CFA: THI Undergraduate Summer Public Fellowship with the Community Foundation
The Humanities Institute is excited to announce a new 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: May 25th, 2022
Positions Available: 2
Location: 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA 95003
Reports to: Engagement Officer
Hours: 10 hours/week, flexible schedule with the exception of required dates below.
THI Public Fellowship Dates: July 5th until September 21st 2022.
Required Event Dates: July 5th (3-6pm), July 28th (9am-2pm), August 2nd (3-6pm), August 10th (4pm-9pm), September 21st (9am-2pm)
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
You will learn about and assist in programs, events, and communications at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You’ll help create participatory experiences for community leaders and donors to connect around local issues facing our community. Additionally, you’ll support Rise Together, an intercultural coalition of local leaders working to advance racial equity. This internship will help you connect with and learn from nonprofit leaders across our county.
The Public Fellows will be paid $15/hour and work approximately 10 hours per week from July 5th until September 21st, 2022. Fellows may also pursue an optional $500 fall research fellowship stipend from THI to pursue a research project of their own that is connected to their work at the Community Foundation.
What you’ll be doing
- Assisting in Community Foundation Events (60%):
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.
Responsibilities include assisting in:- Planning, prepping materials, activities and logistics for events.
- Set-up, clean-up, and occasional facilitation of activities.
- Supporting the goals of our 2022 Events Strategy.
- Assisting with Rise Together (35%):
Rise Together is a group of 28 Leaders of Color 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.
- Outreach tabling at events to share the work of Rise Together.
- Writing blog posts, updating our website, and social media posts that share stories and updates.
- Supporting Rise Together’s goals and actions identified for 2022.
- Planning, prepping, set up and logistics for our Annual Rise Together Public Event.
- Assisting in Community Foundation Communications (5%):
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.
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)
- You are currently enrolled at UCSC and you will be enrolled through at least Fall 2022. (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 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)
- Students with a background in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies and Feminist Studies are strongly encouraged to apply.
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), LGBTQ+ 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.
Once the application closes on May 25th, there will be an in-person interview process. A candidate will be selected by the beginning of June.
Students can apply via the On-Campus Employment – Employee Request System, using job number 19583. *If the ER system is offline (they have been having technical difficulties) please send your application materials directly to thi@ucsc.edu.
Please contact thi@ucsc.edu with any questions.
THI’s 2022-2023 Undergraduate Public Fellowships are generously supported by the Helen and Will Webster Foundation.