The Humanities Institute is excited to announce an Undergraduate Public Fellowship opportunity for Humanities students at UC Santa Cruz to work with the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. THI’s Public Fellowships connect students in the Humanities to projects in the community, with the aim of mutually benefiting students and community organizations. Students gain first-hand experience learning about positions outside of the university that build on their studies in the Humanities and give them professional training, while, at the same time, organizations benefit from students’ assistance and academic background. THI’s Public Fellowships foster positive collaborations between the campus and community, demonstrating the value of a Humanities degree for a range of careers.
Application DEADLINE EXTENDED: Thursday, November 16th, 2023
Positions Available: 1
Location: hybrid – remote and in person at 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA 95003
Reports to: Communications Officer, Jenny Kurzweil
Hours and Payment: 15-20 hours a week, please note the required dates below. The Public Fellow will be paid $20/hour.
THI Public Fellowship Dates: December 4th – June 30th
Required Event Dates: April 12 (time TBD), April 13 (8 am – 5 pm)
About Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
The Community Foundation was born in the wake of the 1982 floods and mudslides that devastated the Pajaro and San Lorenzo valleys. Generous people looking to help were searching for a central organization to send donations to–one that would support the long-term recovery efforts. But such an organization didn’t yet exist and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County was formed to meet that need. From those humble beginnings 40 years ago, we’ve grown to address needs far beyond disaster. We steward $200 million in overall assets and our donors have helped us award $183 million in grants, loans, and scholarships across education, the arts, human services, the environment, health, and economic development. We value community-driven solutions that are based on trusted relationships with our nonprofit partners and donors.
Job description: Community Engagement Intern
Previous UCSC interns
What’s great about this job
You’ll be working on the Engagement & Impact team which works to support:
- local nonprofits through grantmaking, storytelling, and education
- graduating high school seniors achieve their dreams of higher education through our scholarship program
- local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Leaders through our Rise Together coalition
- local visual artists and arts organizations through our Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship
As the Community Engagement Intern, you’ll get to flex your writing skills; help with creative storytelling projects; build your administrative and digital muscles; connect with the community through events; and gain general knowledge and experience about working at a nonprofit organization.
What you’ll be doing
Assisting with Community Foundation Events & Santa Cruz TEDx – 30%
Events at the Community Foundation bring donors, nonprofit leaders, and organizers together to build connection, trust, giving, and action on the issues in our community. We have a combination of in-person and online events. Additionally, the Community Foundation and Rise Together will be sponsors and co-producers of TEDx Santa Cruz.
Responsibilities include assisting in:
- Planning, prepping materials, activities and logistics for events
- Set-up, welcoming, clean-up, and occasional facilitation of activities
- Taking photos
Assisting with Rise Together – 20%
Rise Together is a coalition of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Leaders and a team from the Community Foundation working to advance racial equity in Santa Cruz County. Learn more at our website.
Responsibilities include assisting in:
- Planning, prepping materials, set-up, clean-up, and occasional facilitation of activities at our monthly gatherings
- Writing blog posts, updating our website, and social media posts that share stories and updates
- Supporting Rise Together’s goals and actions identified for 2024
- Supporting the development of Rise Together’s goals actions for 2024
- Outreach tabling at events to share the work of Rise Together
Assisting in Community Foundation Communications – 10%
Communications at the Community Foundation shares stories, ideas, and opportunities to increase community connection, giving, and action.
Responsibilities include assisting in:
- Writing stories and gathering images for social media posts
- Supporting website updates
Assisting in Community Foundation Engagement work – 40%
Engagement work includes connecting nonprofits, artists, and students to resources that help build a Santa Cruz County where everyone can thrive now and in the future. You’ll help us in our role as a social sector leader where locals can collaborate to accelerate solutions to our county’s most pressing issues.
Responsibilities include assisting in:
- Helping nonprofits complete short profiles that highlight their work for our donors
- Supporting students completing online applications for scholarships
- Support events where nonprofits come together to share lessons learned
- Inputting and tracking data on the impact of the grants we make
What we are looking for:
- You are a UCSC student in good academic standing (required)
- You are a declared major or minor in a department in the Humanities Division (required)
- Humanities Division Departments: Critical Race & Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, History of Consciousness, Languages & Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy
- You are currently enrolled at UCSC and you will be enrolled through at least Spring 2024. (required)
- You are available to work a minimum of 15 hours/week during business hours (required).
- You are reliable, can meet deadlines, respond promptly, and solve problems proactively. (required)
- You bring a positive attitude to your work. (required)
- You are a thoughtful collaborator and team player. (required)
- You are not afraid to ask questions! (required)
- You are adaptive, learn from your mistakes, and are open to experimenting. (required)
- You have some experience in events, programming, or education.
- You have some experience in google docs, excel, powerpoint, canva or wix.
- You value solutions, building trust, and leveraging resources to create more equitable opportunities for Santa Cruz County.
- You’re committed to advancing racial equity in Santa Cruz County. (required)
Everyone is welcome here
Our vision is to make Santa Cruz County thrive for all who call it home, now and in the future. That starts in the workplace. We strive to build an office community where employees feel that they belong and can thrive. Learn more about our equity approach and actions. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ people, Bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
What’s great about working at the Community Foundation
Our staff and interns love making our community a better place, show appreciation and support for each other, and are aligned on our shared goals and ability to get things done. Since the start of the pandemic and through the CZU fires, we have been a team focused on helping our county get through uncertain times and we are proud of what we have done together. Our office is also a community center—in non-pandemic times—and a central part of the nonprofit sector.
In addition,
- We are five minutes from Seacliff State Beach
- Our backyard is the Forest of Nisene Marks
- We have electric car charging stations and indoor bike storage
- We have snacks and bottomless coffee and tea
- We are a staff team of surfers, dog-lovers, cat aficionados, parents, caregivers, bikers, bakers, crafters, hikers, musicians, softball players, readers, and volunteers
- We truly and deeply care about the people and places of Santa Cruz County and celebrate that our work is about helping build a safe, happy, and healthy county for everyone
How to apply:
Apply by submitting your resume with a short cover letter (no more than one page) answering these questions: Why this job? Why you? Why now?
A tip for writing this cover letter is to consider how this position will further your undergraduate career as well as your professional career once you have completed your education. Feel free to be creative here. Work in the Public Humanities does not have a rigid framework and innovation and the ability to adapt is a key component.
- Resume and cover letter resources can be found here to help you be a strong candidate.
- Please address your cover letter to Jenny Kurzweil.
Once the application closes on November 16th, 2023, there will be an in-person interview process with selected candidates, with official duties expected to begin on December 4th, 2023.
Students can apply via Handshake using Job #8230527
Please email any questions to Kylie Rachwalski, Experiential Learning Coordinator in the Humanities Division, at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu.
THI’s 2023-2024 Undergraduate Public Fellowships are generously supported by the Helen and Will Webster Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.