Brookings Learning and Success Team (BLAST) Coordinator

NOTE: Students admitted to the Student Affairs Administration (SAA) master's program receive priority consideration.

Primary Responsibilities:

To provide ongoing support and coordination for student-led service opportunities. Assist with implementation of the BLAST Program (an afterschool academic enrichment and youth mentoring program for elementary school students). Supervise forty (40) college students as they interact with the sixty (60) youth attending the program. Monitor and assess the progress of the program over the twenty-six (26) weeks of the academic-year program. Work closely with Brookings School administrators and teachers to align the academic enrichment curriculum with the academic frameworks utilized by Springfield Public Schools. Provide direct training and supervision of the undergraduate site leaders (five to six each year) and interns (varies from two to six each semester). Coordinate all aspects of the BLAST Program including, but not limited to:  recruitment of participants, training and retention of volunteers, logistical and technical support, evaluation, event and program managements, supervision of student workers, and reporting. Under the direction of the Director of the Center for Service and Leadership, serve as an outreach agent to establish partnerships at schools and community-based organizations.

Secondary Responsibilities:  

• In conjunction with others, plan, develop and implement programs and activities that encourage student participation in community volunteer and service learning opportunities.  

• Under the direction of the Director of the Center for Service and Leadership, serve as an outreach agent to establish partnerships at schools and community-based organizations.

• Conceptualize, develop and implement programs based on college student desires and community identified needs.

• Interact with schools and community-based organizations to better understand their environment and needs.

• Recruit students through residence hall programs, campus activities, and other means to increase awareness of volunteerism and service learning.

• Offer training with support to students to ensure their awareness of developmental, cultural and/or ethnic differences which may exist within the population at their placements.

• Assist students in developing learning objectives and assist with supervision of students receiving academic credit for their service learning experience.

• Present on topics related to service learning and on the operations of the programs run on and off campus at local and National level.

• Assist with coordination of College Service Fairs, College Visit Days and New Student Orientation (NSO) as necessary.

• Assist with development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of Humanics in Action Day.

• Participate in professional development opportunities offered through the Division of Student Affairs.

• Serve on committees as needed.

Desired Qualifications:  

• Experience supervising, teaching, or leading college age adults

• Experience working with youth in an educational setting or afterschool program

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• Familiarity with productivity software (Microsoft Office and Google)

• Ability to organize and initiate program and activities

• Ability to solve problems and work independently