Join Jumpstart!

Jumpstart Program Assistants will work closely with the Site Manager both in the Jumpstart Office and at partner program sites in the community. Assistants will be trained in non-profit administration and learn the fundamentals of recruiting, training and managing volunteers, fundraising and grant reporting, and curriculum design and preparation. Basic office duties will include preparing materials, managing volunteers and staff, data collection around the efficacy of our community-base programming, contacting community members and organizations and basic non-profit administration. This is a wonderful training opportunity for any student interested in working in the non-profit field or in for those interested in working in education. 

Qualifications and Experience

Management

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to manage and organize multiple tasks (long and short term)
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage and prioritize time and responsibilities

Commitment to service

• Community service experience
• Ability to fulfill a yearlong commitment
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others

Professionalism

• Dedication to Jumpstart's mission and program areas
• Willingness to represent Jumpstart to outside groups
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Maturity and good judgement in related to Jumpstart peers, partners, and families
• Availability, dependability, and willingness to be flexible

Compensation and Benefits

• Potential to earn Work-Study award during term of service
• Extensive training in the field of non-profit management
• Unique opportunity to join a national network of individuals serving young children. 
• Invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children. 

The Jumpstart Team Leader prepares a team of Corps Members to provide educational activities for young children and families. Responsibilities include planning and implementing effective Jumpstart sessions, facilitating team meetings, and coaching Corp Members to use developmentally appropriate practices with young children. The team leader plays a variety of roles, including coach, trainer, observer, and manager, and is essential to making Jumpstart a high quality program. 

Team Leader Responsibilities

School Success

• Lead planning and implementation of Jumpstart sessions 2 times per week, this includes the facilitation of elements of the session.
• Build strong relationships with preschool staff
• Ensure high-quality service is delivered to children by Corp Members
• Support Jumpstart's ongoing assessment efforts

Family Involvement

• Assist Corps Members in developing strong relationships with children's families
• Model appropriate interactions with children's families
• Ensure that all Corps Members communicate regularly with families and develop alternative means of communications (notes, newsletters, etc.) to support Corps Members relationships with families

Future Teachers

• Support school year start-up, including Corps Member recruitment and training
• Deliver various Corps Member training and facilitate ongoing reflection
• Participate in all Jumpstart Corps Member training and additional team leader training

Communication and Administration

• Participate in weekly team leader meetings with site staff to gain an understanding of high quality session implementation and support problem-solving efforts with other team leaders
• Facilitate bi-weekly team planning meetings to allow for adequate planning and preparation for each session implementation, team building, group development and accountability
• Serve as communication link between site staff and Corps Members
• Manage administrative tasks such as Corps Member and child attendance and other documentation

Community Engagement

• Lead team during service days and other service events
• Represent Jumpstart at partner early childhood center and other community meetings

Time Commitment

• Serve 12-16 hours per week during the school year including:
  • Jumpstart session with team, 4 hours per week ( two times a week for two hours each)
  • Team planning meetings, which include planning, reflection, and/or training, 2-4 hours a week
  • Weekly meetings with other team leaders and site staff, 1.5-2 hours per week
  • Preparing for Jumpstart sessions, 2-4 hours per week
  • 3-5 hours each week in a preschool classroom during the regular school day.
• Participate in intensive training, including September Leadership Institute (over a weekend)
• Attend periodic service days, often held on weekends. 

Qualifications and Experience

Team-building experience

• Ability to lead a team of diverse Corps Members to effectively plan and implement Jumpstart sessions and various program elements
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings and training
• Experience in a leadership role, preferably with college student/peers

Management

• Ability to manage and organize multiple tasks and people
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage and prioritize time and responsibilities

Early childhood knowledge and practice

• Experience working in an early childhood setting and/or knowledge of early childhood development
• Ability to coach Corps Members and model working effectively with children and families

Commitment to service

• Community service experience
• Ability to fulfill a yearlong community service commitment
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others

Professionalism

• Dedication to Jumpstart's mission and program areas
• Willingness to represent Jumpstart to outside groups
• Willingness to seek and use available resources to support problem-solving efforts
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Maturity and good judgement in relating to Jumpstart's peers, partners, and families
• Availability, dependability, and willingness to be flexible

Compensation and Benefits

• Potential to earn Work-Study award during term of service
• AmeriCorps education award upon completion of service (up to $1,175)
• Extensive training in the field of early childhood education
• Unique opportunity to join a national network of individuals serving young children
• Invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children