Youth Peer Mentor-Della Keats Program

The Della Keats program is a 4-week camp the University of Alaska provides, named after an Alaska Native Inupiaq traditional healer from the Kotzebue region. Della Keats provided educational and medical services to her people throughout her life and believed strongly in the importance of expanding, maintaining, and sharing medical knowledge in ways that would benefit both Alaska Native people and the broader Alaskan community.

Youth Peer Mentors will begin training in May and then continue working full-time until mid-July. The Della Keats camp will offer a series of intensive residential summer programs that prepare and inspire Alaskan high school students to pursue higher education with a focus on a career in the health profession. Participants will experience university residential life, complete health science-related pre-college coursework, carry out health-related research projects, and complete at least four different medical or healthcare professional job shadows.

The program specifically aims to recruit Alaska Native, rural, and other underrepresented people to work in Alaska health fields, focusing on students who are interested in careers in biomedical research, medicine, or health-related professions, with the aim of creating a more diverse, innovative, and productive biomedical workforce in Alaska.

Knowledge of or experiences with rural Alaskan culture, lifestyle, challenges, and an appreciation for these is needed for this position. Along with a desire to work with youth and help them discover their own strengths and interests. A creative and adaptable mindset, working well as a part of a team and a willingness to lead as needed. Having a strong work ethic, integrity, and moral compass, and caring about the example being set for the youth participating in the program is essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School graduation and a minimum of 20 university credits successfully completed is required.
Successful completion of college-level math, chemistry, or physics coursework is preferred.
One year prior experience working with or overseeing students in residence programs is preferred.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage.  New hires will be placed on the UA temporary staff salary schedule, Grade 77, based on education and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a number of adequate successful candidates are identified. 

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Jeni Davis, Program Assistant for Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce, at Jmdavis15@alaska.edu.