, builds and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external partners, and has a customer service mindset and finds satisfaction in supporting others to do their best work
- Organization and Adaptability – able to keep track of and balance many competing priorities to adjust priorities quickly as new needs arise
- Resourceful Problem-Solver – seeks out the information required to answer questions and solve problems, pushes forward and finds creative solutions
- Comfort with Technologies – able to utilize and adapt new and existing technology to meet organizational needs, including a high proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience and education. All full-time employees receive a competitive benefits package.