Program Counselor

About the role

Program Counselors (PCs) play a crucial role in the residential and social aspects of our pre-college programs 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 Director (RHD), PCs provide supervision, advisement, and engagement opportunities for students residing on campus for the duration of the program. This is a live-in position, working up to 40 hours per week with housing.

Responsibilities

• Set up all residential spaces prior to student arrival and hold floor meetings to disseminate important information to their community
• Complete an evening room-check to ensure that all students are accounted for and document student incidents through Student Management Software (SMS)
• Escort students to and from off-campus programming events
• Design and host residential programming to supplement Institute programming
• Assist in the residential check-in and check-out process ensuring that all students are properly moved into their room and understand the policies therein
• Present and support 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)
• 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 Orah, Pronto, Canvas, Microsoft Office and online based software
• Support the program through other duties as assigned

Schedule

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

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.

Qualifications

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Bachelor's degree or currently in college required
• 1+ 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

Skills

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

Physical Demands

• 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