Summer Site Associate

About Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented students who have lacked access to higher education on the path to college, and inspires high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. BTSV’s seven-year college access and success program, which supports students from 7th grade to first year of college, has proven to be effective in preparing these students for college: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates attend college immediately after high school.

BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for talented students from underserved communities who will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience, providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to expand access to educational opportunities, design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators, and learn about the K-12 system.

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 25 Breakthrough sites across the country.

The Position

We are hiring three Summer Site Associates for Summer 2025 — two will work out of our middle school sites, and one will work out of our high school site. The Summer Site Associates report to the Director of Admissions and Middle School Programs.

The Summer Site Associates play an instrumental role in supporting the success of BTSV’s nationally recognized summer program. This six-week program for our incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students seeks to introduce and develop the core behaviors, values, and skills the rest of our six-year program reinforces. BTSV’s summer program is a unique hybrid of summer school and summer camp, where students get to take rigorous academic classes and participate in activities that develop college-going behaviors and mindsets, all in an environment that promotes the idea that learning is fun and it’s “cool to be smart.”

You’ll work directly with the Dean of Students and summer staff at one of our three summer sites to ensure a positive, productive, and safe experience for all participants. You’ll oversee the process and management of all things related to facilities and logistics at your site to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to the needed rooms, space, technology, and supplies to execute a strong and successful program. This will include everything from coordinating the transport of supplies and ensuring classrooms are set up at the beginning of the summer and packed up at the end of summer; managing the relationship with our host schools and troubleshooting facilities issues with their custodial and IT staff; maintaining campus safety protocols; supporting with supervision during student pick up and drop off (as needed); and overseeing the summer food program and distribution of meals and snacks.

You’ll also support the planning of events to promote the building of community and culture among students and staff which includes our co-curricular activities, field trips, and special events. You’ll be a key point of contact for BTSV staff and faculty on-site as well as BTSV students and families.

Each day throughout the summer will look different!

What background and skills do you have?:

• You’re a rising college junior or senior, or a recent college graduate
• Experience working with students, preferably middle school or 9th-grade students, and an unwavering focus on students’ best interests
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement projects with attention to detail
• Flexible problem-solver with a can-do attitude; willing to support where needed
• Communicative and able to responsibly pose questions and ask for clarification whenever necessary
• Proficient with Google Suites
• Reliable access to transportation
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and open-minded, demonstrates a desire to continuously learn and grow, thinks creatively to solve problems, and works with a sense of humor and humility.
• Passion for Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals

Bonus points if:

• You’re majoring in education or a related field
• You have experience at a nonprofit youth development or educational organization, particularly one focused on college access for aspiring first-generation college students
• You’re bilingual (Spanish or Vietnamese)

We know that many strong candidates will not have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!

Location, Commitment, and Compensation

This is an in-person position in San Jose, located at partner schools in the San Jose Unified School District, Franklin-McKinley School District, and East Side Union High School District.

You must be available for the duration of the program to be considered — note that this may not be compatible with quarter-system academic calendars.

• Orientation and Training: June 9-13, 2025
• Summer Program Planning + Logistics: June 16 - 25, 2025
• Summer Program: June 26 - August 1, 2025
  • M/W/F: 7:45 AM-4:15 PM
  • Tu/Th: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
• Wrap-up Week: August 4 - 8, 2025
• Occasional evening or overtime work at special program events may be required. Exact hours are subject to change depending on the needs of the program.

This is a temporary hourly, non-exempt (overtime-eligible) position. You will be paid $20 per hour.

Application Process

Apply online through this site and attach your resume and cover letter as PDFs. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

• Priority application deadline: Friday, January 17, 2025, 11:59 PM
• Final application deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:59 PM

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds, and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.