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Continuing Education Programs

    Pre-University Programs Summer Positions

    See yourself working with middle and high school students?  Planning a career that involves mentoring youth? Looking to acquire valuable experience? Share your love of USC with others! Learn more about the positions and apply today.

    We are looking for the best and brightest!

    Pre-University Programs in the Office of Continuing Education and Conferences at USC is accepting applications for the summer 2024 residential program director, residential and non-residential summer camp mentors. These positions will serve as university ambassadors and mentors to gifted and talented middle and high school students participating in academic summer programs, including the Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series, and Summer Program for  Research Interns from the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

    Learn more about the job requirements below and contact our office if you have any questions.

    Job Responsibilities

    • Serve as a mentor for middle school and high school academically talented students, in grades 6-12
    • Be responsible for the care of program participants to include supervising meals, transportation, coordinating academic schedules, bed-checks and waking up scholars.
    • Work alongside faculty, attending classes with participants. Supervise scholars during all activities, assist with disciplinary actions, coordinate emergency care and attention, and be a mentor academically, socially and personally.
    • Help prepare welcome packets, welcome signs, name badges, check-in and check-outs. 
    • Provide the utmost respect at all times to scholars, mentors, clients, instructors and CEC professional staff.
    • Follow confidentiality guidelines when handling scholar, mentor and CEC professional staff medical information.
    • Assist scholars and instructors during instructional time. Lounging, talking, texting or work that is not related to the program is prohibited during class. You must be alert and attentive at all times.
    • Be responsible for the care of scholars on any field trips to include making sure all USC risk management policies are followed.
    • Present a positive image of USC by means of a tidy appearance, a pleasant and helpful disposition, a positive attitude and responsive action.
    • Maintain an accurate and up-to-date listing of personnel, location of personnel, services available on campus, and Columbia telephone numbers. Greet and receive inquires in a polite and courteous manner.
    • Conduct orientations for summer academic programs. Interact with parents/family members and respond to parental and group leader concerns.
    • Follow USC purchasing guidelines when buying supplies, program materials, paying activity fees and other expenditures for the summer programs.
    • Operate a lost and found department in accordance with university policies and procedures.
    • Submit reports as required and provide necessary follow-up.
    • Operate a computer database and update new information immediately upon check-in of camp/program participants. Assist with meeting room set-ups and work special events as needed.
    • Assist the Pre-University Programs coordinator, the residential program director, and CEC professional staff with other projects and duties as assigned.

    The residential program director is responsible for coordinating and planning the on-site needs of all academic summer groups.

    Duties include:

    • Responsible for and plans each group’s activities to include programming, academic and social learning
    • Responsible for all correspondence associated with these groups
    • Coordinates and works with faculty, professionals, and counselors to facilitate events
    • Responsible for staff scheduling and conducting weekly and nightly meetings with staff and with SPRI residential participants
    • Serve as customer service representative for event and program participants
    • Assist in hiring, training and directly supervising residential and day mentor staff
    • Responsible for adhering to budgets and following procurement procedures for each program
    • Responsible for keeping emergency information, health records and other important records for scholars and counselors
    • Responsible for programming, development and discipline of scholars and counselors
    • Creates and carries out mid-summer and end-of-the-summer evaluations of all programs and staff under their direction
    • Attends management meetings and assists the Pre-University Programs coordinator and other professional staff of Continuing Education and Conferences with other duties as assigned
    • Observes counselors and scholars during classes and activities
    • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including filling in for counselors on duty or in class when needed
    • Assists with weekly housing room assignments and reports
    • Assists with all other projects and duties as assigned

    Requirements:

    • Applicant must be at least 21 years of age by May 1, 2024
    • The residential program director is required to live on campus in summer housing with the rest of the staff and program participants
    • Leadership and supervisory experience
    • Experience working in student development and/or residence life preferred
    • Willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings and be on call
    • Must have good oral and written communication skills
    • Must have excellent organizational and administrative skills
    • Must be responsible, dependable and punctual
    • Must have the ability to interact with people from all sectors of the university and community

    Compensation

    • $14/hr during spring office hours for training and preparation
    • $15/hr during the summer; 40 hours/week
    • On-campus housing included in exchange for on-duty hours
    • Includes meals (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) at selected conference-dining facilities when monitoring scholars/scheduled to work a shift
    • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a nametag. 

    Residential camp mentors are responsible for monitoring, advising, and counseling middle and high school students during flexible shifts that include day, evening, after-hours and weekends. Residential mentors are required to work during camp check-in on Sunday. Schedules vary depending on the program. 

    Requirements:

    • Residential mentors are required to live on campus in summer housing with the rest of the staff and camp participants. 
    • Must be willing to work flexible hours including day, evening and some weekend shifts, and to be on duty to cover 24 hours/day.

    Compensation

    • Compensation is $14/hr; up to 40 hours/week.
    • On-campus housing included in exchange for on-duty hours
    • Includes meals (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) at selected conference-dining facilities when monitoring scholars/scheduled to work a shift. Some other meals are also included.
    • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a nametag. 

    Non-Residential camp mentors are responsible for monitoring, advising, and counseling middle and high school students Monday through Friday. Day mentors are also required to work Sunday afternoons for check-in and orientation. Schedules vary depending on the program.

    Requirements:

    • Day mentors are not required to live on campus. 

    Compensation:

    • Compensation is $14/hr; up to 40 hours/week.
    • Includes meals (breakfast and lunch) at selected conference-dining facilities when monitoring scholars/scheduled to work a shift
    • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a nametag. 

     

    Application Requirements

    • You must be enrolled at USC-Columbia and be a rising sophomore or above. USC Columbia graduate students are also encouraged to apply.
    • You must have at least at 3.25 GPA (cumulative)
    • You must be able to get along with others, possess positive time management skills, and work well under pressure. You should enjoy working with middle and high school students, be self motivated, and have a positive attitude.
    • You must be willing to work a very flexible schedule.
    • You must have a valid driver’s license by the employment start date without significant points or safety violations. Employment is contingent upon review of driving record and a background check. A driving record will be requested of final candidates.
    • You must wear a standard uniform and adhere to personal conduct and hygiene standards.
    • Due to the nature of the programs and the work schedule it is discouraged to have a second job or internship.

    Apply today!

     

    Important Dates for 2024

    Staff training will be compensated and completed at various times.
    All staff are required to attend all training activities.*

    Training will be conducted at 6 p.m. once a month in February, March, and April.

    *Flexibility with dates if there are conflicts with class

    Dates of employment for counselor positions will be Jan. 7 - July 26, 2024.


    Questions?

    If you have additional questions about the positions or our Pre-University Programs, email pups@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803-777-9444.


    Learn More about Pre-University Programs

    Pre-University Programs through the Office of Continuing Education and Conferences at USC offers educational programs for academically talented students in grades 4 through 12. Students are able to jumpstart a future career, refine skills in an array of topics, engage in interactive learning and exploration, meet new friends, and discover student life at USC.


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