Summer Community Advisor (SCA) at UPenn - ESF Inc

Position Summary

The Summer Community Advisor (SCA) will share the responsibility of making each student, conference, and program participant feel welcome on Penn’s campus. The Community Advisor acts as a university liaison and campus resource for approximately 30-60 students residing in on-campus housing during the summer months. This position requires administrative, programming, and judicial duties pertaining to your residents. The Summer Community Advisor reports to the Summer Residential Director. This position serves in the weekly duty rotation for after-hours student issues. This is a live-in position, and free on-campus housing is provided. The Summer Community Advisor's required duties include but are not limited to establishing and maintaining relationships with residents by meeting on a weekly basis. Be sensitive and aware of potential issues and how to address them in a supportive manner. Create programming that supports the needs of your residents. Respond to residents’ academic, social, and personal concerns/questions in a timely manner. Serve as an advocate for the student’s needs and concerns. Balance the student voice with the institutional needs. 

Why BOLD Summers?

• Inspire Young Minds: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of college students while receiving comprehensive training and support.
• Unleash Your Potential: We offer internships, fieldwork, and overall professional development opportunities.
• Become a Leader: Gain valuable leadership experience as you supervise and mentor students.
• Positive Environment: Experience being part of a team guided by BOLD Core Values.

Extra Perks:

• Free on-campus housing is provided
• Flexibility for other commitments over the summer!

Position Scope

• Staff will arrive on Monday, June 20, 2024, for check-in at the University of Pennsylvania. The BOLD Summers and UPenn Hospitality Services team delivers orientation, training, and equipping. Staff are required to stay for the duration of the program and will conclude their role on August 17.
• Staff must participate in the staff training, which will take place from May 22 through May 24.
• Staff will be provided with a list of "high-value dates" and will be expected to be available.
• Summer students arrive on Monday, May 27, 2024, and depart on Saturday, August 10. Students assigned to the SCA may vary by week.

Requirements

A high school diploma and prior experience as a Residential Advisor (RA) is required, along with a letter of recommendation from the Graduate Advisor (GA) or House Dean you reported to. Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Must possess excellent leadership skills and the ability to adapt well to unexpected situations. Must take direction well and promote a team atmosphere; should possess excellent attention to detail and a strong work ethic. Must represent the University of Pennsylvania in a positive manner and be able to work collaboratively with students, administrators, and other members of the Penn community. A comprehensive background check will be undertaken for this position.

Required Training: Complete all training, background screenings, and other pre-employment credentials required by BOLD Summers and the state of Pennsylvania.

Familiarize yourself with the Team Handbook.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Besides meeting new friends and having fun together, our Residential Advisors/Counselors work hard, too, with their primary functions being:

• Community Building: Establish and maintain relationships with residents by meeting on a weekly basis.  Be sensitive and aware of potential issues and how to address them in a supportive manner.  Create programming that supports the needs of your residents.   
• Resource Person: Respond to residents’ academic, social, and personal concerns/questions in a timely manner.  Serve as an advocate for the student’s needs and concerns.  Balance the student voice with the institutional needs.
• Administration: Complete paperwork in a timely manner. Abide by all information center expectations, complete room inventories, and public area inventories. Construct and maintain bulletin boards, informational signs, and other decorations as directed. Attend all trainings and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Community Rights and Responsibilities: Communicate, role model, and consistently enforce University policies, the Residential Handbook, and the Occupancy Agreement.  Make referrals when appropriate to other campus and community agencies. 
• Teamwork: Serve as part of a living community team working with the Hospitality Services professional staff to uphold the mission of the University and Hospitality Services.  Provide clear and frequent communication with team members.
• Transition: Prepare floor/building for transition to summer housing from academic year operation and from summer housing to academic year operation.   
• Duty: Be on duty as assigned, serving as the first point of contact in the event of a resident concern or emergency.  Report all emergencies and student incidents to the supervisor.  

Accept assignment of limited other duties as deemed necessary by Hospitality Service leadership. 

Additional Requirements:

• Push/pull, lift, and carry a minimum of thirty-five (35) pounds on campus.
• Respond swiftly, calmly, and responsibly to emergency situations.
• Have fun!

Reporting Relationships

Summer Community Advisors (Residential Advisors) report directly to the Residential Director and the Bold Summers full-time directors.

This job description is subject to change.

Organization Overview:

BOLD Summers is powered by ESF Camps & Experiences. ESF has been a vital influence in the camp industry since 1982. ESF (Education, Sports, and Fun) features award-winning camp programs in PA, NJ, NY, CT, MD, and DE for people of all ages. We are considered one of the country’s leading camp companies and people developers.

Our portfolio includes 40 nationally recognized day camps in multiple states (www.esfcamps.com), baseball camps with the Philadelphia Phillies, and basketball camps with the Philadelphia 76ers along with the Brooklyn Nets. In the coming year, ESF has recently launched new programs, including BOLD Summers, our pre-college academic program. We also have 2 non-profit foundations: Dream Camp offering after-school mentoring & summer camps for underserved youth in PA & CT and Acting Without Boundaries providing unique acting programs for youth with physical disabilities.