Become a Staff Advisor for Sko Serve
The Staff Advisor Role
As a Staff Advisor, you’ll serve as a mentor for two Site Leaders throughout the planning process and during the experience. Staff Advisors offer guidance, provide emergency support, manage trip finances and foster a positive learning environment. While Sko Serve trips are coordinated and led by Site Leaders, we believe faculty and staff members bring unique perspectives and can help support students in their leadership development.
Staff Advisors are actively involved in the full arc of the program. This includes attending pre-departure meetings, supporting the team during the week-long service experience and participating in post-trip reflection.
Benefits
- Immerse yourself in a social or environmental topic alongside students
- Advise and mentor two students to accomplish their vision and goals, allowing ample opportunities for leadership development
- Connect with a small group of students from various college departments
- Meet and network with students, staff and faculty around campus
- Participate free-of-charge (e.g. travel, lodging, and meals are covered)
Staff Partner Expectations
Pre-Departure
- Attend the Staff Advisor training meeting
- Attend select Site Leader trainings
- Attend Participant Orientation and all pre-departure meetings
- Meet at least twice a semester with Site Leaders to get to know them and review the trip’s progress
During the Experience
- Participate in all trip service, reflection and excursions
- Providing advice and support to Site Leaders
- Add educational value by contributing to your life and professional perspective
- Be a mature influence and encourage students to make wise decisions
- Build connections with Site Leaders and participants in a non-traditional role
- Support Site Leaders with conflict resolution, difficult conversations, stress management and crisis
- Step up during emergency situations (e.g. accompanying students to the hospital, advising students during adverse weather conditions, etc.)
- Manage trip finances and documentation
- Depending on the location, drive a 12-passenger van or assist students in boarding the flight
- Uphold all policies of the University of Colorado Boulder and the Sko Serve program
Post-Experience
- Attend Participant Reorientation
- Complete program evaluation
- Turn in receipts
- Debrief 1:1 with Program Manager for Experiential Service Learning
Required Commitments
Winter Break Trip
- Scheduled meeting | Staff Advisor orientation
- Week of Sept. 29 and Nov. 10 | Check-in meeting with Site Leaders
- Thursdays, Oct. 2-Dec. 4 | Attend select Site Leader trainings
- Thursday, Oct. 30 | Participant Orientation
- Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 | Weekly pre-departure meetings
- Friday, Dec. 12 from 3-5 p.m. | Trip prep
- Saturday, Dec. 13 - Sunday, Dec. 21 | Sko Serve Winter Break
- Thursday, March 26 | Participant reorientation
- Scheduled meeting | Closing 1:1 with Program Manager
Spring Break Trip
- Scheduled meeting | Staff Advisor orientation
- Oct. 13 to March 6 | Monthly check-in meetings with Site Leaders
- Oct. 13 to March 6 | Attend select Site Leader trainings
- Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Participant Orientation
- Thursdays, Feb. 26 - March 12 | Weekly pre-departure meetings
- Friday, March 13 | Trip prep
- Saturday, March 14 - Sunday, March 22 | Sko Serve Spring Break
- Thursday, March 26 | Participant reorientation
- Scheduled meeting | Closing 1:1 with Program Manager
Summer Break Trip
- Scheduled meeting | Staff Advisor orientation
- Oct. 13 to April 24 | Monthly check-in meetings with Site Leaders
- Oct. 13 to April 24 | Attend select Site Leader trainings
- Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Participant Orientation
- Thursdays, Feb. 26 - March 12 & April 2 and 16 | Weekly pre-departure meetings
- Monday, May 4 | Trip prep
- Tuesday, May 5 - Friday, May 15 | Sko Serve SummerBreak
- TBD based on availability | Participant reorientation
- Scheduled meeting | Closing 1:1 with Program Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
- Advisors must be a University of Colorado Boulder faculty or staff member.
Will I need to take time off to participate?
- This should be determined at the time you are requesting approval from your supervisor for the time off to volunteer. Serving as staff partner is a wonderful professional and personal development opportunity and supervisors commonly allow learning partners to travel without needing to take vacation days.
How much does it cost to attend?
- Staff partners attend at no charge to themselves, aside from personal incidentals and souvenirs. Sko Serve will cover all costs related to travel, lodging and meals.
Will I get paid?
- No, this is a volunteer-based role.
What are the lodging arrangements?
- Sko Serve is committed to simple living and affordable, safe travel. Our groups often stay at accommodations provided by the community partner, churches, retreat centers, campsites and low-cost Airbnb's. If possible, we will provide a separate space for Staff Partners, however that is not guaranteed. Exact accommodations vary. Please contact the Program Manager for Experiential Service Learning to learn more about accommodations specific to each program.
Do I need any experience to serve as a Staff Partner?
- You do not need prior experience, although an interest in service-learning, community engagement, and student development is helpful.