Upward Bound Summer Residential Staff

About the Job

This is an in person and overnight residential position working with 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 (UBVQ) 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 memorable. The summer program needs motivated and caring staff to create an unforgettable student experience.

Description of Position:

Residential Staff are mentors who support high school students as they get their first taste of college life while staying on the UMN-Twin Cities East Bank. For some youth, this will be their first time away from home and family. Therefore, Residential Staff play an important role of supervising youth in dorms, establishing morning/breakfast routines that set the stage for a day of successful learning, evening/dinner routines that transition to communal leisure and rest, planning and facilitating group activities and excursions, supporting youth as they consider future pathways, and cultivating environments of health, safety, and wellbeing of youth and fellow staff.

Outline of Responsibilities:

• Reside overnight on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus to supervise, mentor, and support high school participants during program's weeknight evening hours

• Engage students in activities, conversations, and learning opportunities that support their ability to envision their futures as full of agency and possibility

• Chaperone evening field trips and events in Twin Cities and on campus

• Supervise students during breakfast and dinner-time in the campus dining hall

• Coordinate with residential staff and security to monitor hallways during late-night/early-morning watch shifts

• Plan and facilitate fun and engaging culture-building activities, workshops, and game nights

• Capture the power and magic of UBVQ Summer Program in photo, video, and words

• Join the team that plans End-of-Summer Celebration, Week 6 (5-Day Trip), events and workshops

• Manage essential data and documents including, but not limited to: student evaluations, attendance, surveys, flyers, schedules, and behavior reports

• Residential staff are responsible for students from 5:00 p.m. until students leave for their morning class (including supervising students in the halls, at meals, and during evening activities)

• Residential staff reside in the hall overnight and also coordinate residential dorm night activities

• Respond to, monitor, report, and document any evening incidents

• Participate in daily check-ins and weekly meetings with UBVQ Director and staff

• Observe strict data privacy and confidentiality protocols

• Duluth staff only:

• Ride the bus to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus Monday mornings and return to Duluth on Friday afternoons Week 1 - Week 6

• Minneapolis Staff only:

• Occasionally chaperone students while riding the bus from Minneapolis high schools (South and Edison) Monday mornings and back to the high schools on Friday afternoons

• Other duties as assigned by Program Director

Staff Schedule:

• Staff Orientation & Training:

• Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Week 1 - 5 Student College Experience in Minneapolis

• June 16 - July 18, 2025

• Monday - Thursday 4:30 p.m. until students leave for class in the morning the next day

• Week 6: Out-of-State Trip

• Monday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m.

• Week 7: Debrief Week (Debrief week, participation is flexible)

• Monday, July 28, 8:30 a.m. - Wednesday, July 30, 3:00 p.m.

• Holidays Off: June 19 & 20, June 30 - July 4, 2025

Qualifications

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, evening leisure and meaningfully engage students throughout a day's activities
• Able to work and live on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus during the week for five weeks
• 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
• Take initiative, be 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 role'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

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $22.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Reports "Americas Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMDs many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).