Summary - This is a residential position

The VISIONS Pre-College Program was developed specifically to meet the needs of students who are blind who are considering attending college after they graduate high school. The program addresses the educational, social, recreational, mobility and residential aspects of the college experience. The program is also designed to assist in making a determination as to the readiness and potential success of the participants as college enrollees. The students take an Intro to College Life course, as well as a distance learning writing course. Workshops related to college life and weekend excursions are offered to build social skills.

The Program Assistant works under the supervision of the Program Director and the Assistant Director to aid with providing programming for the legally blind youth participants. Program Assistants primarily work during social/recreational activities, but may also help with the facilitation of educational/rehabilitation focused activities. The Program Assistant serves as a primary source of empowerment and guidance throughout the pre-college experience for the participants. The Program Assistant also plays an important role in the quality of the dorm life experience for the participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Effectively communicate and operate as a member of the team which includes the Program Director, Assistant Director, COMS/CVRT, Technology Specialist, Academic Specialist, and Manhattanville University staff.
• Serve as a mentor to students at all times providing empowerment for self-esteem, guidance for social and academic adjustment, and motivation for stepping out of their comfort zone and increasing self-awareness.
• Create and facilitate weekly evening activities for cultivating a dorm life environment of inclusion, socialization, and excitement.
• Meet weekly with other Program Assistants for planning events/activities. Report all supply requests to the Program Director at least three days in advance.
• As assigned, provide support to students who are completing homework assignments, having technology difficulties or doing laundry and other activities of daily living.
• Report any observations regarding the participants’ academic and iPad performance to the Academic Specialist and Technology Specialist
• Enforce Manhattanville campus and Pre-College program policies, rules, and procedures. Notify the Program Director/Assistant Director of any violations.
• Ensure that participants maintain the dorms (rooms, suite areas, and common-living area). Provide participants with reinforcement of skills taught by COMS/CVRT. Report any challenges and concerns to the Program Director/Assistant Director.
• Monitor the safety of the participants on and off campus, encourage participation and provide support during trips.
• Respond immediately to emergency situations, contact campus safety if needed, report any accidents/ injuries/ incidents to the Pre-College Director and Assistant Director and write an incident report.
• Assist with carrying and unpacking deliveries of furniture and boxed program supplies.

This also includes arranging the communal spaces and packing supplies at the end of the program for storage.

• Aid the Program Director in the preparation, setup, and facilitation of the end of program ceremony.
• Maintain notes about participant progress and challenges including changes in student’s visual, physical, cognitive and/or emotional functioning and report this information to the Program Director
• Treat everyone with appropriate dignity and respect and encourage respect, sensitivity and understanding for individuals and their differences
• Actively work to create an atmosphere in which participants understand the value of these community life requirements and accept responsibility for their own actions

Minimum Qualifications

● Current college student or recent graduate. Majoring in the human services field a plus, but not required.

● 21 years of age or older

● Willing to reside on campus and share dormitory accommodations

● Computer literate in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, email and tele-communication platform (Zoom, Teams, etc.).

● Desire and ability to work with teens who are blind or visually impaired

● Willingness to work extended hours in a residential setting for four weeks (July 13 - August 9, including staff training on July 12th).

● Ability to accept guidance and supervision

● Must be organized, self-starting, assertive, resourceful and goal-oriented.

The salary for this role is $4,875 for the period of July 12 – August 9, 2024.

This full-time exempt professional position is located at VISIONS Pre-College Program at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.

VISIONS is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit vision rehabilitation and social service agency

incorporated in 1926. VISIONS provides service for blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area.

VISIONS is an equal opportunity employer. All job candidates, consultants, volunteers, and interns 18 years of age and older, must consent to a background investigation after a preliminary job offer, references and education verification.

Job Types: Temporary, Contract

Pay: $4,875.00 per month

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person