Summer Works Research Assistant

Application components include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (please detail your interest in the position and preference rankings of Success Coach specialties)
• 1-2 page excerpt of any piece of writing that you're proud of

Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan is seeking a research assistant for SummerWorks, the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program. This is an exciting opportunity to play a role in programmatic activities including offering close support, mentorship, and guidance to participating young adults and employers.

SummerWorks provides internships, mentorship, and professional development to young adults aged 16-24 throughout Washtenaw County. It is a joint partnership between the Washtenaw County Office of Economic Development, Michigan Works! Southeast, Poverty Solutions, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and other community and campus partners. Through community engagement and partnership, SummerWorks seeks to address a long history of disinvestment and systemic racism in education and employment in Washtenaw County by providing professional development, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities to young adults. To learn more about SummerWorks, click here. (summerworks.info)

This Research Assistant will be primarily responsible for:

• Attending and supporting all program events (April-August)
• As a team, facilitating weekly Professional Development sessions
• Support Summerworks PD coordinator in editing PD recordings, and uploading as needed to YouTube, Google Classroom, and the SummerWorks website
• Take photos and videos at events to document the summer as well as for future use in marketing materials.
• Respond to communication from youth, parents, employers, and mentors as needed in time of support
• Be an additional resource to youth, aside from their success coach, which could look like:
  • Conducting mock interviews
  • Providing resume feedback
  • Holding office hours
• Survey Distribution and Follow Up
• Drafting one-page policy briefs based on SummerWorks data and evaluation

• 1-2 years graduate-level course work or 3-4 years undergraduate course work related to youth development, education, public health, social work, public policy, administration, or other related fields.
• Experience working with youth, ideally from underserved communities
• Experience planning and/or coordinating programs or events, either professionally or as a part of student organizations
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Research Assistants need to be organized, able to take initiative, detail-oriented, collaborative, personable, adaptable, and willing to learn.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

The Research Assistant is expected to be available and work 10 hours per week during the duration of the program (April-August).

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.