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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Upward Bound Programs (UBP) East at Penn State University is seeking talented and motivated individuals to serve as Residential Mentors (RMs) for the 2026 Summer Academy. RM applicants should be interested in developing their leadership and mentoring skills while engaging in academic and other activities with approximately 60 high school students from Hazleton, Mifflin County, Mount Union, Newport, Reading, and Steelton-Highspire School Districts.
Job duties to include:
- Participating in a six‑week Summer Academy serving approximately 60 high school students from multiple partner school districts.
- Engaging with students in both virtual and residential learning environments.
- Attending classes and providing tutorial or academic support as needed.
- Leading and facilitating icebreakers, enrichment sessions, and student activities during virtual and residential weeks.
- Supervising students during daily activities, free time, meals, and transitions.
- Chaperoning weekly field trips and ensuring adherence to safety expectations.
- Building meaningful community among UBP participants and serving as a positive role model.
- Supporting students in completing assigned academic or project-based tasks.
- Monitoring students in residence halls and ensuring compliance with Upward Bound and University regulations.
- Participating in rotating overnight duty responsibilities as part of the mentor team.
- Leading or assisting with academic, recreational, and social programming.
- Collaborating closely with summer instructors, office staff, and program leadership.
- Performing routine monitoring duties, including check-ins, attendance tracking, and wellness monitoring.
- Assisting with end-of-program residence hall cleanup.
- Completing required program documentation, evaluations, and reports by established deadlines.
- Attending pre-summer training and all staff meetings.
Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies:
- Must have earned a minimum of 30 college credits by June 2026.
- Must be a current Penn State student or enrolled at another accredited institution.
- Ability to provide own transportation to the residential sites or board a bus at one of the high schools listed above for travel to the residential sites (listed below under Schedule) as well as to Wednesday educational field trip destinations during the three virtual weeks.
- Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with high school youth from diverse backgrounds.
- Capacity to model maturity, sound judgment, common sense, and professionalism.
- Ability to enforce program and university policies consistently and objectively.
- Must pass all required background checks for working with minors.
- Preferred experience working with youth in residential or educational settings.
- Ability to collaborate with a team and adapt to a fast-paced, student-centered environment.
- Must not enroll in summer courses or maintain additional employment (except possibly on weekends) while serving as an RM.
- Position may qualify as an internship depending on academic requirements.
Schedule:
- Summer Academy Dates:
- Operates Monday, June 15 – Friday, July 24
- Provided time off on weekends and official holidays (Juneteenth and July 4).
- Includes three virtual weeks (weeks of June 15, June 29, and July 13) with in-person field trips on Wednesdays.
- Includes three residential weeks at the following Penn State campuses:
- University Park (June 21-26)
- Altoona (July 5-10)
- Brandywine (July 19-24)
- Training:
- Mandatory RM training is held at University Park the week prior to the summer program start (June 7-11). RMs must provide their own transportation for this training.
- There may be some virtual training opportunities offered prior to June 7.
- Work Expectations:
- Daytime, evening, and rotating overnight responsibilities during residential weeks.
- Virtual weeks occur from 9 AM – 4 PM on weekdays. Hours may be extended for field trips on Wednesdays.
- Required to reside in the student residence hall during all residential components.
- Compensation & Benefits:
- $15.00 per hour for both virtual and residential weeks.
- The usual work week is 40 hours, but it could be fewer during virtual weeks.
- Room and board provided during all residential weeks. However, room and board is not provided during virtual weeks.
- Meals are included during working hours.
- Program-related admission fees (tickets for museums, science centers, and other activities) are provided.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity 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.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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