Work College BereaCorps Associate

Berea-College; Berea (KY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Berea College in Berea, KY, offers a grant-funded, one-year position with possible renewal. The Work College Program Office seeks a Program Associate to help manage student position descriptions and grow the OCSE off-campus summer program, coordinating closely with the Office Manager and Support Coordinator.

The role emphasizes front-office administration, collaboration, and mentorship of students. Weekend/evening availability and strong organizational skills are preferred.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree from Berea College, preferably completed within the last two years.
• Experience in higher education or working with diverse faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and students.
• Strong understanding of Berea College principles and Great Commitments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily front office administration to maintain office operations.
• Manage student position descriptions across campus and update as needed.
• Co-manage OCSE with the Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator.
• Coordinate site visits, orientation sessions, and observer meetings for OCSE.
• Supervise and mentor students; coordinate with departments on compliance.
• Support program logistics and front-office responsibilities as required.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Independent work

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Mentoring students

Supervising students

Digital media experience

Education

Undergraduate degree from Berea College

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Argos

Banner

Job description

This is a grant-funded, one-year position, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Under the general direction of the Dean for the Work College Program and direct supervision of the Associate Dean, the BereaCorps Program Associate, working with the Work College Program team, assists in the operations and implementation of programs under the purview of the Work College Program, with particular focus on managing student position descriptions across campus and growing the BerevaCorps Off-Campus Summer Experience Program (OCSE). The Associate works within a highly collaborative, team-based organization, providing hands‑on skills, knowledge, and project management to address the training and educational needs of a multifaceted, decentralized, and diverse Work College Program, and partners closely with the Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator on front‑office operations and shared program logistics.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assist, as needed, in daily front office administration and systems in order to maintain the Work College Program Office’s operation.
• Partner closely with the Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator on shared front office responsibilities, scheduling, and program logistics.
• Manage the process for student position descriptions across campus, including the creation of new positions and facilitating updates and edits for existing positions.
• Edit and approve suggested updates to student position descriptions.
• Monitor and maintain active student position descriptions across campus and communicate and facilitate meetings with departments that are non-compliant.
• Co-Manage the Work College Program Off-Campus Summer Experience (OCSE) in collaboration with the Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator.
• Track students and organizations interested in participating in OCSE.
• Assist potential OCSE students in researching, contacting, and interviewing with non‑profit organizations and summer employers.
• Track and monitor students participating in OCSE, including ensuring they are completing the expectations established by them and their employer, such as hours, tasks, and evaluations.
• Schedule and coordinate site visits for OCSE organizations.
• Design, plan, organize, and facilitate interest sessions for students interested in participating in OCSE.
• Design, plan, organize, and facilitate orientations for both students and organizations/supervisors participating in OCSE.
• Take notes and provide support for the student and supervisor concerns meetings.
• Other roles/duties as assigned to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.
• Following long‑standing tradition and practice at Berea College, this position includes responsibility for supervising, mentoring, and developing students in the College’s integrated Work College Program. This supports student learning, career readiness, and the program’s learning goals and outcomes. The Work College Program provides a developmental framework that guides student learning while creating a structured mentorship opportunity, with role‑specific training that equips faculty and staff mentors to support student development. Faculty and staff mentors play an essential part in helping students connect their work‑learning‑service experiences with broader academic, professional, and personal development. For faculty, this aligns with Berea’s tenure and promotion criteria.

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Undergraduate degree from Berea College, with graduation within the past two years.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• History of success in a higher education setting and/or working collaboratively with diverse faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and students.

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong understanding of and appreciation for the Berea College purpose and Great Commitments.
• Ability to work independently and recognize opportunities and create effective strategies to engage prospects with Berea College resulting in increased support.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated personal traits of initiative, integrity, discretion, patience, persistence, good judgment, and a strong sense of self.
• Attention to detail, creativity, and problem‑solving skills, and the ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to learn and execute varied tasks is essential.
• The capacity to integrate disparate information and to organize and prioritize complex tasks.
• Ability to work with and supervise students.
• Ability to partner effectively with the Office Manager & Work College Support Coordinator on shared front‑office responsibilities.
• Availability to work weekends and evenings as necessary.
• A strong social media and/or digital media background is preferred.

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Required background check.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to climb stairs, operate office equipment, and move light office furniture and supplies.
• Ability to navigate campus and public buildings and grounds.
• Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Environmental conditions:

• Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff, and faculty.
• Occasional travel required for meetings, conferences, and OCSE site visits.
• Weekend work as necessary.

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Computer literacy and strong aptitude for the following tasks: use of internet and email; navigating Argos and Banner; data entry; word processing; experience with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Standard office equipment (copier, cell phone, office phone system/voicemail, and GPS navigation system).
• Vehicle — college vans/cars.