AmeriCorps Residential Tutor/Mentor
Apply by sending a resume & cover letter to tyson@umass.edu. Instructions are below as well as here. Submitting a resume on Handshake does not mean you have applied.
The Upward Bound Summer Institute is a six-week holistic enrichment experience hosted at UMass Amherst each summer. It serves 40–60 high school students from Springfield’s High School of Commerce, including Springfield Honors Academy, Discovery Polytech Early College High School, and Emergence Academy. It supports students in their development academically, emotionally, and personally to prepare them for success both in college and in life. The Summer Institute provides participants with a college-like experience. Students live on campus, take academic courses, and engage in creative residential activities in order to experience life in college and prepare for success in the future.
Upward Bound is looking for energetic, team-oriented people who enjoy supporting youth. Experience with youth education and/or positive youth development is helpful. The summer program is intensive, and challenging; potential candidates should expect a fast-paced and dynamic workplace.
The program will run for six (6) weeks for students and nine (9) weeks for AmeriCorps members, starting with training for staff in June. The in-person academic and residential program for students will begin in late June and end in early August. On-campus housing is provided for Residential Tutor/Mentors for the in-person component of the program.
***Important***
-Members must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful Permanent Residents. (An F1 visa does not suffice for AmeriCorps eligibility.)
-The AmeriCorps program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
-We make reasonable accommodations for interviews and service.
-Satisfactory completion of a criminal history check is required for participation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with Upward Bound staff to create and operate a college-like residential experience for Upward Bound participants (high-school-aged) Sunday through Thursday 3:30pm-12:30am with a weekly late night shift.
- Create and maintain a positive, productive, and safe living residential environment for both students and staff.
- Build and maintain positive and supportive relationships with teen-aged students.
- Work with the rest of the residential team to plan daily recreational activities using on-campus and local resources..
- Schedule, plan, supervise, and lead outings, activities, or clubs during the daily recreation block(s).
- Conduct Sunday evening welcome activities using the positive behavioral program.
- Respond positively and proactively to student issues as they occur, including responding to disciplinary situations. Follow program protocols when such matters arise.
- Participate in the positive intellectual and emotional development of teenage students in a mentoring capacity.
- Attend, monitor, and participate in dinner with students each day.
- Monitor dorms to ensure program policies are being followed.
- Perform night duty as assigned by the Residential Supervisor or designee.
- Assist during field trips and recreational activities as needed.
- Attend and participate in training, staff development activities, and weekly staff meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum rising college junior who is in good academic standing. Recent college graduates and/or graduate students are welcome to apply.
- Leadership and success in an academic and/or community capacity.
- Organizational skills, communication skills, a professional attitude, and an ability to work well under pressure.
- Capacity to work in a positive, team-oriented environment.
- Experience living in residential dormitories or living on your own.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with high-school-aged youth, especially in a camp or academic setting.
- Ability to model positive behavior in discreet and effective ways.
- Awareness of and ability to articulate factors affecting student access and success in higher education, including but not limited to those affecting marginalized students, students from diverse backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
- Past participation in or with Upward Bound/TRiO programs or in similar academic/summer residential programs. Identification with at least one of Upward Bound’s targeted demographics (low-income or first-generation background).
- Positive and proactive developmental approach to behavior and discipline.
- Interest in exploring themes such as equity and access to higher education and other important issues facing the national and the global community.
Benefits:
- Living allowance of $2,750.
- Education Award of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of 450 hours of service.
- On-campus housing in the UMass Honors College dorms and two meals in UMass Dining per workday allowance.
- CPR Training provided (2-year certification).
To Apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter to Director Tyson Rose at tyson@umass.edu.
In your letter, please address the questions listed below:
- Why are you interested in working with UMass Upward Bound?
- What is your experience working with high-school-aged students?
- What importance do you believe mentoring plays in supporting the academic and personal development of high-school-aged students?
- What barriers do you think exist in terms of access to higher education in the U.S.?
- What skills and strengths do you have that would support your success in this position?
We will contact a select number of applicants for interviews after review.