Program Counselor, The School of The NY Times- Summer Academy

About The School of The New York Times and Summer Academy

Highly innovative, The School of The New York Times (The School), a collaboration between The New York Times and Cambridge Information Group, provides a comprehensive set of educational offerings for pre-college-aged students. Drawing on unequaled expertise and unrivaled access, The School provides seminal formative experiences, giving students expanded vision and focus, while serving as the foundation for success in their future studies and in life itself.

Held in New York City and Washington, D.C., Summer Academy (SA) provides students with an immersive environment during 2-week terms over the course of the summer, in which they learn, investigate and explore while having fun and discovering friends, mentors, and instructors who share their passions and interests.

Position description

Program Counselors (PCs) play a crucial role in the residential and social aspects at Summer Academy and will focus on maintaining a safe living and learning community by upholding the Student and Family Handbook and building a community among the students. Under the supervision of the Residential Hall Assistant Director (RHAD), PCs provide supervision, advisement and engagement opportunities for students residing on campus for the duration of SA. This is a live-in position, working 35-40 hours per week with housing and meals provided.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Counselors are primarily responsible for building and maintaining a strong and safe residential life community. PCs set up the dorm floor prior to student arrival and hold floor meetings to disseminate important information to their assigned Living and Learning Community. PCs complete an evening room check to ensure that all students are accounted for and document student incidents through Student Management Software (SMS). When programming happens off-campus, PCs escort students to and from the event. PCs design and host residential programming to supplement The School programming. Other responsibilities include:

• Assist in the residential check-in and check-out process ensuring that all students are properly moved into their residence hall and understand the policies therein;
• Present Student Orientation events including diversity, equity, and inclusion sessions and community building activities;
• Support the physical and mental health of students and refer them to appropriate resources, as needed;
• Attend weekly staff meetings;
• Enforce program policies and procedures to ensure that all participants remain safe throughout the program, documenting violations and incidents as they arise;
• Mediate roommate and peer conflicts;
• Manage student and staff interactions using various student management software;
• Complete room checks;
• Abide by Curfew and Proximity policy, when scheduled (see below);
• Plan and lead recreational and social events and activities such as movie nights, arts events, community-building activities, and outings;
• Assist with administrative tasks which may include the use of technology such as apps, Microsoft Office, and online-based software;
• Support the program through other duties as assigned.

PCs will typically work in afternoons and evenings with some exceptions or other assignments that may arise. PCs will be responsible for checking their email account daily for updates.

Knowledge & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Have an outgoing disposition and an enthusiasm for working with high school students;
• Flexible and comfortable taking initiatives;
• The ability to use sound judgment, enforce rules, and assume leadership roles;
• Has an interest in New York City culture and is comfortable exploring it with students.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Education, Work Experience, and/or Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree or currently in college;
• 2 years of previous residential life experience (summer camp, boarding school, college campus, etc.);
• Two references are required.

PCs must complete online training prior to arrival. PCs move into the residence halls on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in preparation for training, which begins June 1, 2022. The dates of commitment are below:

• June 1st - June 3rd: Residential Staff Training
• June 5th - June 17th: Term 1
• June 19th - July 1st: Term 2*
• July 3rd - July 15th: Term 3*
• July 17th - July 29th: Term 4
• July 30th: Residential Staff Move-out

• PCs will be required to work on Juneteenth (June 19) and Fourth of July (July 4)

Curfew and Proximity

In order to maintain student-to-staff ratios overnight, staff may be required to remain within a 15-minute walk of campus after 11 p.m. on their working nights. Staff does not have a curfew or proximity restrictions on their days off.

This position offers the following:

• An opportunity to work with a passionate team of diverse people
• Housing with a roommate and meals provided
• Unlimited Metrocard
• Chaperone events such as Broadway shows and trips to local attractions and events.
• Salary of $18 per hour

Language Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Ability to speak another language is a plus.

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of his/her job. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, travel up and downstairs, crouch, stoop, and reach.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Other Requirements

All staff will be working closely with minors and will need to successfully complete all training. All positions will require the use of one’s personal cell phone.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics listed here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a basic office/academic environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. The School of the New York Times reserves the right to modify this job description in its sole discretion.

The School of the New York Times is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.