Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Service Learning & Community Engagement, the Graduate Assistant for Service Learning Trips will provide administrative, training and assessment support to the implementation of the University’s service-learning curricular and co-curricular programs. This includes coordinating and executing 8-10 service learning trips (both domestic and international experiences) over the course of the academic year. Trips take place over Fall Break, Spring Break, and Summer. This is a two year, 20 hours/week appointment not to exceed 800 hours per year. Commitment runs from approximately August 1st – May 30th each of the two years.
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree required, current enrollment in one of the programs in the Graduate Program in Higher Education Leadership at Messiah University.
Experience Required: Experience working in cross cultural contexts (facilitating short-term international teams preferred) and administrative or event planning experience.
Skills, Characteristics Required for Position:
- Office management skills including supervisory, administrative and strong organizational skills
- Strong time management with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Exemplifies effective customer service and excellent interpersonal relationship skills
- Excellent small group facilitation skills (i.e., comfortable leading others in training, reflection, etc.)
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well with diverse constituency, both on and off-campus audiences
- Relates well to college students
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Detail oriented
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Christian faith commitment required
Special Working Conditions: Requires a valid PA driver’s license as driving is necessary to assist with select off campus programs (i.e. Fall training, staff retreats, etc.); occasional weekend and evening hours depending on meeting schedules and campus events.
Primary Duties:
- Coordinate logistics, including scheduling & booking of service learning experiences.
- Assist with announcements, publicity, and recruitment for service learning programs.
- Explore opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration when planning and recruiting for service trips.
- Liaison with the Development Office to coordinate fundraising programs and budget reports for service trip teams.
- Serve as a mentor and advisor to student service learning trip coordinators.
- Assist in the planning and organization of leader training, participant orientation, and re-entry retreats.
- Attend curricular and co-curricular meetings, as requested by the Director of Service Learning & Community Engagement.
- Under the direction of the Director, coordinate risk management protocols and establish best practices, policies and procedures for service learning trip programs.
- Capture stories of impact from student service trip participants and design an annual newsletter to share with donors.
- Plan and facilitate training to support international service learning team(s).
- Handle e-mail, phone calls, and messages related to service learning inquiries.
- Maintain consistent and reliable attendance.
Secondary Duties:
- Assist with major service learning programming (i.e., MLK Day, Service Day, student training), as available.
- Partner with Campus Ministries to facilitate a 4x4 chapel series related to a topic of service & missions.
- Other duties as assigned.