About Writopia Lab

Writopia Lab is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit that runs creative writing workshops, overnight programs, and events for kids and teens ages 4 to 18. Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for writers, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

Where We Write

Writopia Lab works with thousands of young writers every year—in our labs, in public and private schools, in homeless shelters, and in partnership with community based organizations around the country, as well as online and at our overnight programs.

About the Position

We are looking for a motivated all-rounder to join our operations team as an IT & Office Associate. This role has two distinct responsibilities: supporting Writopia Lab's IT needs and supporting the seamless operations of the offices and workshop spaces on the Upper West Side and Brooklyn. The person in this role will be feet on the ground support for the operations team, proactively maintaining office and lab spaces, providing IT support, packing and transporting supplies for our overnight programs and events, and offering broad general support as needs emerge.

Duties and Responsibilities

IT Associate (50%)

• Support and maintain Writopia Lab’s technical infrastructure including Wi-Fi network management, video security systems, and VoIP phone system
• Track the inventory, procurement, and maintenance of IT equipment, including approximately 500 educational Chromebooks
• Diagnose and resolve technical issues with internet connections, staff issued Windows laptops, chromebooks, workstation compatibility, and printers
• Monitor for and resolve any potential issues with the automated Google account creation process; ensure Google accounts are created timely and accurately for all workshop participants and staff
• Serve as the first point of contact for day to day IT support for full time and part time staff, including providing tech support during writing workshops with children and teens
• Onboard new hires and rehires with basic tech needs
• Give staff and workshop participants’ permissions and access to technology platforms
• Monitor Google support chat and respond to real-time staff requests
• Set up IT equipment and provide IT support for the annual two-week sleepaway camp, WriCampia

Office Associate (50%)

• Serve as the feet on the ground first point of contact for day to day technology and office needs for full time and part time staff
• Work closely with the Operations, Media, and Programs Associate, supporting as directed
• Coordinate maintenance and repairs to the spaces, including performing minor repairs and basic cleaning
• Track and order office and workshop supplies
• Support workshop operations including helping with check-in and check-out, printing written work during workshop, providing last minute needs for workshops
• Employ a creative vision for making workshop spaces warm and welcoming
• Clean and ready workshop spaces on a daily basis, including stocking snack drawers, clearing spaces of debris, organizing education and office supplies, keeping computers charged, and cleaning and inspecting bathrooms.
• Collect and distribute daily mail and packages delivered via USPS or other carrier; mail packages as needed
• Act as a primary point of contact in giving general assistance to employees, ensuring staff have the resources they need or escalating needs to manager
• Close the Upper West Side lab most days, including taking out garbage and checking all spaces before locking up
• Travel between the Upper West Side lab and Brooklyn and Westchester labs to transport supplies as needed (company minivan provided)
• Support overnight programs including coordinating, packing, and transporting supplies

Sleepaway Camp Duties (IT and Office Associate)

• Work on site at Writopia Lab’s two-week annual sleepaway camp
• Serve as a primary support for the Operations, Media, and Programs Associate in planning and carrying out operations before, during, and after camp
• Support the organization, inventory, packing, and transport of camp materials
• Coordinate with Program Managers to identify materials needed for camp
• Communicate closely with the Camp Directors to determine supplies to transport to camp
• Label and pack bins to transport
• Drive company or rental vehicle to and from Western Massachusetts to deliver supplies before and after camp
• While on site at camp:
  • Act as a primary point of contact with the staff at Camp Danbee; escalate tasks or concerns to the Camp Directors as necessary
  • Manage and carry out setting up events at camp, liaising with Camp Danbee staff
  • Organize and distribute materials for workshops and activities

Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Ability to be flexible, proactive, creative, and collaborative in performing a broad range of responsibilities
• Passion and enthusiasm for Writopia Lab’s mission as a youth-centered educational organization
• Adept with technology, ability and willingness to quickly learn new IT systems
• Knowledge of Google Workspace
• Knowledge of Chromebook and Windows laptop repair and maintenance
• Ability to perform basic repairs, maintenance, and cleaning of office and workshop spaces
• At least two years of work experience in IT, facilities, or office support, preferably in a service-oriented organization
• Experience working in an IT helpdesk capacity preferred
• Experience working in office environments collaborating on processes and procedures to ensure smooth operations
• Valid driver’s license and comfort with driving in the New York metro area
• Familiarity with using basic power tools
• Experience performing tasks connected to maintenance of spaces (basic plumbing, light fixture maintenance, general repairs)

Schedule & Location

This is an in-person position at our Upper West Side location in Manhattan. The work schedule is Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with occasional evening and weekend hours.

Compensation

Annual Salary of $52,000

Employer-Funded Benefits

• Medical Insurance (employer pays 98% of premium for primary plan, though other options are available)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401K plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program, Life Care-offers resources for managing your legal and financial affairs, care for elders, care for children, wellness
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days

Employee-Funded Benefits

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefit Account
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• MetLifeLegal Assistance

Applying for the Job

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to strengthen their writing skills, please apply! We require a cover letter with your application. Please be sure to include this. Please do not submit cover letters or other application materials generated by AI.

To find out more information regarding who we are and what we do here at Writopia Lab, please visit our website at www.writopialab.org.

The hiring process involves three interviews and a short on site exercise followed by a reference check.

Writopia Lab uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Writopia Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writopia Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.