About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) Civic Initiative (CI) business unit is dedicated to promoting democracy through education in both the U.S. and abroad. Select groups of students, scholars, and professionals from around the world come to the UMass Amherst campus and travel to other regional sites for various short term exchange programs. Programs are designed for attendees to improve their leadership skills, increase their subject knowledge, and learn about U.S. culture. Programs are based on engaging participants through active learning, integrating classroom readings, lectures, and discussions with community-based, collaborative projects that offer practical, real-life experience.
Mentors at UMDI CI provide administrative and organizational assistance to the Civic programs, assisting with the day-to-day functions. This will include, but not be limited to, supporting the academic director and program manager with administrative tasks and communication, and assisting with planning and organizing the schedule for each day. Mentors will have a unique opportunity to host small and large group sessions on social, cultural, and academic issues. In addition to facilitating participants' programming (virtual and/or in-person) and creating a positive environment for the participants, mentors are expected to be present and engaged with the participants during small group and project activity. The mentors provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about American culture, norms, and discuss program content areas in an informal setting; similarly, mentors are able to learn about the participant's home countries. This cross-cultural exchange represents an important aspect of the CI's mission, by developing more substantive connections and understandings of different cultures, norms, and values.
Essential Functions
The listing of Civic Initiative Mentor functions include, but are not limited to:
Other Functions
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Additional Details
Work Schedule
This position is seasonal and day-to-day schedules will vary depending upon program needs. Mentors will work 10 or more hours per week based on program structure and timeline. This program may include virtual sessions that must take place within participant time zones.
Salary Information
$15.00 an hour.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.