2026 SMASH Academy - Community Advisor (Spelman)

SMASH•Atlanta, GA

13d•$18•Hybrid

About The Position

The SMASH Residential Team is composed of the Site Director and Community Advisors (CAs). The Site Director manages the CAs. The Community Advisors (CAs) support the Site Director (SD) to oversee the daily operations and youth enrichment components of the SMASH Academy. CAs are responsible for ~100 high school students attending the program during the duration of SMASH Academy at a full site. Reporting to the SD, CA’s build a tight-knit scholar learning community that is safe, empowering, and conducive to advancing scholars' interest in STEM and social justice. CAs promote scholar success in STEM through facilitating programming, including workshops, wellness activities, and other SMASH events. CAs also act as educational leaders (for both students and staff) to create, model, and sustain the culture. This is a 3-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training + prep prior to launch and a close out after SMASH Academy, and requires daytime availability and weekend work requirements. As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet work space for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director. You must be available for all training and program dates.

Requirements

Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations
Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when navigating situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution
Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data-based decisions
Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met
Demonstrated commitment and/or alignment and understanding of the mission of SMASH
Demonstrated effectiveness working with students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds
Will complete junior year of college by start date (preferred), or has completed at least freshman year of college and has proven, relevant experience
Comfort working with online data, tools, and platforms - which include Google Drive, Google Calendar, Slack, Canvas, SMASH Resource Library, etc.
Flexibility and professionalism a must
Ability to form positive and professional relationships with ethnically and culturally diverse youth and staff
Ability to work efficiently, both independently and collaboratively, and give and receive feedback
High competency in written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated experience in leadership, teamwork, decision-making, and working with diverse groups of individuals
Ethical, consistent, and available to students as a role model and resource
Willingness to be hands-on, conflict resolution oriented, and an active problem solver as challenges arise

Nice To Haves

Strong academic and critical thinking skills; ability to tutor high school AP math and/or science preferred (not required)
Interest or skills in sports, yoga, art/expression and/or wellness activities a plus
CPR/First Aid certification preferred (not required)

Responsibilities

Be present on site during all program hours for the duration of the program
Supervise 65 high school students (minors) during program activities; serve as a role model for responsible behavior and personal integrity
Work closely with fellow Commuter Team members to create, deliver, and fine-tune scholars’ program experience
Continuously develop personal leadership and teamwork skills to ensure the whole team functions at a high-performing level
Complete administrative duties as it relates to surveys, incident reports, scheduling, event planning and coordinating, tracking, etc.
Manage and facilitate daily scholar duties and meetings, e.g. morning arrival procedures, transition times, meal participation, community meetings, end-of-day dismissal, etc.
Collaboratively implement SMASH Curriculum, consisting of experience-based lesson plans and workshops
Coordinate and attend weekly Fun Friday activities, weekend field trips and speaker series and networking nights, all dependant on COVID-19 safety precaution protocols
Support program activities, including: scholar orientation/program closeout, Town Hall, family events, talent showcase, recognition and exhibition event, supplies inventory/packing, and staff debriefs
Manage the facilitation of scholars’ study time and collaborate with designated instructors on assignments
Plan and deliver activities for scholars to participate in during unscheduled times and supervise scholars’ unstructured free time and recreational activities
Complete all assigned deliverables on time
Adhere to COVID-19 safety precaution protocols put in place
Attend and actively engage in regular program meetings, 1:1s with site management, CA retreat, training, and debrief (see link above for specific training dates)
Communicate and uphold norms and program rules of conduct to ensure student safety, open and honest communication, and responsible student behavior.
Build and maintain positive relationships with all SMASH and university personnel; positively represent the SMASH organization and program
Act as an academic and leadership role model, while maintaining physical and social boundaries with scholars (applies to social media as well)
Supervise scholars, being that they are minors, at all times and remain attentive to their safety as well as socio-emotional needs
Create an environment that cultivates a sense of self-efficacy and personal well being
Participate in identifying scholars who need additional support and collaborate with the team, per the direction of the Site Director, to develop and deliver support plans
Uphold SMASH policies and core values
Communicate norms and program rules of conduct to ensure student safety, open and honest communication, and responsible student behavior
Report, document, and follow up on any scholar misconduct as per SMASH and university policies, expectations, and core values
Respond to any emergencies during program hours according to established protocols
Depending on the site, participate in a rotating on-call daytime shift (when scholars are in class)
Position requires walking, sitting, and standing day to day. Climbing stairs, running, and participation may be required during community activities. Lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs of supplies may be required
Address Scholar Issues through a Restorative Practices approach
Attend Staff Debrief
Ensure Completion of RA deliverables (e.g. final survey, etc.)