Program Coordinator – Program Operations

Job Description

Program Coordinator | Maryland Nonprofits

The Tone:
This is an entry-level, remote-first role for FIRST Chesapeake, based in Virginia or Maryland. The organization is dedicated to providing transformative STEM opportunities to young people, ensuring access to hands-on programs that build technical skills, leadership, and confidence for future careers. The Program Coordinator serves as the operational backbone for the programs team, ensuring the smooth execution of daily logistics, data systems, and team-facing processes across all FIRST programs. This role is crucial for supporting program delivery and directly contributes to empowering students through competitive robotics.

The TL;DR
• Role: Entry Level
• Type: Full Time
• Location: Hybrid, Virginia/Maryland, US
• Pay: $45000–$55000 yearly
• Team: Collaborates with the Senior Program Manager and Program Manager.
• Mission: Ensures smooth day-to-day logistics, data systems, and team-facing processes run efficiently across all FIRST programs.
• Tech Stack: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Slides), Slack

What You’ll Actually Do
• Team Registration & Operations: Manage team registration workflows, event selection, and placement logistics across all FIRST programs, serving as the primary operational contact.
• Event Support & Logistics: Provide hands-on operational support for events, including managing on-site logistics, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating Championship event tasks like freight management.
• Data Tracking & Reporting: Own the collection, organization, and maintenance of program data to support operations, internal reporting, and grant requirements.
• Administrative & Cross-Team Support: Offer operational and administrative support to Program Managers, maintaining shared calendars, drafting communications, and responding to stakeholder inquiries.
• Professional & Operational Development: Participate in cross-training across FIRST programs, engage in professional development, and contribute to process improvement initiatives.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Relevant entry-level experience in program coordination, youth development, education, or a related field.
• Experience: Strong time-management and organizational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines, comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a remote environment, and willingness to support evening or weekend events during peak season.
• Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills across various settings, and proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Slides) and Slack.
• Bonus: Familiarity with FIRST programs (FTC, FRC, FLL) or other STEM competition environments, experience with Canva or similar design platforms, AI productivity tools, web development in platforms like WIX, or a background in volunteer coordination, event logistics, or nonprofit operations.