Quest Scholarship Fund
Position Overview:
The Program Manager is responsible for implementing organizational and administrative tasks essential for the operation of the Quest Scholarship program and in support of the students and the adult volunteers involved. This includes working closely with student nominees over several months while they complete necessary paperwork as part of an extensive application process. It also includes assisting a team of volunteers with administrative support as they provide careful mentoring and help prepare students for an intercultural experience living abroad.
This position requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as attention to detail.
Job Type: Part-time (half-time) independent contractor
Hourly Rate: $32 – $40 per hour
Reports To: Quest Co-Founders
Quest is a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation. The Program Manager will be hired as a part-time independent contractor of the St. Louis Community Foundation on behalf of the Quest Scholarship Fund.
Description of Organization:
The Quest Scholarship Fund offers high-achieving high school students from low-income families in the St. Louis metropolitan area the opportunity to expand their horizons by studying abroad. Approximately 25 Quest scholarships for summer international study are awarded each year. More information is available on the Quest website at www.qsfstl.org . Study abroad programs are provided by AFS Intercultural Programs (www.afsusa.org).
Key Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the Quest volunteer leaders, the Program Manager will work with high school counselors, students, families, and program volunteers across the St. Louis region to:
· Reach out to teachers and counselors to share information about Quest scholarships for low-income students with high leadership potential (April – August)
· Receive and process student nominations from school counselors (September)
· Prepare the student nomination materials for committee review (October)
· Set up interview days and forward student material to community interviewers (October)
· Send AFS application materials to the successful candidates (November-December)
· Work with individual students and families to complete all parts of the detailed AFS national application materials (December – February)
· Assist with orientations and support activities that prepare the students for their summer experience (March-June)
Purchase items related to student travel and submit receipts for reimbursement.
The Program Manager will also be expected to:
· Maintain contact with Quest alumni/ae as they move into their college years and prepare statistics on their progress
· Work with donors, volunteers, and board members of the Quest fund, keep records of their contact information, and forward program materials and results to them
Essential Qualifications:
· Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
· Strong computer knowledge; proficiency with MS Office software, Google Suite, social media, and email marketing
· Exceptional level of responsiveness, accuracy, and attention to detail
· Time flexibility during occasional weeks of unusually high work demand
· Experience working with high school students and families who reflect Quest’s target demographic (i.e. those who attend high schools and live in neighborhoods in which at least 75% of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch)
· Passion for building positive relationships among youth of the world
Desirable
· Familiarity with schools and school systems in the St. Louis metropolitan area
· Personal experience traveling or living in countries abroad
· Experience with study abroad or student exchange programs
· Registration as a Missouri LLC
How to Apply:
Submit:
1) a cover letter outlining the ways you meet these requirements
2) a current resume
Send to: questscholarshipfund@gmail.com with the subject line “Program Manager Application”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Professional references and an in-person interview will be required during the application process. Travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
