New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) | Boston, MA

Position Title: Project Assistant, New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC)

Reports To: Director of New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC)

Starting Salary: $60,000

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) seeks a Project Assistant to support the activities of the New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC). NEPEC is a five-year regional initiative led by NEBHE and funded by a grant from Ascendium Education Group. Through NEPEC, NEBHE seeks to accelerate, support, and collaborate to help actualize a future where every incarcerated person in New England has access to high-quality, workforce-aligned, postsecondary opportunities with a diverse range of educational pathways. Since its launch in October 2024, NEPEC has operated on three distinct levels—the regional, state, and institutional levels — to catalyze progress.

As NEPEC continues to grow, the Project Assistant will provide administrative and operational support to the Director and work closely with the three other full-time members of the NEPEC team. This position will further the continued success of this ambitious initiative by handling day-to-day administrative functions including calendar management, scheduling and support for internal meetings, team travel arrangements, email communication and more.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a highly organized early-career professional interested in working in a nonprofit setting focused on higher education. All with the opportunity to grow and develop professionally in communications, event management, and more —based on individual interests and career goals.

NEBHE BACKGROUND:

Established in 1955 by six visionary New England governors, NEBHE is a regional compact that works across New England to help leaders assess, develop, and implement education practices and policies of regional significance; promote regional cooperation that encourages efficient sharing of education resources; and strengthen the relationship between higher education and the regional economy. Based in downtown Boston, NEBHE is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Support

• Assist the NEPEC Director with calendar management and internal and external scheduling.
• Support the NEPEC Director in email outreach and replying to incoming communication.
• Make travel arrangements for the Director and other NEPEC team members – including booking transportation and completing conference or event registration, where applicable; coordinate mileage and other reimbursements related to travel and events.
• Support maintenance of Teams, SharePoint, and other collaboration platforms.
• Respond to routine initiative inquiries and direct actionable requests to the appropriate team member.
  

Meeting and Event Support

• Support the NEPEC Director with notetaking and dissemination of meeting minutes for select engagements.
• Prepare agendas and meeting materials and execute follow-up communication.
• Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person meetings as well as trainings and events.
• In collaboration with the Senior Coordinator, Communications and Events, manage registrations, attendance tracking, materials preparation, and follow-up activities for NEPEC-hosted events.
• Support NEPEC Regional Advisory Council meetings and other stakeholder convenings.
• Assist with travel arrangements, reimbursements, procurement requests, and other administrative processes.
  

Data Management and Reporting

• Enter and maintain project-related information in spreadsheets and tracking systems.
• Maintain stakeholder contact lists and support document and file management.
• Assist in compiling information for reports, presentations, and other communications materials.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Required

• Associate or bachelor's degree.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and sensitivity in communications with diverse populations.
  

Strongly Preferred

• Experience supporting nonprofit, higher education, or grant-funded initiatives.
• Administrative support experience from previous employment or internship experience.
• Experience managing a calendar and coordinating travel for a busy team.
• Interest in higher education in prison and policy to expand educational access.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are also committed to fair chance hiring and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, including those who have been previously incarcerated, consistent with applicable laws.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Retirement plan
• Flexible hybrid work environment (with three required in-office days per week)

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• More than half of the time (3 days per week) spent in a normal office setting.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

CONTACT

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume or CV on LinkedIn or via an email to careers@nebhe.org using the subject line "Project Assistant.”