Work at NBSS

NBSS is a highly regarded nonprofit learning institution that offers a welcoming and collaborative environment in Boston’s North End. We’re small but ambitious, supporting the School’s mission to help students achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods.

As we build on the School’s legacy of fine craftsmanship, we seek positive, dynamic individuals who share our dedication to innovation, excellence, and superior customer service.

View open positions below.

Summary

North Bennet Street School (NBSS), a traditional trades career training school in Boston, seeks an experienced Director of Student Support & Career Services.
 
Working closely with and reporting to the Provost, the Director of Student Support & Career Services is the primary liaison between enrolled students, staff, faculty, alumni, and industry employers, serving as a resource and support for all members of a diverse student body. The position focuses on student success, for enrolled students and alumni. During the academic year, this is a full-time in-person position, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. Some flexibility in the hours may be possible. The summer months offer additional flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement.
 
The ideal candidate is an active listener, who will champion our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and has the ability to coach adults of varying learning styles and experience.
 
The salary range for the Director of Student Success & Career Services is $66,800-$83,500 commensurate with experience. Health, retirement, and other benefits are available.

Essential Job Functions

Student Support
  • Provide resources and support for incoming and current students including housing, health and wellness, community, and student groups.
  • Develop and grow community partnerships to support wellness including mental and physical health referrals and programs.
  • Assist the Provost and Faculty with student wellness checks, attendance issues, academic accommodations, and Title IX and Code of Conduct issues.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for student COVID-19 policies, concern, processes, and data collection.
  • Represent the School and its inclusive and supportive student services program to outside groups including affinity groups, community groups, and other agencies and institutions.
  • Plan and host social events for students, including the annual Holiday Party & Raffle.
  • Guide student affinity groups and plan events to build community among students.
  • Serve as a member of the Faculty-Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and the Health + Safety Response Team.
Career Services
  • Manage and maintain ACCSC accreditation standards and requirements regarding graduate employment and reporting.
  • Develop and maintain an employment outreach program and job database including commissions.
  • Develop and provide career-centered networking opportunities, resume development, and resources for developing interview and job search skills.
  • Provide job placement assistance to graduating students and alumni.
  • Coordinate professional networking events including, but not limited to, trade shows such as CraftBoston Holiday and Providence Fine Furnishings.
  • Administer the Student/Alumni Portal on the NBSS website and the central database.
Alumni Engagement
  • Serve as liaison to alumni.
  • Develop strategies and programs to engage alumni with the school community.

Experience and Skills

  • Ability to demonstrate a strong, positive attitude and image of the School through a display of courtesy, congeniality, cooperation, respect, sensitivity, and professionalism.
  • Commitment to strengthening the school’s climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Ability to recognize, address and proactively solve common student-related problems found within the higher education environment.
  • Experience with wellness, counseling, and mental health first aid a plus.
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills.
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
  • Experience developing and maintaining career planning/services programs and databases.
  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years student services, counseling, career services, and community building.
  • Experience with craft or vocational training is also helpful.
  • Technological proficiency required in: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, database use, smartphone use.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

  • Close work (paperwork, visual examination).
  • Walking, standing for long periods, and bending.
  • Ability to sit at a computer for long periods of time.
  • Ability to move through the building quickly.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter, resume to HR@nbss.edu with the subject line Director of SSCS no later than January 30, 2024.

Date posted: January 3, 2024

Summary

America’s first trade school, North Bennet Street School (NBSS) is a highly regarded learning institution that offers a welcoming and collaborative environment in Boston’s historic North End. Fostering individual growth and curiosity, along with technical mastery and a commitment to excellence, we’re small but ambitious, focused on our mission to help students achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods in applied crafts and skilled trades.

The NBSS Controller serves as the primary financial manager for North Bennet Street School. The Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations of a budget of $8M/$28M endowment and will hold functional responsibility for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, managing financial aid and grants administration, and developing sound financial planning. The Controller will ensure that North Bennet Street School has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits.

The Controller, who reports to the Senior Director of People and Operations, will serve as a key advisor to the School’s President and work closely with the Board of Directors and its committees (most commonly the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Investment Committee) to develop and implement sound financial planning. This is a terrific position for an experienced financial expert to join a mission-driven, creative, and dedicated team of faculty and administrators.

The Controller role is a full-time exempt hybrid position offering a starting salary range of $98,000 to $123,000 annually, commensurate on experience. NBSS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including health and life insurance, STD, LTD, retirement plan and more!

Essential Job Functions

Financial Reporting & Fiduciary Responsibilities
  • In close collaboration with the President, Board of Directors, and NBSS leadership develop an annual budget for the operations of the School and its’ programs.
  • Manage outsourced functions (banking, credit card processing, investment, 403 b Plan Administration).
  • In conjunction with the President, act as fiduciary for the North Bennet Street School 403b Retirement Plan, including filing of annual IRS Form 5500.
  • Interface with outside auditors and tax professionals to produce all required tax returns and financial statements, including 1098-T for students.
  • Monitor and satisfy compliance requirements across the School, including local, state, federal, and accreditation reporting requirements.
  • Manage records of the NBSS Endowment, including the pooled endowment fund, annual spending policy calculation, and endowment unitization.
Accounting Functions
  • Perform all month-end close procedures.
  • Make monthly budget reports available to all department heads.
  • Ensure that liabilities are paid in a timely manner.
  • With support from the operations team, monitor use of credit cards for potential fraud or misuse.
Bursar Responsibilities
  • Manage all full-time student accounts, collections, including payment plans and disbursement of financial aid, with support from the Academic Administrator.
  • Reconcile Title IV disbursements to student accounts with COD data from the Financial Aid Office on a monthly basis.
  • Manage Federal G6 system as the primary user and ensure Federal Funds bank account is segregated for G6 cash drawdowns only, including return of Title IV funds.
  • Interface with counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs to arrange receipt of veteran education benefits to appropriate student accounts.
  • Manage refunds of payments to third party payers, including the VA and private lenders, and scholarship provided in accordance with NBSS and organization refund policies.
Payroll & Benefits Administration
  • Perform final review of all timesheets from hourly workers, with support from Front Desk Administrator.
  • Train payroll backup personnel and keep them current on key details.
  • Maintain accurate staff and faculty profiles within the online ADP payroll system.
  • Assist Senior Director in the management of trends in compensation and establish COLA as needed.

Experience and Skills

  • Familiarity with Federal Student Aid compliance requirements, specifically in the areas of Title IV cash management and disbursement is essential.
  • Knowledge of internal controls, GAAP, and automated accounting systems.
  • 5-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in an educational setting is preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience.
  • Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant strongly preferred.
  • The Controller must use the utmost discretion in all presentations, correspondence, and communication for staff, faculty, Board of Directors, and President.
  • Experience with craft and an understanding of the unique nature and mission of North Bennet Street School is welcome, but not required. 
  • Experience with QuickBooks, Raiser’s Edge, ADP, and Blackbaud preferred, but not required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

  • Must be able to frequently walk up and down stairs.
  • Must be able to lift more than 25 lbs. and assist others to do the same.
  • Walking, standing, and bending for long periods of time.
  • Ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@nbss.edu with “Controller” in the subject line by November 30, 2023.

Date posted: October 30, 2023

​​North Bennet Street School is seeking Freelance Writers eager to develop compelling stories that highlight our talented community and champion our important work.

We’re looking for creative, passionate people who are able to capture our institution’s voice and who will reliably produce meaningful, relevant stories across multiple channels and publications. For a sampling of content, please check out nbss.edu/news and nbss.edu/about/publications.

Key Responsibilities

  • With editorial direction provided, develop stories and content across print/digital channels.
  • Conduct interviews with senior staff, donors, alumni, partners, students, and others.
  • Write clear, attractive copy in a voice/style that reflects the School.
  • Maintain the quality, consistency, and creativity of writing.
  • Proofread and edit copy, as needed, following editorial guidelines.
  • Obtain approvals on final stories from subjects.
  • Attend virtual check-in meetings related to assignments.
  • Prioritize workload, handle tasks, fulfill assignments, and meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications

  • A minimum three years of experience as a professional writer.
  • A strong portfolio of professionally written work.
  • Excellent communication, writing, and project management skills.
  • Attention to detail, and ability to produce the highest quality work.
  • Ability to conduct interviews and build rapport with subjects.
  • Ability to accept and integrate feedback.
  • Sensitivity to DEI principles and practices, and ability to apply these in interviews and writing.
  • Familiarity with SEO, keywords, and other aspects of inbound marketing is a plus.

Compensation

Freelance Writers will be hired on a per-project basis. Based on a writer’s experience and portfolio, and the nature of the assignment, we provide a range of $.75 to $1.00 per word.

How to Apply

If interested, please email a resume and three strong examples of written work to jobs@nbss.edu with “Freelance Writer position” in the subject line. Applications without these items will not be reviewed. Please include your per-word rate or range in the cover letter. No phone calls or follow-up emails, please.

​​North Bennet Street School is seeking Freelance Photographers eager to help us showcase our talented community and the impact of our important work.

We’re looking for creative, passionate people who are able to capture our institution’s visual style through compelling and beautiful photographs of people, events, and objects. These assets would be shared by the School across multiple channels including our website, emails, print publications, and social media. For a sampling of content, please check out nbss.edu/publications.

Specialties/Focus

We’re seeking photographers who specialize in one or any combination of these areas:

  • General: photos of our students/faculty at work, our building, etc 
  • Events: candid and staged, for public and private events
  • Portraits: people-focused photos, whether headshots or more editorial/profile-related
  • Products: photos of furniture, books, jewelry, and related goods. Some may require following specific criteria as part of placement in industry publications.
  • Note that we only work with photographers who can offer full rights and usage to the School as part of their contracted assignment.

Key Responsibilities

  • With client direction and shot lists provided, capture compelling, attractive photos for each individual assignment.
  • Complete each assignment with minimal oversight from NBSS.
  • Produce error-free, technically sound imagery for each assignment.
  • Provide high-resolution, edited content within agreed-upon budget and timeline.
  • Adjust style/scope of photography as needed, based on direction and feedback.

Required Qualifications

  • A strong portfolio of work.
  • Ability to connect with subjects and make people feel at ease while being photographed. 
  • Ability to accept and integrate feedback.
  • Sensitivity to DEI principles and practices, and ability to apply these in your photography.
  • Ability to prioritize workload, keep to schedules, fulfill assignments, and meet deadlines.
  • Excellent communication and project management skills.

How to Apply

Freelance Photographers will be hired on a per-project, rolling basis. If interested, please email a resume, client list, and a link to your portfolio to jobs@nbss.edu with “Freelance Photographer position” in the subject line. Please include your rate(s) in the cover letter. No phone calls or follow-up emails, please.

North Bennet Street School is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, and encourages application from a diverse group of people. Applicants for employment and employees are reviewed on their individual qualifications for a position. Under no circumstances will NBSS discriminate against qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religious creed, retaliation, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, disability, mental illness, genetics, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

Applicants, as well as position incumbents, who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case–by–case basis.