"Alternative Breaks Program Manager"

The Lowell Bennion Community Engagement Center at the University of Utah is a leader in community engagement and public service. The mission of the Bennion Center is to support student well-being and success by providing transformative community engagement experiences that positively impact student development and community needs. In 2020, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning classified the University of Utah as a Community Engaged Institution.

The Bennion Center's Alternative Breaks program engages University of Utah students, faculty, and staff in ethical community engagement and experiential learning over school breaks. Teams of students, along with staff/faculty partners, work with host communities to support non-profit organizations and community-identified projects. Leveraging the assets of the community along with those of the students, Alternative Breaks promotes lifelong activism by providing students with the experiences and skills necessary to build and organize communities through engagement, education, dialogue, and reflection.

The Alternative Breaks Program Manager is responsible for supporting the Bennion Center's strategic priorities through successful management, oversight, and promotion of a popular and critically important community engaged program, ensuring quality student leadership and experiential learning for all participants. The Program Manager will promote active engagement through experiential learning on academic break experiences dedicated to full engagement and working in power with local and distant communities. Responsibilities include program management, developing and supporting partnerships, training, mentorship, and advising of program leaders and participants through co-curricular opportunities. This position requires tenacity, energy, flexibility, and a commitment to reciprocity and ethical community engagement.

The Alternative Breaks Program Manager is part of a dynamic and interconnected team of staff and students, and reports directly to the Associate Director Student Development and Leadership. The Program Manager is also expected to participate and engage as an active member of Bennion Center and campus-wide committees, task forces, and work groups as necessary and/or requested.

Program Administration and Management: Create and execute high-quality, educational Alternative Breaks experiences over Fall and Spring break and some weekends throughout the semester, including partnered Alternative Breaks with other departments on campus. Develop and/or manage systems for successful Alternative Breaks program including but not limited to student and staff/faculty partner recruitment, selections, access, training, travel logistics, risk management, safety, and assessment. Supervise a part-time staff member, graduate assistant, and/or work-study student (as available). Manage and report all programmatic administrative and financial matters. Collaborate with the Associate Director of Student Leadership and Development to manage key administrative aspects of the program including budget, Concur, participant forms, travel and insurance. Cultivate existing and new campus and community partners to enhance current and future Alternative Breaks experiences. Provides on-site presence and support for events/programs, to ensure coordination of all aspects of the event/program. Will regularly work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends depending on program scheduling. Serve as a Staff partner for Alternative Breaks experiences (as needed, based on availability). Serve as an emergency contact during all Alternative Breaks experiences.

Student Development and Leadership: Supervise the Executive Board (EBoard) - a cadre of student leaders committed to the success of the program. Advise Site Leaders as they cultivate all aspects of their individual Alternative Breaks. Encourage, educate, and mentor students in the development of their civic competencies, leadership skills, professional skills, and personal growth. Facilitate and ensure smooth communication between student participants, site leaders, staff/faculty partners, and community partners.

Education and Training: Facilitate year-round trainings and retreats to prepare Site Leaders and Staff/Faculty Partners for Alternative Breaks experiences. Ensure the integration of ethical community engagement, civic engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility into all training curricula. Stay current on Alternative Breaks program best practices and implement data-driven improvements. Provide educational and direct engagement opportunities guided by the Civic Pathways.

Bennion Center - General: Adhere to and foster the Bennion Center's values of action, belonging, collaboration, and integrity in all professional and programmatic matters. Represent the Bennion Center across campus and in the community. Assist in the planning, logistics, and implementation of orientations, retreats, recognition events, and reflection opportunities for the Bennion Center. Support the Bennion Center's strategic plan.