Support Service Intern - The Hidden Genius Project

JOB TITLE: Support Services Intern

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

The Hidden Genius Project is a non-profit headquartered in Oakland, California that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. The Hidden Genius Project seeks to reveal the true potential of Black male youth and transform their communities from the inside out. Through our student-centered, project-based approach, we invest in young Black men, give them access to technology training, and plug them into an ecosystem of innovation and empowerment. The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 and established a full-time infrastructure in 2015. The organization now operates Intensive Immersion Programs in Oakland, Richmond, California, Los Angeles, and Detroit; in 2023, we will continue on our national growth trajectory, all as we look to regain our programming rhythm in the wake of ongoing public health challenges. As the program grows, The Hidden Genius Project seeks to impact thousands more Black males and young people in the coming years.

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY:

Support Services Interns are responsible for aiding the Support Services Team's work in helping youth achieve their care plan goals. This will be done by creating and vetting culturally-appropriate resource lists, completing Needs Assessments, and researching best practices to enhance our current Care Model and the Life Skills portion of our curriculum. Support Services Interns will also coordinate and work collaboratively with The Hidden Genius Project’s Support Services Programs and Operations staff, Genius Alumni, Genius Fellows, Youth Educators, and other volunteers and Board members. 

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Genius, Alumni, Family, and Community Outreach

• Develop rich connections with participating Black male youth and connect them and their families to community resources (i.e., transportation, employment opportunities, benefits, food, clothing, haircuts, hygiene kits). 

•  Identify participant needs as they arise by completing and submitting Needs Assessments and managing attendance data through strategic planning with The Hidden Genius Project staff, Youth Care Champions, and Youth Educators.  

• Solicit participant and parent/guardian feedback to guide responsible programmatic improvements to maximize participant enjoyment and success.

Research, Collaboration, and Development

• Collaborating with staff, Genius Alumni, and Youth Educators to recommend enhancing the Life Skills portion of our Intensive Immersion Program’s curriculum and best practices for working with Black Male youth and their families to inform our Care Model better. 

• Vetting and cultivating resource lists across all sites nationwide to better support Geniuses and families with connecting to key services and critical resources. 

• Ensuring that the resource lists are culturally appropriate for the population we serve, keeping them updated regularly, and ensuring that they are fiscally sustainable. 

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

REQUIRED:

• Currently enrolled (planning to enroll) in a Masters's Program (Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Coaching, Public Administration, Public Health, or closely related fields) or your first or second year of graduate school; If not enrolled in a Bachelor’s Program, has at least four or more years of comparable work experience;

• Excellent leadership abilities and conflict resolution skills;

• High comfort level with various technology platforms and the ability to learn new ones;

• Experience mentoring, as well as a commitment to working with Black male youth;

• “Can do” attitude and ability to work as part of a team;

• Curriculum development skills or a willingness to learn how to;

• In good academic and relational standing with your University’s Program and Placement Departments (if applicable);

• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize;

• Ability to receive feedback and engage in continuous self-improvement;

• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and rapidly - changing work environment;  

• Excellent research skills

• Weekday, evening, and weekend availability.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• Must be fingerprinted, and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by the Hidden Genius Project before the Internship;

• TB testing will be required upon employment;

• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable);

• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6-12 months of employment.

DESIRED:

• Principles, practices, methods, and strategies applicable to coaching, trauma-informed care, DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion), Critical Race Theory, holistic care management, youth recruitment, and program implementation;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as excellent presentation and group facilitation skills;

ROLE OVERVIEW: 

• Role Location: Onsite, LA

• Reports to: Director of Support Services (headquarters based in Oakland, CA)

• Status: Internship

• Schedule: Part Time (maximum of 15- 20 hours per week, in accordance with youth's work permit), between the hours of 8 am - 4:30 pm during the summer, hybrid during the academic school year with availability between 4- 8 pm; would like a 12-month commitment, Summer 2024- Summer 2025 but will adjust depending on start date.

BENEFITS:

• Dynamic and fun work environment;

• Excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of youth;

• Entrepreneurial organization: implement your own ideas and see the effects;

• Meet and connect with key stakeholders  in the technology industry; 

• Play a fundamental role in building a national program; 

• Opportunity to innovate in building effective models for holistic technology instruction;

• Opportunity to earn semester stipend and/or college credit for field placement work;
  
  

COMPENSATION: 

This is an internship, an opportunity to learn and gain experience in support of future work or an educational requirement. Stipend may be offered up to $4000, with the successful completion of each semester ($1000 per quarter).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job successfully:

• The employee may occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; the employee may frequently stand, walk, or sit; the employee may regularly grasp objects, talk and/ or hear.

• The employee will occasionally lift up to 50 pounds; the employee will regularly lift up to 10 pounds.

• This job requires vision abilities that ensure the safety of operating and programming spaces for all stakeholders.

• Travel and supervise the transportation of students as needed

• National (and possibly international) travel

APPLYING: 

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the Support Service Internship job opening accessed through our website’s careers page. 

ABOUT THE HIDDEN GENIUS PROJECT CREATION & COMMITMENT:

The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. Founded in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were unnerved by the dramatic juxtaposition between the high unemployment of Black male youth and the plethora of career opportunities within the local technology sector, The Hidden Genius Project connects young Black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become leaders in high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists.

The Hidden Genius Project is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or a need that requires an accommodation, please let us know. 

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage people of color to apply for our open positions. To be successful in our work, one must have a passion for young Black males and, through operational excellence, be able to serve them in their current state and for the betterment of their future.