Member Specialist, Watsonville Center

Position Type: Full-time, 40hrs per week

Compensation Range: $20.00 – $22.00 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).

Location: Watsonville Center, On-Site Position, Monday through Friday (with occasional weekend availability)

 

JOB OVERVIEW:

Digital NEST is a workforce development center that has welcomed hundreds 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 as we are on the precipice of expanding to a total of five communities across Northern California by the end of 2026. Digital NEST has centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, and Gilroy. The first Digital NEST in the Central Valley is expected to launch in Stockton in 2023, with plans to scale across the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley also underway.

 

The Member Specialist is a critically important position responsible for coordinating and implementing a variety of activities to recruit, engage, and advise youth as members of the Digital NEST. The Member Specialist is responsible for ensuring that members successfully enter into Digital NEST program pathways and experience opportunities for continuous growth and development leading to job or internship placement.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment (40%)

• Coordinate the implementation of the regional recruitment plan at assigned site:Develop and maintain outreach and recruitment toolkit
• Utilize diverse recruitment tactics including but not limited to: classroom presentations, email and phone call outreach, and web based campaigns, to increase local membership and meet annual member recruitment targets
• Document all recruitment activities and analyze their effectiveness using key performance indicators
• Make recommendations for improved recruitment and retention tactics and strategies
• Under the leadership of the Chief Program Officer, maintain collaboration with local K-12 school site, higher education, and community based partners to promote member recruitment:Identify key partners and stakeholders such as teachers and counselors who can refer youth to the Digital NEST
• Leverage relationships with key stakeholders to develop targeted opportunities to connect with prospective members
• Provide regular written communication to partners and stakeholders regarding program offerings and opportunities for youth to participate in the Digital NEST
• Maintain clear and comprehensive records of all member recruitment, retention, and engagement activities:Document all activities, presentations, and workshops including memorializing all curriculum and presentation materials, workshop and course outlines, etc.
• Conduct participant data collection such as electronic attendance methods and participant surveys
• Maintain and update the student information system (Salesforce) and learning management system with membership participation and advising data
• Submit periodic qualitative and quantitative reports regarding activities and outcomes:Conduct ongoing analysis of membership recruitment and retention trends
• Develop and share written and verbal reports regarding membership recruitment and retention of members with other departments within the organization
• Responsible for timely submission of monthly membership status report
• Participate in and contribute to site, program, and regional level meetings focused on membership recruitment and engagement.

Member Engagement and Retention (30%)

• Act as a liaison between prospective and current members and the NEST
• Conduct regular parent/guardian communication and create opportunities for parent/guardian engagement at the NEST: Provide updates to parents regarding program activities and opportunities using telephone, email, text, and social media
• Contact parents/guardians of minor students
• Develop and implement a parent/guardian orientation program for new members
• Conduct site specific seasonal open house and showcase for parents/guardians and family members
• Support the Site Manager in creating a safe and welcoming space for members, guests and visitors:Monitor member use of the NEST facility and encourage and maintain appropriate behavior
• Facilitate member engagement through impactful program activities
• Plan and facilitate a regularly occurring seasonal calendar of community-building activities and events
• Implement Career Development workshops using existing career development “launchpad” curriculum :Implement a structured series of career development workshops to support active members in their growth each season
• Provide occasional career development workshops to youth participating in external programs on a fee for service basis
• Implement a more casual series of highly engaging exposure workshops that are low commitment for newer members
• Develop and maintain excellent working knowledge of community resources available to better support Digital NEST youth and families
• With input from the program managers, help identify opportunities for volunteers to support activities

Member Advising  (25%)

• Develop and implement a structure for regularly occurring one-to-one and small group advising sessions to lead members towards deepened engagement in one of the Digital NEST program areas by:Advising and assessing their personal and career interests
• Intentionally creating a positive social environment and a community of learners
• Delivering targeted information at key milestones along member journey
• Collaborate with the Front Desk Staff to continuously maintain member records within the student information system: Monitor and track member participation records
• Document in writing all periodic advising sessions
• Utilize and interpret data to provide ongoing case management to ensure member growth and development
• Connect members with community engagement opportunities such as volunteer opportunities, internships, and training opportunities

Other (5%)

• Provide general support to fundraising efforts expected of all staff: showcase members and member work, and be a model representative for Digital NEST in the community
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual/Biliterate English and Spanish
• The equivalent of at least three years worth of full-time, formal experience in a field related to youth experiential education, leadership training or youth career development.
• The equivalent of at least two years of full-time, formal experience in a coordination role.
• Demonstrated ability to connect positively with youth from diverse backgrounds and facilitate youth development workshops and activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent public speaking skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a related field

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, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).
• Must have a valid CA driver’s license, reliable mode of transportation, 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

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 also 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.