Upward Bound Programs Part-Time Residential Mentor

Overview

Upward Bound Programs (UBP), which includes Upward Bound Altoona (UBA) and Clairton & McKeesport (UBCM), is hosting a 2026 Summer Academy and is seeking five talented and motivated summer Residential Mentors (RMs). RMs will develop leadership and mentoring skills while engaging in academic and social activities with approximately 40 students from Altoona, Clairton, and McKeesport High Schools. The Summer Academy operates from June 16 through July 31, with RM training in June.

RMs must provide their own transportation to/from the Altoona or Greater Allegheny campus for departures of field trips or residential stays.

The six-week Summer Academy consists of three weeks virtually with a weekly in-person field trip, plus three weeks in a residential format: the week of June 21 at Penn State Greater Allegheny, the week of July 12 at Penn State Beaver, and the week of July 26 at Penn State Altoona. Camp responsibilities may include attending classes, providing tutorial support, leading icebreaker activities, supervising students, chaperoning weekly trips, attending staff meetings, and completing program documentation and evaluations by established deadlines.

RMs will help build a sense of community with UBA participants and perform other duties as assigned by UBP staff.

The residential camps offer a taste of college life with all participants being minors. Students from Upward Bound Clairton & McKeesport and Upward Bound Altoona will participate in each week. Responsibilities may include establishing a supportive, encouraging, and welcoming environment in the residence hall; serving as a role model with sound judgment, maturity, and common sense; ensuring the well-being and safety of all students and staff;

enforcing UBP and University regulations; working with a small group of students to complete projects; planning and leading academic, social, and recreational activities; collaborating with the program's teachers, office staff, and others; chaperoning groups on activities on and off campus; monitoring participants; performing regular monitoring duties (e.g., free time check-in, meal check-in, sick duty); and assisting with residence hall cleanup at the end of the summer program.

The position requires daytime and evening responsibilities, with overnight duty on a rotating basis as part of a larger team. There may be virtual components of the Summer Academy. All RMs are required to stay in the student residence hall during the residential components. Hourly pay is $12.00/hr room and board during the three residential weeks and any meals that occur during working hours will be provided.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have earned a minimum of 30 credits by the beginning of June 2026 and must be a current Penn State student or currently enrolled at another institution. Preferred candidates will have experience working with youth in a residential setting. Candidates cannot schedule classes or hold additional employment while employed by UBP. There will be some time off during weekends and on the Juneteenth and 4th of July holidays.

Application and Selection

If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter plus complete the PSU web application. Review of materials will begin soon with interviews starting in March. UBP is a federally funded program that prepares low-income, first-generation high school students for future success in college. UBP is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity at Penn State, which supports diversity and inclusion initiatives.

For more information about UBP, please visit our website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student): please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Do not apply here; apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) seeking Penn State employment: please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Do not apply here; apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the external applicant process.

Remote Work – 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.

EEO Statement

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…