Job Description: Program Assistant for Summer Studies Programs

Employment

General Information about Duke TIP Summer Studies

The DukeTIP campus-based Summer Studies Program offers academically gifted students in grades 7-10 the opportunity to learn highly challenging material at a rate commensurate with their advanced abilities. Students enroll in a single DukeTIP-designed course for three weeks of in-depth study and attend nearly 40 hours of class each week between Monday morning and Saturday afternoon. The Summer Studies Program is offered on several college campuses. The program provides young scholars the unique opportunity to experience college classroom instruction and residence hall life. Highly qualified Instructor/Teaching Assistant teams teach classes of approximately 18 students. Outside the classroom, a carefully selected staff of Residential Counselors supervises students during meals, free time, and planned social and recreational activities.

The Academic Program Assistant Position

Academic Program Assistants (APA) assist with all academic aspects of the Summer Studies Program. APAs are supervised by the Academic Coordinator (AC). In addition, Academic Program Assistants work closely with other staff members to accomplish the overall mission of the program by attending to the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of program participants. Academic Program Assistant responsibilities include day and evening commitments on weekdays from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Also, APAs may be required to occasionally supervise a one-hour Evening Study after dinner Monday through Thursday. In addition to supervising students in and out of class, APAs attend instructional staff meetings, complete projects during the day as assigned, and assist the residential staff on student arrival and departure days. Detailed responsibilities include, but are not limited to, items listed under Specific Duties.

Qualifications

A minimum of two years of college coursework, including some concentrated study in subject areas relevant to Duke TIP course(s), is required; candidates nearing completion of undergraduate coursework or currently pursuing graduate-level studies are preferred. Experience teaching or tutoring is helpful, as is staff or participant experience with programs for the academically gifted. Applicants must possess a genuine interest in the academic, social, and emotional growth of adolescents, exhibit maturity and a positive attitude, and be willing to serve as a role model for students. Applicants must be able to work as part of a team; organize projects; explain and enforce TIP rules; and support the efforts of the Instructors, Academic Coordinator, and other administrative staff. There is a driving requirement for this position. Eligible drivers must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, have an approved driving record on file, and be willing to drive students in Duke TIP vehicles (cars, minivans, 8-passenger SUVs).

Specific Duties

Academic Support

Assist with preparation for student arrival including classroom preparation, student file review, and other duties as needed.
Foster an environment conducive to students’ educational goals.
Be available to help students with questions or concerns about their academic coursework.
Assist with academic supply distribution at the beginning of each term and with academic inventory at the end of each term.
Assist with special classroom activities and labs that require additional staff involvement.
Assist with Evening Study as needed.

Student Supervision

Get to know students at Duke TIP, and assist with students when a TA is unable to be in the classroom.
Serve as a positive role model and resource for all students.
Be a visible and accessible presence on campus. Be aware of student concerns and incidents, and immediately report critical information to your supervisor.
Provide additional student supervision on academic field trips.
Supervise students during morning and afternoon breaks and during walks to and from classes.
Assist with student supervision during lunch. At some sites, occasional lunch duty assignments may be required.
Respond to student emergency situations at all times. Follow emergency protocol outlined in training.

Student Discipline

Work with the Academic Coordinator (AC) and other staff members to establish appropriate methods of articulating program and academic expectations.
Enforce TIP rules consistently and fairly. Follow up immediately on student behavior incidents as directed during training.
Document noticeable changes in behavior, concerns about students, and discipline issues as directed during training.

Team Membership

Assist in student arrival and departure day procedures.
Attend instructional staff meetings as directed by the Academic Coordinator (AC).
Provide support and assistance to other TIP staff members.
If living on campus, assist with emergencies that may arise in the residence halls.

Administration

Complete a written program evaluation at the end of the term.
In the event that a TA must unexpectedly leave his or her position, Academic Program Assistants may be asked to assume the responsibilities of that TA.
Perform other duties assigned by the AC and On-Site Director, or other TIP administrative staff.
Program Assistants must be eligible drivers as there is a driving requirement for this position. Eligible drivers must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, and have an approved driving record on file and be willing to drive students in Duke TIP vehicles (cars, minivans, 8-passenger SUVs).

General Expectations

Arrive on your contracted start date at the specified time and location.
Perform all contractual duties at the assigned times.
Support the Duke TIP Mission and all administrative decisions.
Abide by all Duke TIP policies and procedures.
Attend all designated orientation sessions and all scheduled meetings during the term.
Residential Program Assistants, Residential Counselors, Residence Hall Leaders, Residence Life Coordinators, and On-Site Directors are required to live in program-sponsored housing, return to the residence hall by 2:00am, and sleep in assigned rooms each night. (On off-duty nights, residential staff may sleep off-campus or in assigned rooms.) Overnight guests are not permitted in program-sponsored housing on or off campus.
Academic Program Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Instructors, Academic Coordinators, Psychological Counselors, Operations Coordinators, and Office Assistants may choose to live either in program-sponsored housing or off campus; those living on campus are not required to spend every night on campus. However, on each night spent on campus, staff members must return to their residence hall by 2:00am and sleep in assigned rooms. Overnight guests are not permitted in program-sponsored housing on or off campus.
Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits and seatbelt regulations, when transporting students or driving Duke TIP vehicles for other business purposes. Duke TIP vehicles may not be used for personal errands.
Refrain from the following strictly prohibited activities:
- Consuming alcoholic beverages in the presence of students or at any time at the program site (including, but not limited to, housing facilities, classrooms, parking lots, athletic fields, etc. ) regardless of the distance from Duke TIP's designated area.
- Returning to campus in an inebriated condition.
- Possessing, selling, distributing, or using illegal drugs.
- Inviting guests to visit the residence halls or to stay overnight in residence hall rooms.
- Using tobacco products in the residence hall or in the presence of students.
- Using inappropriate language, including profanity, discriminatory statements, and sexual innuendoes.
Maintain professional relationships with all staff members. Relationships and/or conflicts among staff members should never interfere with the proper performance of duties.
Maintain professional relationships with students at all times.
Enforce all student rules fairly and consistently according to the policies outlined in training.
Abide by all policies set forth by the host institution.
This position requires a full time commitment. Holding other jobs or taking classes during the contracted time period is prohibited.