UTP Site Partnership Agreement Form (CSS)

(August 4, 2025 - June 26, 2026)

The Urban Technology Project (UTP) is the School District of Philadelphia's I.T. Apprenticeship program for young adults pursuing a career in Technology. Computer Support Specialists (CSS) provide technical support to schools, administrative offices and local businesses. As I.T. Apprentices, the CSS, work alongside the School Technology Coordinator or Tech professional who provide the CSS with supervision, mentorship, and clearly defined responsibilities. The Computer Support Specialist (CSS) I.T. Apprenticeship is 1-3 years program, apprentices then graduate with a Journeyperson Certificate issued by the PA Department of Labor.

Urban Technology Project - School District of Philadelphia's I.T. Apprenticeship program that supports the apprentice and employer success

Launch of Philadelphia - HR and fiscal partner

Apprentice - Computer Support Specialist are aspiring technicians with a minimum of 1 year of I.T. experience and/or one I.T. certification. CSS are assigned to a school or company to provide tech support under the direction of a Site Supervisor

Site Supervisor - A School District of Philadelphia staff person assigned or tech professional assigned to manage the I.T. Apprentice. We recommend this be the School Technology Coordinator (formerly TTL), TSS, DLT or someone with I.T. experience and knowledge. The Site Supervisor should dedicate 2-3 hours per week to provide the CSS with the necessary guidance and on-the-job training needed for success.

UTP Program Manager - Provides on-going support via email, site visits, training and weekly team meetings to ensure the success of the CSS & Site Supervisor. The UTP Program Manager is the first point of contact for any attendance or performance issues.

Worksite  - CSS are assigned to various locations to provide tech support, i.e., school, administrative office, and businesses throughout the city of Philadelphia

Job Description

Computer Support Specialist I.T. Apprentice

CSS are assigned to a school or company to work under the direct supervision of the School Technology Coordinator, Principal or assigned supervisor.

The CSS job duties may include:

1. Maintenance of technology as needed throughout the school building or office, 
   diagnosis of technical issues and resolution through documented methods
2. Provide basic hardware repairs on site for Chromebooks, Apple devices, Smartboards, printers and more
3. Assist and support the School Technology Coordinator (STC) with maintenance of SIS computer inventory
4. Update school or company website and social media pages
5. Implementation of a technical support ticketing system (e.g. Google Forms) that coordinates technical issues, documents resolutions, and organizes data or utilization of currrent ticketing system
6. Working with the School Technology Coordinator (STC) and/or Technical Support Specialist (TSS) to administer the building’s computer network
7. Assisting students and staff to effectively utilize the school’s technology resources e.g. Smartboard, Go Guardian, etc.
8. Attend tech trainings offered by SDP & UTP
9. Provide mini-tech trainings for staff & administrators
10. Assisting the Information Technology Office with the implementation/support of ongoing district-wide technology initiatives (e.g. Chromebook rollout, lab upgrades and integration, MacBook configuration and integration)

I.T. Apprentices are NOT Responsible For:

1. The entire SIS inventory alone
2. Transporting devices to School District Repair Centers 
3. Covering classes, leading instruction or managing students
4. Facilitating the purchase of equipment or supplies
5. Office work (i.e. answering phones, buzzing guests into the building, filing, etc.)
6. Inventory for items that are not technology related

CSS are required to meet the following program expectations:

1. Earn at least one industry recognized certification each program year.
2. Attend and participate in monthly professional development workshops provided by Urban Technology Project. Workshops are designed to strengthen their soft-skills and build their professional competencies. Worksites will be provided with the apprentice training calendar at the beginning of the year. Apprentices are required to attend all UTP trainings and weekly team meetings.
3. Apprentices are required to complete hands-on technical work as part of their apprenticeship requirement. Apprentices will provide direct tech support at their school worksite that reinforces their technical knowledge.

 

Site Supervisor Role

In an effort to provide the employer partner and apprentices with the best possible experiences, we ask that you provide the following:

1. Establish a weekly work schedule for the Apprentice that totals 40 hours/week for full-time positions or 20 hours/week for part-time positions including a 1 hr lunch break (please share your schedule with UTP Program Manager)
2. A sign-in book in the front office to track apprentice attendance
3. A designated employee will serve as the CSS’s dedicated supervisior and mentor (specific responsibilities are detailed in the “Site Supervisor Responsibilities” section below).
4. School or Company will work with the Apprentice to develop a ticketing system to track and respond to I.T. concerns that best fit the school’s or office needs.
5. School or Company will provide the CSS with a designated work space
6. School or Company will not make an offer to hire the CSS before they have completed a minimum of 2 years as an apprentice

CSS are required to meet the following program expectations:

1. Earn at least one industry recognized certification each program year.
2. Attend and participate in monthly professional development workshops provided by Urban Technology Project. Workshops are designed to strengthen their soft-skills and build their professional competencies. Worksites will be provided with the apprentice training calendar at the beginning of the year. Apprentices are required to attend all UTP trainings and weekly team meetings.
3. Apprentices are required to complete hands-on technical work as part of their apprenticeship requirement. Apprentices will provide direct tech support at their school worksite that reinforces their technical knowledge.

 

Strong supervision is key to the success of a Computer Support Specialist, I.T. Apprentice. To ensure the success of all apprentices, we ask that each school or office identifies a dedicated supervisor with a Technology background, typically the School Technology Coordinator (formerly TTL) or Digital Literacy Teacher (computer teacher).

Site Supervisors are required to:

1. Provide mentorship and guidance to navigate a professional work setting
2. Provide guidance in adhering to school / office specific policies and protocols
3. Provide on-the-job training to ensure apprentice are prepared to fulfill assigned task
4. Encourage the overall personal and professional growth of the CSS
5. Meet with the CSS weekly to communicate task, expectations and project status
6. Establish a weekly check-in and communication protocol for arrival, departure, lunch breaks and communication throughout the day, i.e. walkie talkie, office phone, etc.
7. Sign timesheets to verify the apprentices hours worked every Friday
8. Escalate and communicate performance issues to the UTP Program Manager
9. Ensure that the apprentice’s time is utilized in a productive manner
10. Provide apprentice with formal and informal feedback for continuous professional development through bi-annual performance reviews
11. Attend mandatory orientation for all Site Supervisors
12. Complete bi-annual program feedback survey

Partnership Agreement

Urban Technology Project Responsibilities

UTP will provide the following: 

• Execute Agreement and SDP invoice process
• Lead and manage all recruitment efforts including applicant screening, interviews, selection and placement
• Provide the Site Supervisor and Mentor with orientation and ongoing support
• Conduct bi-monthly site visits
• Support with the management of the apprentice
• Manage all apprentices performance reviews and corrective action plans
• Provide all apprentices with training for industry certifications 
• Provide all apprentices ongoing professional development workshops and training
• Provide all apprentices with a laptop, toolkit and uniform shirts
• Provide all apprentices with monthly transportation passes or mileage reimbursement
• Approve apprentices request for leave
• Review and submit payroll

In partnership with the Urban Technology Project, Launch of Philadelphia will:

• Manage all financial matters including payroll and invoices
• Manage all Human Resources matters including hiring, onboarding, background checks, payroll and benefits
• Maintain current certificate of insurance

By signing below, you are agreeing to hire and absorb the cost of an I.T. Apprentice, Computer Support Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year. 

You will receive a PDF copy of the fully executed agreement via email for your records.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Executive Director, Shana Savage at ssavage2@philasd.org.