Job ResponsibilitiesAll STEM Outreach Specialists have the following responsibilities:
- Design and implement hands-on STEM enrichment activities for middle and high school youth to support FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams, student research projects for various science fairs, and STEM experiences for campus visits and STEAM Saturday programming.
- Communicate effectively with youth, their parents, teachers, and administrators.
- Recruitment, selection, and onboarding of program participants.
- Provide mentorship and guidance for positive youth development.
- Illuminate and support pathways to post-secondary education and workforce.
- Provide information about RIT academic programs, support services, and career pathways.
- Design and implement college and career-readiness programming.
- Design and implement programming and logistical support for the STEAM Saturday initiative and Camp Tiger Summer Day Camp.
- Represent RIT's Office of Pre-College programs and its initiatives on campus, in areas schools, and in the community.
- Chaperone participants in all program activities, including field trips offered during school breaks, Saturday programs, and over the summer. May include overnights.
- Act in compliance with RIT policies for the protection of minors.
- Provide outstanding customer service to all participants and stakeholders.
- Follow policies and procedures of the Office of Pre-College Programs, RIT, funders, and schools. Provide accurate and timely documentation of services.
- Tasks and events, as assigned, in support of the Office of Pre-College Programs and the K-12 University Center, including the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium regional event.
Additionally, outreach specialists will be assigned to responsibilities listed below based on their areas of expertise. Qualified candidates will have experience related to several of the duties listed.
- Design and implement programming to support youth development and social emotional learning with the goal of building resilience, sense of belonging, and persistence among participants. Able to identify and support at-risk and struggling students to prevent drop-out.
- Design and implement academic enrichment programming, including providing tutoring (including Regents, AP, SAT, etc.), to improve academic performance for middle and high school youth.
- Design and implement programming for parents and families of LPP and STEP participants.
- Provide individual and group-based advisement and mentoring, including the development of personal learning plans. Estimated caseload of 150 participants per full time outreach specialist.
- Facilitate programming that connects youth with RIT, including the RIT-RPHS capstone program.
- Design and implement programming - including field trips, shadow experiences, and internships - to foster college and career readiness.
- Provide advisement for college applications, financial aid, and scholarship processes.
- Design, coordinate, and lead meaningful campus experiences for youth visiting RIT (non-admissions field trips to RIT, elementary to high school).
- Support and collaborate with campus partners in the administration of youth programs, including Imagine RIT, special events, etc.
- Serve as staff for the Camp Tiger Summer day camp (elementary to high school).
- Other Duties as assigned
Additional DetailsIn compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-###-#### or email your request to ...@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.How To ApplyIn order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references. In the cover letter, candidates should indicate their areas of expertise in reference to the position description.Required QualificationsOutreach Specialist positions are dependent on grant funds. Positions based out of RIT's Downtown Center (40 Franklin St.) with services generally provided onsite at partner schools during the academic year and RIT's Henrietta campus on weekends and over the summer. Outreach Specialists must be able to participate in activities that may involve sitting or standing for long periods, long periods of walking, and lifting supplies up to 25 lbs. They must have regular access to transportation to enable travel between sites and be able to qualify (LENS) to drive RIT vans. Bachelor's degree required. Experience working with youth in an educational setting required. Successful candidates will be able to work independently on-site in schools while maintaining connection and alignment with central program administration. In-person positions with possibility for hybrid work when schools are not in session.Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree
- 1-3 years of experience outreach and education (elementary through high school).
- 1-3 years of experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds.
- 1-3 years of experience in STEM academics, research, and career pathways.
Skills:
- Outstanding customer service skills
- Experience in advising or mentoring students
- Familiarity with educational and career paths
- Knowledge of college readiness curriculums, including soft skill and middle skill development.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; must be adept at communicating with audiences of all backgrounds and education levels
- Outstanding attention to detail
- Ability to work in spreadsheets, familiarity with the Microsoft office suite
- Values and supports individual differences. Able to work with diverse populations.
- Values transparency, accountability, and communication. Embraces a team attitude.
- Ability to listen, strategize, and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
- Ability to work independently, managing and prioritizing multiple demands. Knows when to elevate issues.
What do we believe at RIT?Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).Job SummaryPlease note: the individual hired for this position will chaperone participants in all program activities, including field trips offered during school breaks, Saturday programs(Work during STEAM Saturdays during the academic year required), and over the summer. May include overnights. May include overnights. This position is dependent on grant funds. May cover costs of relocation for the position. RIT's Office of Pre-College Programs seeks experienced and highly-motivated youth development and education program professionals for part- and full-time STEM Outreach Specialist positions with RIT's K-12 University Center. Under the leadership of the Senior Director of Pre-College Programs and individual program directors, Outreach Specialists work together to implement a portfolio of pre-college initiatives that include: the RIT Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), the RIT Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), the RIT-Rochester Prep Charter High School Partnership, the Camp Tiger summer day camp, STEAM Saturday programs, and campus experiences for youth.