Senior Program Counselor, Pre-College 2024

Position description  

Senior Program Counselors (PCs) play a crucial role in the residential and social aspects at SIA Summer Institute 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 (RHD), Senior PCs provide supervision over program counselors, as well as advisement and engagement opportunities for students residing on campus for the duration of precollege. This is a live-in position, working up to 40 hours per week with housing provided. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

Senior Program Counselors are primarily responsible for building and maintaining a strong, safe, and inclusive residential life community. Senior PCs set up all residential spaces prior to student arrival and hold floor meetings with their respective team of program counselors to disseminate important information to their community. Senior 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, Senior PCs may escort students to and from the event. Other responsibilities include:  

• Responsible for the co- supervision of Program Counselors and students. 

• 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; 

• Participate in 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); 

• Assist in the logistics and coordination of co-curricular activities such as movie nights, arts events, community building activities and outings; Event set up/break down 

• Assist with administrative tasks which may include the use of technology such as apps, Microsoft Office and online based software; 

• Support in scheduling staff shifts and work hours 

• Support the program through other duties as assigned. 

Senior PCs will typically work in afternoons and evenings with some exceptions or other assignments that may arise. Senior PCs will be expected to utilize mobile phone for maintaining communication with staff members as well as students via communication. 

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 the essential functions. 

• Have an outgoing disposition and an enthusiasm for working with high school students.   

• Establishes a nurturing, inclusive community and encourages positive, self-expression. 

• Must be flexible and highly adaptable, quick and comfortable responding to ever-changing environment.  

• Highly motivated and comfortable taking initiatives. 

• The ability to use sound judgement, enforce rules, and assume leadership roles.  

• Has a keen interest in New York City culture and is comfortable exploring it with students using New York City mass transit. 

• Must be willing to live onsite. 

Education, Work Experience and/or Licensure 

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States  

• Bachelor’s degree or currently in college required; 

• 2 years of previous residential life experience (summer camp, boarding school, college campus etc.) required. 

• Must be CPR certified or be willing to obtain prior to start of program. 

• Two references required. 

Senior PCs must complete an online training prior to arrival. Senior PCs move into the residence halls on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in preparation for training, which begins Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Dates of commitment are below:  

• Move in and Training: June 4th and 5th  

• June 9th-21st-Vogue Summer School Term 1 

• June 23rd -July 5th-Vogue Summer School Term 2 

• July 7th- July 19th-Sotheby’s Summer Institute Term 1 

• July 21st-August 2nd-Sotheby’s Summer Institute Term 2 

• August 4th-August 16th-CFLI Term 1** 

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

**Not all residential life staff will be required, as needed basis-approval from program management. 

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 do not have 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 shift meals provided 

• Chaperone events and trips to local NYC attractions. 

• Salary of $20 per hour 

Language Skills   

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

• Excellent command of the English language.  

• Ability to speak another language 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 the essential functions.  

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, travel up and down stairs, crouch, stoop, and reach.  

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.  

Other Requirements    

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