Graduate Assistant – Community Engagement Programming, Simmons University, Boston, MA

Posted January 24, 2019

Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons University offers the many benefits of a small university in the nation’s best “college town”.  Simmons has a cherished history of visionary thinking and social responsibility, and a strong mission that has remained constant for over a century; to provide transformative learning that links passion with lifelong purpose. 

 

Simmons Community Engagement facilitates and promotes community-based learning and develops strategic partnerships to advance learning, promote civic engagement, and enhance community involvement in order to create a more just society.  During the past century, innovative and long- term partnerships between Simmons and the Boston community have influenced social welfare reform, improved K-12 schools, established public health programs, supported libraries and literacy, and helped empower women.  Today, more than 40 programs and initiatives connect Simmons with its Boston neighbors, including schools, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. 

 

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Student-Led Community Service, the Graduate Assistant will play a key role in connecting undergraduate students to the Boston Community and strengthening Simmons reputation as a community engaged university.   This role will contribute to Simmons’ mission of enriching and expanding student co-curricular experiences. 

 

In collaboration with the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, and other campus partners, the Graduate Assistant will assist with research, development, and implementation of on and off-campus programs designed to enhance the undergraduate student experience and benefit the Simmons community. This role enhances opportunities for community engagement by fostering a supportive, positive and impactful environment while connecting Simmons undergraduates to one another, local agencies, and to the Boston community.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

• With the Assistant Director for Student-Led Community Service, provide students with community and civic engagement opportunities that support and connect Simmons undergraduates to each other, to the Boston community and to local organizations consistent with the mission and goals of Simmons Community Engagement
• Assess students interests using vehicles such as surveys, focus groups, etc.
• Review existing Simmons and best practice research to determine student interests and inform program development to meet first year students’ interests and needs
• Maintain and foster new relationships with community organizations to expand student engagement opportunities
• Contribute to the development and execution of programming that enables students to reflect and connect with one another sharing across the multiple experiences they have in the community
• Collaborate with Simmons departments and programs that support first year students in an effort to enhance and support student retention initiatives

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience with a minimum of 1 year of relative work experience required
• Previous experience in similar role preferred
• Prior experience in higher education or the non-profit sector a plus
• Ability to work collaboratively with others toward a common goal;
• Excellent engagement and relationship building skills with external community partners, as well as stakeholders of all organizational levels across a diverse environment
• Strong organization and communication skills

Position Details:

• This position may be required to work occasional nights or weekends 
• This role is a part-time position (20hrs/week)

Instructions to Applicants: Please submit a resume and cover letter in the Resume/CV section of your application. To view the full application and apply, please follow this link. 

As a University committed to diversity, Simmons encourages applications broadly.  Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body and curriculum.