Job Description

Summer Residential Mentors Wanted

Upward Bound Programs (UBP) at Penn State - University Park is hosting a 2025 Summer Academy and is seeking five talented and motivated summer Residential Mentors (RMs) who are interested in developing their leadership and mentoring skills while engaging in academic and social activities with approximately 60 students from Hazleton, Mifflin County, Mount Union, Newport, Reading, and Steelton-Highspire School Districts. The Summer Academy will operate from June 16 through July 25. RM training will occur at the University Park campus on June 9 through 13. RMs will need to be able to provide their own transportation to/from the campuses for departure of field trips or residential stays.

The six-week Summer Academy for students will consist of three weeks virtually with a weekly in-person field trip plus three weeks in a residential format - the week of June 22 at Penn State Altoona, the week of July 6 at Penn State Berks, and the week of July 20 at Penn State University Park. Camp responsibilities may include attending classes, providing tutorial support, leading icebreaker activities, supervising students, chaperoning weekly trips, attending staff meetings, completing program documentation and evaluations by established deadlines, building a sense of community with UBP participants plus any other duties assigned by the UBP staff. During virtual days, RMs may also lead various activities with participants throughout the week.

The residential camps offer a taste of college life, bearing in mind all participants are minors. Students from all six school districts will participate in each of these weeks. Responsibilities may include establishing a supportive, encouraging, and welcoming environment in the residence hall; serving as a role model who exhibits sound judgment, maturity, and common sense; ensuring the well-being and safety of all students and other staff members; enforcing UBP and University regulations in a consistent and objective manner; working with a small group of students to complete an assigned project; planning and leading academic, social, and recreational activities; working closely with the program's teachers, office staff, and other individuals; chaperoning groups of students as they participate in activities both on and off campus; monitoring participants; performing regular monitoring duties such as free time check in, meal check in, and sick duty as scheduled; and assisting with cleanup of the residence hall at the end of the summer program.

The position requires daytime and evening responsibilities. In addition, the position may also require overnight duty responsibilities on a rotating basis as part of a larger team. All RMs are required to stay in the student residence hall during the residential components. Hourly pay is $15.00/hr. during both the virtual and residential weeks. Room and board during the three residential weeks and any meals that occur during working hours will be provided as will entrance fees into any events (examples might include: museums, movie theater, and sporting event).

Successful candidates will have earned a minimum of 30 credits by the beginning of June 2025 and either be a current Penn State student or currently enrolled at another institution. The residential mentor position might also be used as an internship if needed. Preferred candidates will have experience working with youth in a residential setting. Candidates cannot schedule classes or hold additional employment while employed by UBP. There will be some time off during weekends and on the Juneteenth and 4th of July holidays.

If interested, please submit a rsum and cover letter plus complete the PSU web application. Review of materials will begin soon with interviews starting in mid-March. UBP is a federally funded program that prepares low-income, first-generation high school students for future success in college.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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