Program Specialist

Imagine channeling your love for teaching and hands-on STEM into a dynamic, nontraditional environment where kids get excited about real-world problem-solving, mechanical thinking, and personal growth. If you’re a passionate educator (current or former teacher) who thrives on facilitating engaging, project-based learning, building meaningful connections with students, and watching them light up as they master tangible skills, we want you at Bearings Bike Works.

Bearings is a faith-based, mission-driven youth development organization in Atlanta that uses bicycles as a powerful tool to help neighborhood youth build confidence, character, technical skills, and a strong work ethic. Our flagship Skills for Life program is a vibrant drop-in after-school space where students learn bike mechanics through immersive, project-based experiences—disassembling, troubleshooting, building, and riding. It’s education at its most practical and rewarding: no desks in rows, just active learning, collaboration, and the pride of fixing something with their own hands.

This role is perfect for a teacher who:

• Craves facilitating experiential, STEM-rich learning outside a traditional classroom
• Loves connecting deeply with kids and teens while helping them develop resilience and real-world competence
• Wants to design and run engaging programs that feel more like a dynamic makerspace than a standard after-school activity
• Is ready for a purposeful, high-impact career that still centers on youth growth and mentorship

JOB SUMMARY

We’re seeking an energetic, relational, and pedagogically strong Program Specialist to serve as the heart of our Skills for Life program. You’ll design and deliver high-quality, hands-on learning experiences, build strong relationships with students and families, and help grow participation through authentic community outreach. This is direct-service work with real teenagers who need consistent, caring adults in their lives—ideal for someone who wants to keep teaching and facilitating growth in a more flexible, creative, and community-embedded setting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Skills for Life Program Design & Facilitation

• Lead and continuously improve our best-in-class after-school bike mechanics program, creating a welcoming, well-organized learning environment with excellent flow from arrival to project work to reflection and wrap-up.  
• Collaborate with the team to build an engaging weekly programming calendar focused on progressive skill-building (mechanics, safety, physics of bikes, teamwork, and life skills), high student engagement, and repeat attendance.  
• Train, support, and empower volunteers so they can effectively facilitate hands-on activities and connect with youth (think co-teaching or mentoring student teachers).  
• Maintain thoughtful records for program evaluation, student progress, and grant reporting while continuously refining processes and documentation.  
• Develop communication rhythms with students and families and partner with our marketing lead on outreach.  
• Inspire participants to engage in Bearings’ broader programs and opportunities.

Student Relationships & Outreach

• Build authentic, supportive relationships with youth and their families so they feel seen, valued, and excited to show up consistently.  
• Guide students through our skill-mastery pathway, celebrating growth in technical abilities, confidence, and character—while helping the program exceed goals for enrollment, dosage, and impact.  
• Lead creative, grassroots recruitment efforts to bring in new students who would benefit most from this kind of hands-on, empowering experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years experience in teaching, mentorship, youth development, summer camp leadership, program coordination, or similar educational roles. Current or former classroom teachers (especially elementary, middle, or high school with STEM interest) are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Passion for hands-on, experiential learning and comfort facilitating practical skill-building (bike mechanics experience is a bonus but not required—we value teaching mindset and mechanical curiosity more).  
• Strong relationship-builder who connects easily with urban youth and families.  
• Growth-oriented, organized, and detail-focused with good writing and creative problem-solving skills.  
• Comfortable with outreach, data tracking, and learning new tools.  
• Alignment with our faith-based mission and high standards for youth character development.

OTHER KEY INFORMATION

Schedule: Full time, in-person (no work from home option). In order to serve our students well, the work schedule for this position is Monday-Thursday 9:30am - 6:45pm and 9am-3pm Fridays. Scheduled based on a 1-hour unpaid lunch break schedule. The Bearings team also has a generous Holiday Time Off schedule, including 4-day summer holiday weekends, a week at Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas. Starting team members also have 7 PTO days to use as desired.

Specific programs or events may occasionally operate outside of weekly scheduled hours. In these few cases, the successful candidate will be able to take a regularly scheduled workday off. (Subject to adjustment based on program needs.)

Title & Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000; Salary and Title will commensurate based on experience.

Benefits: Bearings offers health, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as a 401(k) with employer matching.

WHY JOIN US?

If you’ve ever wished for a setting where your teaching gifts could shine in a more relational, project-based, and community-transforming way—without standardized testing pressure—this is it. You’ll join a tight-knit, mission-driven team that values excellence, creativity, and real results in the lives of Atlanta youth. This isn’t just another job; it’s a chance to keep doing what you love—facilitating powerful learning and connection—while helping break cycles of poverty through skill, character, and opportunity.

TO APPLY

If this resonates with your heart for teaching, mentoring, and hands-on learning, we’d love to hear from you!  

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter (tell us about your teaching background and why this nontraditional path excites you) to info@bearingsbikeworks.org. We look forward to meeting educators ready to make a lasting difference in a whole new way.