Employment at LeadAmerica

At LeadAmerica, we're passionate about student development. We believe that college and career readiness skills and mentorship from role models are essential to a student's future success - the key to what they will do with their lives and how well they do it. Exploring team building, networking, communication, conflict negotiation and developing a sense of personal ownership for their futures can make important differences in the lives of teenagers - in their academic and personal performance, in their acceptance to the college of their choice and in the level of their focus, passion and purpose that will ultimately lead them to successful college graduation and entry into their career field of choice.

We look for people who are highly motivated, enthusiastic and share our vision for educating, inspiring and instilling in our youth principled values – ones that become the foundation for sound, ethical decision making. Each year, hundreds join LeadAmerica's conference staff, working and growing with like-minded people to help bring the LeadAmerica experience to middle and high school students from around the world.

LeadAmerica is definitely an exciting and rewarding place to work, where the demands and commitments placed on you will challenge you and cause you to experience great personal growth as well.  Find out if employment with LeadAmerica is right for you!

Employment Opportunities at LeadAmerica
(*Please note:  Applicants for LeadAmerica Intern and Conference Staff positions must be eligible for employment in the U.S.)

Academic	Operations
Program Director Program Coordinator Team Leader / Support Team Leader	Operations Director Operations Coordinator Alumni Intern

Academic Positions:

Program Director (PD)

The Program Director is responsible for oversight of all academic elements of a specific LeadAmerica program - delivering the highest quality curriculum, true-to-life simulations and college-level work. This includes direct and indirect facilitation of the designed curricula, adapting to any scheduling conflicts, actively coaching and supervising academic staff and resolving challenges as they arise. The Program Director ensures that the objectives and quality of the conference remains true to the LeadAmerica academic vision.  Program Directors report directly to the Program Manager, with oversight from the Director of Academics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the highest quality of academic program components including but not limited to: delivery of lectures/case studies, guest speaker management, off-site(s) coordination and simulation(s) execution
• Training, certification and performance evaluation of the academic staff
• Recommending adjustments to program schedules as a result of challenges encountered during program execution while maintaining the overall quality of the program 
• Addressing student health/safety concerns and behavioral issues while keeping constant communication with staff
• Communicating program progress via daily phone communications with the Academic Program Manager and through submission of daily online program status updates
• Coaching and encouraging Team Leaders to enhance morale and team cohesion
• Providing direction and coaching to the Program Coordinator
• Participating in all mandatory daily meetings with the Senior Leadership team to ensure the success of the conference
• Debriefing the day's accomplishments/challenges with the Academic Team at the nightly meeting and planning for the following days' schedule
• Participating fully in daily activities and meetings as schedule permits – including arrival and departure responsibilities, programming and pre- and post-conference meetings with the entire conference staff

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States. On-campus housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR CONFERENCE DAY AT A GLANCE (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up – Shower - Breakfast
8:45 - 9:30	Present academic specific lecture.
9:45 - 11:00	Observe students during program activities (e.g. – simulation, success skills, etc) in classrooms while evaluating staff performance.
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch. Review off-site details and assignments with the Program Coordinator
1:00 - 5:00	Meet with students and staff to depart campus for the field excursion. Check in with staff members periodically throughout the event to ensure safety, security and accountability. Arrive back on campus. Recap previous day events and prepare for the following two days with the Academic Program Manager (by phone).
5:00 - 6:00	Dinner.  Meet with evening’s guest speaker
6:00 - 7:00	Attend speaker presentation taking detailed notes to be used during student back-brief and daily online report. Present speaker with gift and thank you card
7:30 - 9:00	Attend daily Senior Leaders meeting with site leadership. Prepare for next day’s events. Observe the evening classroom activities
9:00 - 10:00	Submit daily on-line Program Director report. Review any incident reports related to disciplinary or health issues.
10:30	Lead nightly general staff meeting to recap the day’s events and plan for next day’s activities.
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as a Program Director.

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Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator is responsible for the direct oversight and coordination of the logistical elements of a specific LeadAmerica program.  These include but are not limited to: assigning and overseeing daily tasks of Academic Team staff and remaining in constant communication with them throughout a program day to ensure effective execution of all aspects of the program. The Program Coordinator is essentially the daily task manager of an academic program.  He or she is the first point of contact for student and staff concerns and privately discusses all student disciplinary/health/safety issues with the Program Director.  The Program Coordinator takes direction from and reports directly to the Program Director,

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating all logistical aspects of the program
• Assuming global ownership for the flawless execution of all aspects of the academic program, in conjunction with the Program Director
• Developing rosters and assigning daily responsibilities to Academic Team members
• Understanding and fulfilling Academic Team needs in terms of equipment, resources, and facilities
• Acting as academic liaison when working alongside Operations Team – primarily with the Operations Coordinator
• Maintaining constant communication with the Program Director regarding all staff, student and program issues
• Managing VIP/Guest Speaker photo opportunities (assignment of photo duty through digital capture)
• Serving as the first point of escalation for student concerns and/or discipline
• Participating fully in daily activities and meetings – this includes responsibilities on arrival and departure days, programming and pre- and post-conference meetings with the entire conference staff
• Participating in all mandatory daily meetings with the Senior Leadership team to ensure the success of the conference
• Updating staff on any necessary changes, disseminating assignments for the succeeding days, and providing other coordinating information as needed during the nightly staff meeting

Requirements:

• Undergraduate Degree (preferred -- at least college upperclassman), Graduate degree and/or professional experience in a directly related field is preferred;
• Prior experience executing LeadAmerica programming preferred
• Prior experience, background knowledge and/or course related work in the field of study highly desirable
• Prior experience in a professional teaming environment required
• Demonstrated emotional maturity, with a positive attitude
• Organized and highly efficient in time and task management; detail-oriented and highly responsible
• Availability to travel and reside on college campus(es) for the duration of the contracted commitment (expectation is 1 – 2 months)

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States. On-campus housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONFERENCE DAY AT A GLANCE (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up – Shower – Breakfast. Stop by office to ensure assigned Team Leader signed out the digital camera.
8:45 - 9:30	Review field excursion assignments, pick up bus signs in the office, confirm buses with Operations Coordinator
9:45 - 11:00	Present field excursion briefing to students. Ensure last minute changes to field excursion have been confirmed and communicated with the Program Director and Team Leaders.
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch. Meet with Program Director and then Bus Captains to discuss field excursion logistics. Contact Operations Coordinator to determine if buses have arrived to campus
1:00 - 5:00	Meet with students and staff to depart campus for the field excursion. Check in with staff members to ensure safety, security and accountability. Arrive back on campus and dismiss staff and students for dinner.
5:00 - 6:00	Dinner. Coordinating and finalizing classroom space changes with the Operations Director
6:00 - 7:00	Notified by Team Leader to escort sick student back to the dorm.
7:30 - 9:00	Attend daily Senior Leaders’ meeting. Discuss and review schedule alongside the Program Director in order to brief Team Leaders during the nightly staff meeting.
9:00 - 10:00	Confirm Team Leaders’ assignments during student personal time.
10:30	Participates in nightly general staff meeting to discuss the day’s events and cover following days’ activities from a logistical perspective.
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as a Program Coordinator.

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Team Leader / Support Team Leader

Team Leaders facilitate workshops and group interaction with students throughout the conference. They are the "front line" in ensuring the day-to-day safety and security of students and that students receive the best possible conference experience. Team Leaders are assigned a group of students (approximately 15 – 18) to direct through all success skills activities and simulations. They assist faculty, guest speakers, the Program Coordinator and the Program Director as needed. Team Leaders attend all lectures, social gatherings, meals, field excursions and residence hall floor meetings. They also serve as Resident Advisors conducting room checks and serve as a point of contact for after-hour emergencies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as the initial point of contact for all student issues
• Leading students in simulation groups and success skills activities
• Briefing students for academic lectures, guest speakers and field excursions and encouraging active participation in Q & A sessions
• Completing and submitting required onsite reports within specified deadlines
• Maintaining accountability for the safety and security, actions and behavior of their students at all times
• Serving as Resident Advisors in the residence halls:
  • Resident Advisor duties require flexibility, enthusiasm and ability to coach student residents
  • Assumes primary responsibility for responding to the personal needs of assigned students Conducts nightly bed checks and serves as emergency after hours contact
• Executing program responsibilities assigned by the Program Coordinator
• Exercises judgment when communicating confidential student information to other staff members
• Assisting in the LeadAmerica onsite office when needed
• Full participation in daily activities and meetings as schedule permits – this includes arrival and departure responsibilities and programming and pre and post conference meetings with the entire conference staff
• Attend mandatory daily general staff meeting to review current day and following days’ events led by the Program Coordinator

Requirements:

• Undergraduate upperclassman; undergraduate degree preferred with graduate training (graduate/law/medical) a plus
• High energy, motivated team player with enthusiasm and experience for working with high school or middle school students
• Coaching/tutoring/mentoring experience highly desirable
• Knowledge of the program topic, course work and/or professional experience in a related field a must
• Public speaking and teaching experience are preferred 
• Availability to travel and reside on college campus(es) for the duration of the contracted commitment (expectation is 1 – 2 months)

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States, housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

Support Team Leader

Support Team Leaders are responsible for assisting in academic workshops and day to day activities designated by the Program Director. They are the "front line" in ensuring the day-to-day safety and security of students and that students receive the best possible conference experience. They assist faculty, guest speakers, Team Leaders, the Program Coordinator and the Program Director as needed. Support Team Leaders attend all lectures, social gatherings, meals, field excursions and residence hall floor meetings. Additionally, Floating Team Leaders may be asked to assist the Operations Team with administrative duties related to the program/venue which includes taking and downloading photographs, setting up audio visual equipment, inventory program supplies, etc. They also serve as Resident Advisors conducting room checks and serve as a point of contact for after-hour emergencies. If needed, they may fill in for a Team Leader as a result of sickness or forced attrition.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as the initial point of contact for all student issues
• Assisting Team Leaders with leading students in simulation groups and success skills activities
• Completing and submitting required onsite reports within specified deadlines
• Maintaining accountability for the safety and security, actions and behavior of students at all times
• Serving as Resident Advisors in the residence halls:
  • Resident Advisor duties require flexibility, enthusiasm and ability to coach student residents
  • Assumes primary responsibility for responding to the personal needs of assigned students Conducts nightly bed checks and serves as emergency after hours contact
• Executing program responsibilities assigned by the Logistics Coordinator
• Exercises judgment when communicating confidential student information to other staff members
• Assisting in the LeadAmerica onsite office when needed
• Full participation in daily activities and meetings as schedule permits – this includes arrival and departure responsibilities and programming and pre and post conference meetings with the entire conference staff
• Attend mandatory daily general staff meeting to review current day and following days’ events led by the Logistics Coordinator

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States, housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

TEAM LEADER CONFERENCE DAY AT A GLANCE (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up. Shower. Breakfast. Pick up necessary supplies in the onsite office including digital camera.
8:45 - 9:30	Arrive 15 minutes before students at designated rally point. Ensure students are dressed properly and have nametags and binders. Walk students to the auditorium for a program lecture. Take accountability of students as they enter the lecture hall. Lead students in an icebreaker activity before the lecture begins. Supervise students during presentation.
9:45 - 11:00	Facilitate and debrief success skills activity in the classroom.
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch. Sit with students and answer any questions about the program. Inform students of the rally time and location.
1:00 - 5:00	Meet with students at the rally location. Load buses and take accountability of students. Depart for field excursion after confirming 100% accountability with Bus Captain.  Inform students of rally location and time.  Supervise and maintain safety, security and accountability of students throughout the field excursion.  Meet students at designated rally location and depart for campus.  Before unloading bus, inform students of any pending schedule changes.
5:00 - 6:00	Dinner. Prepare for evening activities.
6:00 - 7:00	Arrive 15 minutes before students at designated rally point. Ensure students are dressed properly and have nametags and binders. Walk students to the auditorium for guest speaker. Take accountability of students as they enter the lecture hall. Lead students in an icebreaker activity before the lecture begins. Supervise students during presentation.
7:30 - 9:00	Debrief field excursion and guest speaker.  Contact Program Coordinator about student health concern.  Mediate student issue within your team.  Prep students for upcoming simulation activity. Facilitate simulation activity, address student questions and review the next day’s events.  Provide rally time and location for following day’s activities.
9:00 - 10:00	Take accountability and supervise students during social event. Complete bed checks and answer any student questions.
10:30	Attend nightly general staff meeting to discuss today’s events. Prepare for the upcoming next two days. Complete incident report for students who have health and disciplinary issues and give to Program Coordinator.
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as a Team Leader.

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Operations Director

The Operations Director is responsible for oversight of all operational and logistical aspects of a specific conference venue. This includes but is not limited to: all issues relating to facilities and logistics, vendor relations (conference services, housing, dining/catering, transportation, printing, shipping, etc.), student/staff safety, security, accountability and discipline and resolving challenges as they arise. While not directly involved with facilitation of academic materials, the Operations Director is tasked with ensuring program quality by supporting the academic staff through proactive planning, preparation, and flawless execution of venue logistics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring that all logistical aspects of the program are operating efficiently and effectively, including on-time transportation, classroom availability and set up, quality meals, promotional merchandise sales/inventory and supervision of smooth office operations
• Overseeing and addressing student safety/health/behavioral issues
• Training, certification and performance evaluation of the academic staff
• Communicating program progress via daily phone communications with the Venue Manager and through submission of daily online program status updates
• Providing direction and coaching to the Operations Coordinator and Alumni Intern(s)
• Participating in all mandatory daily meetings with the Senior Leadership team to ensure the success of the conference
• Debriefing the day's accomplishments/challenges with the Academic Team at the nightly meeting and planning for the following days' schedule
• Participating fully in daily activities and meetings as schedule permits – including arrival and departure responsibilities, programming and pre- and post-conference meetings with the entire conference staff

Requirements:

• Undergraduate Degree required, Graduate degree and/or professional experience preferred
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with students, parents, staff and venue/vendor representatives
• Demonstrated past leadership and/or supervisory skills preferred
• Proven ability to operate under pressure, handle stressful situations and multitask
• High energy, motivated team player with enthusiasm for working with middle and high school students
• Must have exceptional management, leadership and supervisory skills with ability to delegate and oversee successful execution of daily assignments
• Demonstrated emotional maturity, with a positive attitude
• Organized and highly efficient in time and task management; detail-oriented and highly responsible
• Availability to travel and reside on college campus(es) for the duration of the contracted commitment (expectation is 1 – 2 months)

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States. On-campus housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR CONFERENCE DAY AT A GLANCE (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up. Shower. Breakfast. Open onsite office. Check emails and voicemails.  Send the Alumni Intern to verify that classrooms are unlocked and set up properly
8:45 - 9:30	Return parent phone call regarding ill student. Have Alumni Intern complete inventory of supplies which arrived the day prior. Communicate with Venue Manager Coordinator about the additional supply needs
9:45 - 11:00	Instruct Operations Coordinator to set up merchandise sales table. Check with Operations Coordinator that buses and field excursions have been confirmed. Back-brief Program Director regarding parent phone call.  Meet with students and Program Manager about disciplinary issues from previous day
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch. Go by venue services office to report AC issues and power outage in the onsite office
1:00 - 5:00	Send Operations Coordinator to Office Depot to pickup program handouts.  Confirm with Operations Coordinator that the buses are onsite, driver information collected and bus signs posted. Review money ledger; prepare initial portion of online daily report.
5:00 - 6:00	Dinner. Deal with a student issue in the on-site office. Have the Operations Coordinator contact admissions at Home Office about the status of Departure Day reports
6:00 - 7:00	Work with office staff to prepare closing packets. Take student to the nearest pharmacy for prescription pick-up
7:30 - 9:00	Attend daily Senior Leaders meeting with site leadership. Prepare for next day’s events. Observe the evening classroom activities
9:00 - 10:00	Make sure that the financial reports are updated and ready for submission. Submit the daily online Operations Director Report with financial documents attached
10:30	Wrap up the day’s work and close the office
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as an Operations Director.

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Operations Coordinator

The Operations Coordinator is responsible for the direct oversight of all functions of the onsite office – essentially the nerve center of the conference venue. The Operations Coordinator is responsible for onsite book-keeping, records and forms, maintenance of office supplies and Conference materials, handling student issues as required and working with the Program Director, Program Coordinator and Operations Director to ensure that the logistics of the program run flawlessly. The Operations Coordinator works closely with the Operations Director and Alumni Intern to confirm field excursions, buses, guest speakers, meals and other conference specifics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Reconciling and updating financial reports daily
• Coordinating site communication while serving as the primary point of contact with the home office and academics staff
• Act as the Onsite Airport Liaison on Arrival Day while relaying travel related communications between home office, parents and the airport staff
• Attends all mandatory daily meetings with the Senior Leadership team to ensure the success of the conference
• Participating fully in daily activities and meetings as schedule permits – this includes arrival and departure responsibilities and programming and pre and post conference meetings with the entire conference staff

Requirements:

• Undergraduate Degree (preferred -- at least college upperclassman), Graduate degree and/or professional experience in a directly related field is preferred;
• Prior experience executing LeadAmerica programming preferred
• Prior experience, background knowledge and/or course related work in the field of study highly desirable
• Demonstrated emotional maturity, with a positive attitude
• Organized and highly efficient in time and task management; detail-oriented and highly responsible
• Strong computer, analytical and communication skills
• Enthusiasm and ability to work in a fast-paced office environment and under pressure
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with students, parents, staff and facility representatives
• Availability to travel and reside on college campus(es) for the duration of the contracted commitment (expectation is 1 – 2 months)

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States. On-campus housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included. 

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Conference day (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up. Shower. Breakfast. Open onsite office with Operations Director. Review photos from the previous day for proper sorting and labeling. Make sure cameras are ready to go for today’s events.
8:45 - 9:30	Inventory promotional merchandise to match up numbers from previous day’s sales and pre-stage them for current day’s sales table.
9:45 - 11:00	Confirm buses and retrieve drivers’ information. Confirm field excursions. Take phone call and document message in the phone log. Assist Alumni Intern with the set up of sales table.
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch (after Operations Director returns to ensure adequate Onsite Office coverage).  Assist students with any issues (illness, administrative or otherwise).  Go to campus post office to pickup a package from the Home Office.
1:00 - 5:00	Pick up handouts from Office Depot and Home Office staff member from the local airport. Notify Operations Director you are returning to campus. Contacting Program Coordinator regarding a parent phone call because student lost ATM card during the field excursion.
5:00 - 6:00	Eat dinner. Contact admissions at Home Office about the status of Departure Day reports.  Call bus company and verify bus for Departure Day.
6:00 - 7:00	Prepare closing packets with Alumni Intern.  Maintain office while Operations Director is off campus.
7:30 - 9:00	Attend daily Senior Leaders meeting with site leadership. Prepare for next day’s events. Observe the evening classroom activities. Start preparing end of session paperwork.   Finalize and reconcile all financial reports for the daily online Operations Director report.
9:00 - 10:00	Check on the ill student who went to the pharmacy with Operations Director.  Review and prepare program handouts with the Program Coordinator for tomorrow’s activities.
10:30	Wrap up the current day’s work and oversee closing down site office for day.
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as an Operations Coordinator.

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Alumni Intern

The Alumni Intern(s) works closely with the Operations Coordinator to support operations for the conference. He/She assists with office communication, room and audio-visual set-up, event confirmation, inventory and organizational responsibilities. The Alumni Intern assists with general onsite office administration and should be available for any student/parent needs or questions.  The Alumni Intern(s) is responsible for managing all onsite photos.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performing administrative and conference support duties as assigned by the Operations Coordinator/Operations Director
• Acting as a point of contact for incoming communication to onsite office via phone, email, instant message, fax, etc.
• Checking and reporting on all incoming/outgoing shipments for US Mail, UPS and Freight
• Ensuring availability and proper set-up of facilities before all scheduled events
• Setting up audio-visual equipment for all lectures, guest speakers and Opening/Closing Sessions
• Assisting with the onsite office set up and breakdown, inventory and shipments
• Taking, labeling and filing conference photos on a daily basis. Prepare slideshow presentation for the Closing Session
• Submitting photos for the conference Facebook page with descriptions on a daily basis (or as directed)
• Participating fully in Arrival and Departure day activities including pre and post session meetings with the entire conference staff

Requirements

• Undergraduate LeadAmerica Alumnus
• Organized and detail-oriented with administrative and operational experience
• Professional experience using Microsoft Office programming, audio-visual equipment, digital cameras, LCD projectors and fax machines required
• Ability to effectively communicate and multitask
• Knowledge and prior experience with taking and managing digital photos
• Availability to travel and reside on college campus(es) for the duration of the contracted commitment (expectation is 1 – 2 months)

Compensation:

Compensation includes travel to and from mandatory staff training and to conference venue assignment(s) within the continental United States. On-campus housing, most meals, cell phone allowance, airline baggage reimbursement (1st bag only) and modest monetary stipend for each session worked are also included.

ALUMNI INTERN CONFERENCE DAY (sample):

7:00 – 8:30	Wake up. Shower. Check with Operations Director to confirm any immediate tasks requiring attention prior to breakfast. Breakfast. Pick up laptop from the onsite office and ensure lecture hall is unlocked for the today’s activities.
8:45 - 9:30	Assist Operations Coordinator in inventorying office supplies.
9:45 - 11:00	Take photos of the classroom activities.
11:30 - 12:30	Lunch (coordinate timing with Operations Director and Operations Coordinator to ensure adequate Onsite Office coverage).  Assist students with any issues (illness, administrative or otherwise).
1:00 - 5:00	Accompany Academic Team on the field excursion to take quality photos and assist with safety, security and accountability procedures.
5:00 - 6:00	Verify classroom space is unlocked and properly set up.
6:00 - 7:00	Dinner. Prepare closing packets with the Operations Coordinator.
7:30 - 9:00	Cover administrative duties in the onsite office while Operations Coordinator and Operations Director are in the mandatory daily senior leaders meeting. Organize program supplies for the following day’s activities.
9:00 - 10:00	Download, file, name and store all photos off of digital camera from current day’s activities. Put the camera batteries on charge for following day’s usage.
10:30	Wrap up the current day’s work and assist with closing down site office for day.
11:30	Lights out.

*This is a sample day and examples of what you will experience as an Alumni Intern

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