SAVY Organized Recreational Activities Assistant

Location: Nashville, TN (in-person)

Reports to: Director, Day Programs

2027 Job Description:

Summer Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (SAVY) is a summer day program for academically advanced students in rising 1-8 grades. Students take classes taught by master teachers and/or content experts. The SAVY classroom assistant is responsible for supporting students and instructors each week. Students take one course for a week, from approximately 8:30AM to 3:30PM. Organized Recreational Activities (ORA) provide a 25-30 minute PE/structured recess non-academic time for students in each course each day. The ORA Assistant will assist the ORA Instructor each day. 

Team Expectations:

• Serve as a role model for all student participants and colleagues.   
  
• Thrive in a fast-paced, demanding work environment that requires flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and compassion. 
  
• Adhere to PTY’s policies related to confidentiality.  
  
• Exhibit professionalism, strong work ethic, and integrity within the workplace. 
  
• Be willing and able to work toward the collective goals of the SAVY program.  
  
• Engage willingly as a team player with humor, enthusiasm, and growth mindset.   
  
• Possess cultural and personal awareness of our diverse community. 
  
• Uphold and practice SAVY community values, regulations, and expectations.   
  
• Successfully pass the Vanderbilt University criminal background check and online training for working with minors.  
  
• Agree to, and adhere to, all duties before, during, and after the program as outlined in the staff materials.  
  

ORA Assistant Expectations:

Within their wide array of duties and responsibilities, SAVY ORA Assistants manage four domains of responsibility:  

1. Program Support — Supervise students, support accountability of students and instructors for program schedules and policies, help facilitate SAVY arrival and dismissal car line, adhere to and support compliance of program and university policies including the protection of minors, guidelines and regulations, and provide additional support as determined by administrative staff.  
   
2. Logistical Support — Set up for ORA activities and other duties necessary to the smooth operations of the SAVY day. Assist with time management and class schedule, support and lead student transitions around campus, and assist with classroom materials as needed.  
   
3. ORA Support — Assist with classroom management and engagement during Organized Recreational Activity time. ORA Assistants may also coordinate meetings with ORA instructors before the program to help prepare for the session activities.  
   
4. Student Support — Liaise with appropriate staff about students’ social-emotional needs. Work with students K-8 and set ORA expectations and support students as they meet those expectations. 
   

Program Dates and Times:*

Start dates are flexible. ORA Assistants may work multiple sessions but are not expected to commit to all seven weeks. Preference will be given to applicants who are available for multiple weeks in the summer. ORA Assistants should be available a minimum of three sessions. 

• Staff Training: June 2-4
  
• Session 1: June 7-11
  
• Session 2: June 14-18
  
• Session 3: June 21-25
  
• Session 4: June 28-July 2
  
• No Student Programming: July 5-9
  
• Session 5: July 12-16
  
• Session 6: July 19-23
  
• Session 7: July 26-30
  

The standard hours are approximately 7:30AM to 4:15PM on Mondays and 8:15AM to 4:15PM Tuesday through Friday.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Qualified applicants must have experience and interest in working with children.
  
• Applicants both internal and external to Vanderbilt are welcome to express interest.
  
• Teaching experience and/or experience working with academically gifted students is preferred.
  

Benefits

Compensation:

$16.00/hr

*This position is eligible for the returning PTY seasonal staff incentive. https://pty.vanderbilt.edu/savy-summer-2027-positions/

Your experience includes:

• Making a difference through investing in the lives of gifted and high-achieving young scholars.
  
• Working on the campus of a nationally-known institution.
  
• Adding a unique experience to your resume.
  
• Joining a team of dedicated staff who are passionate about developing talent in gifted and high ability students.
  
• Competitive compensation.