Educational Projects Specialist

The Projects Specialist will support two flagship education initiatives at New England Donor Services: The Organ Donation Scholars Program, a year-long high school leadership and service-learning initiative across the New England region, and the Galen V. Henderson Program, a medical student donation education and research immersion program. This role requires strong organizational skills, experience coordinating educational programs, comfort working with students at different training levels, and the ability to track program outcomes that advance NEDS’s mission to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation.

Organ Donation Scholars Program (Primary Focus, 75%)

• Coordinate all aspects of the Organ Donation Scholars Program, including recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and year-long implementation across participating high schools in the New England region.
• Manage outreach to high schools, guidance counselors, and educators; coordinate student nominations, applications, and selection processes.
• Lead and work collaboratively with student Scholars in ensuring implementation of the full curriculum to increase the number of high school-aged students registered as organ donors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student Scholars, providing guidance and support as they plan and implement school-based organ donation awareness activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with participating schools, educators, and community partners to ensure smooth coordination and sustained engagement.
• Assist with preparation and dissemination of educational materials related to organ and tissue donation, transplantation science, and advocacy, in collaboration with NEDS staff and subject-matter experts
• Coordinate monthly virtual meetings, including agenda development, materials preparation, attendance tracking, and follow-up communications.
• Support tracking and reporting of youth donor registration metrics across the New England region, collaborating with internal NEDS teams and external partners to monitor trends and assess program impact.
• Track participation, activities completed, student engagement, applications received, and other program metrics; assist with surveys, data analysis, and preparation of internal and external reports.
• Support budget tracking, stipend and scholarship distribution, swag coordination, and event-related logistics.
• Work collaboratively with other entities who are also directly or indirectly engaged in creating an environment supportive of donation registration for high school students around our region (e.g., NEDS multicultural community affairs program, other NEDS Community Projects Specialists, and the Student Organ Donation Advocates organization). 

• Work together with Director of Data Research & Insights to promote donation registration among key youth populations with an opportunity for increased outreach and education as guided by existing donor registration rates.

Galen V. Henderson Program (Administrative and Program Support, 25%)

• Provide administrative and coordination support for the Henderson Program, including scheduling, logistics, and coordination of program activities and events.
• Support onboarding of participating medical students, including dissemination of program materials, calendars, and expectations.
• Coordinate logistics for weekly seminars, guest speakers, and educational sessions (in-person and virtual).
• Communicate with internal and external speakers regarding schedules, presentations, and logistical needs.
• Maintain and update the Henderson Program calendar; communicate changes to students and faculty as needed.
• Track attendance and participation across seminars and required activities.
• Assist with administration of program evaluations and surveys; compile summary data for program leadership.
• Assist in preparing internal summaries and documentation related to Henderson Program activities and outcomes.

Other

• Carry out other duties as deemed appropriate by the Director of Data Research & Insights and the Chief Public Affairs Officer that advance NEDS’s mission to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability to coordinate complex educational or service-learning programs with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including high school students, medical students, educators, and healthcare professionals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, professional communications and program materials.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and events (virtual and in-person), including agenda development and participant engagement.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to track program metrics, participation, and outcomes, and to assist with basic data reporting and evaluation.
• Proficiency with common workplace and collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Excel).
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with students and external partners.
• Commitment to equity, community engagement, and education aligned with NEDS’s mission.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, education, social sciences, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field; or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Experience working in youth-focused programs, school-based initiatives, nonprofit or community-based organizations preferred.
• Experience with program evaluation, data tracking, or outcomes reporting preferred.
• Familiarity with organ and tissue donation, transplantation, public health education, or health advocacy preferred but not required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Required to travel (occasionally) by personal vehicle to meet the duties and responsibilities of this position. Must maintain the requirements of an “eligible driver” including maintaining an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and required minimum personal automobile insurance per NEDS automobile policy.
• Valid state driver’s license required and must be at least 21 years of age to drive for NEDS business.

Additional Information

HIRING ALERT: NEDS is actively taking precautions to protect our community, staff and partners during this time of medical emergency due to COVID-19. In order to be employed at NEDS, you must be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19.

When you join New England Donor Services you can expect competitive salaries and a great benefit package. Benefits include a generous paid time off program, BCBS Health and Dental Insurance, Healthcare Reimbursement Account, 2x Annual Salary Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage, 403(b) Retirement Contribution, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program and Discounts through Working Advantage.

New England Donor Services is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Hear from some of our employees at www.neds.org/careers