Jumpstart

Making a Difference for the Children of Camden

Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. 

Brief Job Description:

Jumpstart sends teams of 5-7 Rutgers students to classrooms in the Camden downtown community twice a week to read and support developmentally appropriate practices in a preschool classroom in an effort to provide early literacy intervention and socio-emotional learning skills. For the entire year, Corps (core) Members are paired with a small group of preschool children to teach them, but most importantly to engage in meaningful on-going service in our community.

Together, these students implement curriculum, plan family involvement events, and work towards ensuring every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Participants earn their full work-study award and receive an additional education award from AmeriCorps.

 This position is ideal for:

  • Are currently enrolled as a Rutgers University Camden student

  • Are able to commit to work 10-15 hours per week

  • Have a passion for community service

  • Enjoy working on teams

  • Desire to be a leader on campus

  • Are willing to learn about best practices in community development and early childhood education

  • Have a strong work ethic

  • Are looking for a year long job opportunity

Must be able to:

  • Commit to serving 300 hours of service throughout the year (Fall AND Spring semesters), with 45 of those hours being training (virtual and in-person training)

  • Participate in the full background check process

  • Ability to keep a consistent schedule open throughout the academic year.

  • Qualify for Federal Work Study, or willing to work with the Office of Financial Assistance to look into having this added to your financial aid package – Note: must have a FAFSA on file or willingness to submit a FAFSA.

  • Jumpstart does have a limited number of stipends available for students who do not qualify for Federal Work Study***

  • Consistently prepare high quality classroom materials and consistently attend and perform classroom duties and procedures.

  • Attend weekly team planning meetings in addition to scheduled Jumpstart training.

Must be available one of the following hour blocks twice a week for in-person class service and team session
Mon/Wed: 3pm-5pm
Tues/Thurs: 3pm-5pm
Additional potential hour blocks include: Monday – Friday 8am-12:30pm, 2pm-3pm

*Commitment to same block schedule for Fall & Spring is preferred but not required