Graduate Assistant Position

The College of Science seeks two (2) Graduate Assistants to help run our summer programs, including five residential science camps for middle and high school students and one professional development workshop for science teachers. The goals of our camps are to:

1. provide an enriching science experience for all, 
2. foster each camper’s sense of belonging in science,
3. help campers learn of sciences and careers that are rarely discussed in schools, 
4. give campers the opportunity to meet peers who also love science, and 
5. demystify the college experience and application process. Campers may apply for need-based scholarships to defray camp costs.

The goals of our teacher workshops are to inspire science teachers and empower them to be even better teachers. Teachers learn new and enriching lesson plans and activities that help them teach key topics e.g., chemistry, physics, biology and, earth science. 

Position #1

Spring and Summer Graduate Assistant (GA) Position for Science Outreach

The GA will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Outreach to help administer and run programs held in summer of 2026. This job runs during spring and both summer terms.

Responsibilities are:  

Spring into summer:

• Run a robust student staff hiring process, including recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and scheduling camp staff.
• Learn and use VT’s admissions software, SLATE, to review and process camp applications, scholarships, and camper documents.
• Coordinate with Continuing and Professional Education to manage camp payments.
• Correspond with parents and campers by email and phone.
• Complete Office of Youth Protection training.

Summer:

• Work with Housing to secure dorms and assign rooms for all camps.
• Serve in a residential capacity for 2 of the 5 weeks of camps, supervise camp staff, and serve on-call.
• Plan and participate in after-hours team-building activities with campers and RAs.
• Lead daily staff check-ins during camps.
• Manage crises, as needed, e.g., sick camper, behavioral issues.
• Manage student accommodations, as needed.
• Evaluate 2 of the 5 camps and assess student-learning outcomes.
• Help with program logistics, including: Signing in/out campers at the start/end of each camp; Opening classrooms and operating AV technology for instructors; Assigning dorm rooms; Scheduling van drivers.
• Keep Assistant Dean informed of any issues that arise.

Salary is $2800 /month based on 20 hour per week on average. Some weeks may require more than 20 hours (e.g., during the two camps) but your average will NOT go above 20 hours/week.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional and responsible.
• Strong work ethic.
• Ability to think through potential problems ahead of time and plan accordingly.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and successfully manage multiple assignments.
• Responsible and timely.
• Highly organized, with good attention to detail.
• Competence with word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Apps (Sheets, Docs, etc), Zoom.
• Discretion in handling confidential information.
• Patience and adaptability.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Must be willing to drive self and campers as needed.
• Must pass background checks.
• Must be on campus during all camps and much of summer term.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working/leading youth, e.g., as camp counselor or teacher.
• Currently enrolled in a master’s level or higher program in: Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs, Science Education, Education Policy, Social work, or related program.
• Problem solving skills to manage complex tasks and/or to balance competing interests.
• Previous experience working in Housing or Residential Life.

The above qualifications describe the ideal skill set for candidates. We encourage you to apply even if you do not possess all of the listed qualifications.

Position #2

Summer Graduate Assistant (GA) for Science Outreach

The GA will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Outreach during the summer term to prepare for, administer, and run outreach programs held in summer of 2026.

Responsibilities include:

• Complete Office of Youth Protection training.
• Serve in a residential capacity for 3 of the 5 weeks of camps, supervising RAs and serving on call.
• Plan and participate in after-hours team-building activities with campers and RAs.
• Lead daily student staff check-ins during camps.
• Manage crises, as needed, e.g., a sick camper, behavioral issues.
• Manage student accommodations as needed.
• Evaluate three of the five camps and assess student-learning outcomes.
• Keep Assistant Dean informed of any issues that arise.
• Help with program logistics, including: Signing in/out of campers at the start and end of each camp; Opening classrooms and operating AV technology for instructors; Teacher workshop registration.

Position is from May 10 through August 9, 2026 (last day is negotiable). Salary is $2800/month based on 20 hour per week on average. The three weeks of camps will require more hours/week but your average will NOT go above 20 hours/week.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Strong verbal communication
• Robust experience working with or leading youth
• Professional and responsible
• Highly organized with attention to detail
• Ability to think through potential problems ahead of time and plan accordingly
• Ability to prioritize tasks and successfully manage multiple assignments
• Responsible and timely
• Experience with word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Apps (Sheets, Docs, etc), Zoom.
• Discretion in handling confidential information
• Patience and adaptability
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable and safe driving record
• Must be willing/able to drive self and campers as needed
• Must pass background checks
• Must be on campus during all camps and the teacher workshop

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working/leading youth, e.g., as camp counselor or teacher
• Currently enrolled in a master’s level or higher program in: Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs, Science Education, Education Policy, Social work, or a related program
• Problem solving skills to manage complex tasks and/or to balance competing interests
• Previous experience working in Housing or Residential Life

The above qualifications describe the ideal skill set for candidates. We encourage you to apply even if you do not possess all of the listed qualifications.

How to Apply

Please prepare the following application materials using 1-inch margins and a font of 11 point or above:

 1. A one-page personal statement that covers: 

• Why you are interested in the position.
• How this program will help address your educational and career goals.
• What you expect to gain from this experience, if selected.
• Any relevant interests, collaborations, and skills that are not covered in your resume, CV, or transcripts.

2. CV or resume (please tailor to this job application)

3. Contact information for two people willing to serve as a professional or academic references.

4. Copy of your most recent university transcript (unofficial is fine).

5. Please specify whether you are applying for the spring+summer position, the summer only position, or either.

6. Combine all of your application materials into one (1) PDF document and name the document “Lastname_Firstname_GA2026.pdf”, e.g., Smith_Sarah_GA2026.pdf.

7. Email application to explorescicamp@vt.edu. Applications will be considered starting November 1, 2026.