Upward Bound Summer Operations Assistant

This is an in person position working with office staff and high school students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities East Bank campus.  

Description of UMD Upward Bound Vision Quest:
The Upward Bound Vision Quest program is a federally funded college preparatory program for low-income and first-generation high school students that serves a total of 135 students in four high schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota and one in Duluth, Minnesota. The Upward Bound Vision Quest program works with students, parents, schools and the community to develop partnerships and provide services and support that promote participant success. Services are offered on site in the target schools and are designed to prepare students to succeed in applying for, and finishing postsecondary education.

The summer program is an exciting opportunity for high school students to experience college life by taking classes and living in the residence halls.  Each summer, additional staff are hired to help make the summer experience unforgettable.  The summer program needs motivated and caring staff to create an unforgettable student experience.

Description of Position: 
Operations Assistants is a dynamic role that requires direct service and youth engagement as well as back-end operations support ensuring program continuity and flow. This position requires a person who can work independently, is highly organized and proactive in communication, persistent in troubleshooting and figuring things out, enjoys celebrating the work and achievement of others, willing to share their knowledge and be in conversation with young people, and is available to attend our Week 6 trip full-time from July 21 - 25th. As with all UBVQ positions, this role requires a person willing to cultivate environments of health, safety, and wellbeing of youth and fellow staff. 

Outline of Responsibilities:
● Facilitate and engage students in activities, conversations, and learning opportunities that support their ability to envision their futures as full of agency and possibility
● Manage essential data and documents including, but not limited to: student evaluations, attendance, surveys, flyers, schedules, and behavior reports
● Support the maintenance of physical and digital program archives that require filing, digitization, organization, and data management
● Create and update daily attendance sheets and weekly evaluations
● Join the team that plans End-of-Summer Celebration, Week 6 (5-Day Trip), events and workshops
● Occasionally chaperone students on school bus from the Minneapolis high schools (South and Edison) on Monday mornings, and back on Friday afternoons
● Capture the power and magic of UBVQ Summer Program in photo, video, and words 
● Share the power and magic of UBVQ Summer program in a weekly newsletter for UBVQ students, families, and staff
● Post to UBVQ Social Media accounts daily to document Summer Program events
● Assist Residence Hall check-in Monday mornings and check-out Friday afternoons
● Manage and prepare class & activity supplies, including the security of iPads and Chromebooks
● Participate in daily check-ins and weekly meetings with UBVQ Director and staff
● Observe strict data privacy and confidentiality protocols
● Other duties as assigned by Program Director

Staff Schedule: (up to 20 hours a week during these times)
●    Staff Orientation & Training:
â—‹    Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13, 2025
â—‹    8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
●    Week 1 - 5: Student College Experience in Minneapolis
â—‹    June 16 â“ July 18, 2025
â—‹    8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
●    Week 6: Out-of-State Trip
â—‹    Monday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m.
●    Week 7: Debrief Week (Debrief week, participation is flexible)
â—‹    Monday, July 28, 8:30 a.m. - Wednesday, July 30, 3:00 p.m.
●    Holidays Off: June 19 & 20, June 30 - July 4, 2025
 

Minimum Qualifications:
● Curious, interested in learning, and willingness to try new things
● Experienced and finds value in working with high school students of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds
● Experienced and confident role model / leader who can facilitate activities, chaperone field trips, and meaningfully engage students throughout a dayâ™s activities
● Comfort and ability to fairly intervene, support, and redirect students in moments of conflict resolution
● Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and locate things in digital spaces and the physical environment
● Great communication skills, in-person and digitally
● Experience creating captivating and posting appropriate content for target-audiences on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Discord, etc.)
● Takes initiative, is a team player, and willing to jump in to get things done
● Ability to maintain a positive mindset, sense of possibility, and communicate while problem-solving
● Available during this roleâ™s mandatory staff schedule, including 5 day out-of-state trip (see schedule below)
● Per University of Minnesota Safety of Minors policy, applicants must be at least 20-years-old upon hiring, and pass a background check

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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