Job Details

Alternative Breaks Program Manager

Position Number: 6455922
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Volunteer Programs

Alternative Breaks Program Manager

Job Summary

Overview:
The Lowell Bennion Community Engagement Center at the University of Utah is a leader in community engagement and public service. The mission of the Bennion Center is to support student well-being and success by providing transformative community engagement experiences that positively impact student development and community needs. In 2020, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning classified the University of Utah as a Community Engaged Institution.
The Bennion Center's Alternative Breaks program engages University of Utah students, faculty, and staff in ethical community engagement and experiential learning over school breaks. Teams of students, along with staff/faculty partners, work with host communities to support non-profit organizations and community-identified projects. Leveraging the assets of the community along with those of the students, Alternative Breaks promotes lifelong activism by providing students with the experiences and skills necessary to build and organize communities through engagement, education, dialogue, and reflection.

Position Summary:
The Alternative Breaks Program Manager is responsible for supporting the Bennion Center's strategic priorities through successful management, oversight, and promotion of a popular and critically important community engaged program, ensuring quality student leadership and experiential learning for all participants. The Program Manager will promote active engagement through experiential learning on academic break experiences dedicated to full engagement and working in power with local and distant communities. Responsibilities include program management, developing and supporting partnerships, training, mentorship, and advising of program leaders and participants through co-curricular opportunities. This position requires tenacity, energy, flexibility, and a commitment to reciprocity and ethical community engagement.
The Alternative Breaks Program Manager is part of a dynamic and interconnected team of staff and students, and reports directly to the Associate Director Student Development and Leadership. The Program Manager is also expected to participate and engage as an active member of Bennion Center and campus-wide committees, task forces, and work groups as necessary and/or requested.
The Program Manager must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Work Standards: Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University. This position comes with a competitive compensation package including salary, benefits, retirement, and paid leave.
The role works primarily on campus (in-person) but may be eligible for alternative schedules such as one remote workday per week. Some night and weekend work is expected, and working times vary due to programming. Travel may be required. Work schedules are subject to approval.
Program History:
Since 1997, Alternative Breaks at the University of Utah has partnered teams of college students with local and distant communities to engage in justice-based and experiential learning during academic breaks. Started and run entirely by student leadership and passion, Alternative Breaks maintains this legacy of strong student leadership, with each of our experiences imagined, created, and executed by the students on our leadership team.
In 2008, these students introduced Alternative Fall Breaks to the exciting work of the program. Years later, in 2015, Alternative Weekend Breaks were introduced to provide a more accessible AB experience in terms of time and cost. In 2020, our program responded to the COVID-19 pandemic-along with the continued need for critical justice-based, engagement for communities and students-by developing safe, free, local experiences known as AB Lite. As they provide such value to our mission and our students' opportunities, we plan to continue some form of AB Lite programming following the pandemic as well.
Today, our program sends out around 20 community engagement experiences annually, each focused on a topic identified by students and driven by participants passionate about the topic themselves. Working with over 220 students and more than 85 community partner organizations each year, the Alternative Breaks program provides over 5,500 hours of direct engagement working in power with communities across the western United States.

Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSProgram Administration and Management

Create and execute high-quality, educational Alternative Breaks experiences over Fall and Spring break and some weekends throughout the semester, including partnered Alternative Breaks with other departments on campus.
Develop and/or manage systems for successful Alternative Breaks program including but not limited to student and staff/faculty partner recruitment, selections, access, training, travel logistics, risk management, safety, and assessment
supervise a part-time staff member, graduate assistant, and/or work-study student (as available)
Manage and report all programmatic administrative and financial matters.
- Collaborate with the Associate Director of Student Leadership and Development to manage key administrative aspects of the program including budget, Concur, participant forms, travel and insurance.
Cultivate existing and new campus and community partners to enhance current and future Alternative Breaks experiences
Provides on-site presence and support for events/programs, to ensure coordination of all aspects of the event/program.
Will regularly work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends depending on program scheduling
Serve as a Staff partner for Alternative Breaks experiences (as needed, based on availability)
Serve as an emergency contact during all Alternative Breaks experiences

Student Development and Leadership

Supervise the Executive Board (EBoard) - a cadre of student leaders committed to the success of the program
Advise Site Leaders as they cultivate all aspects of their individual Alternative Breaks
Encourage, educate, and mentor students in the development of their civic competencies, leadership skills, professional skills, and personal growth
Facilitate and ensure smooth communication between student participants, site leaders, staff/faculty partners, and community partners

Education and Training

Facilitate year-round trainings and retreats to prepare Site Leaders and Staff/Faculty Partners for Alternative Breaks experiences
Ensure the integration of ethical community engagement, civic engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility into all training curricula
Stay current on Alternative Breaks program best practices and implement data-driven improvements
Provide educational and direct engagement opportunities guided by the Civic Pathways

Bennion Center - General

Adhere to and foster the Bennion Center's values of action, belonging, collaboration, and integrity in all professional and programmatic matters
Represent the Bennion Center across campus and in the community
Assist in the planning, logistics, and implementation of orientations, retreats, recognition events, and reflection opportunities for the Bennion Center
Support the Bennion Center's strategic plan

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).
Four to six years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of hiring department's area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department. Master's degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences
PREFERENCES

Master's degree
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Experience with administrative effectiveness including supervision and support of students, implementation of training, and tracking outcomes
Commitment to community engagement and demonstrated life and professional experience that embodies the values of the University of Utah, Student Affairs, and the Bennion Center
Commitment to self-awareness and learning
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to serving students of all backgrounds. Ability to create and manage an organizational environment that fosters a sense of belonging for students and staff

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN42786B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: The role works primarily on campus (in-person) but may be eligible for alternative schedules such as one remote workday per week. Some night and weekend work is expected, and working times vary due to programming. Travel may be required. Work schedules are subject to approval.
Department: 00305 - Bennion Community Center
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $54,000 - $56,000
Close Date: 8/31/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/186949