Program Counselor The School of The New York Times

Job Title: Program Counselor, Pre-College 2025 

Organization: BrandEd 

Department: The School of The New York Times 

Reports to: Residential Hall Assistant Director (RHAD), Pre-College Programs 

Program Information 

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, 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 up to 40 hours per week with housing included. 

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 a 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.
• Participate and support 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 expected to use their cellphones as needed for communication with staff and students as needed. 

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.  
• Flexible and comfortable taking initiatives.
• The ability to use sound judgement, enforce rules and assume leadership roles. 
• Has an interest in New York City culture and is comfortable exploring it with students.

Education, Work Experience and/or Licensure 

• 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.).
• Must be CPR certified or be willing to obtain prior to start of program. 
• Two references required. 

PCs must complete online training prior to arrival. Senior PCs move into the residence halls on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in preparation for training, which begins Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Dates of commitment are below: 

• Virtual Training: May 20th
• Move-in: June 3rd
• All Staff Training: June 4th – June 6th
• Term 1: June 8th – June 20th
• Term 2: June 22nd – July 4th
• Term 3: July 6th – July 18th
• Term 4: July 20th – August 1st
• Move-out: August 1st

*Move-in dates may change 

*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 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 $18 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.   

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. Sotheby’s Institute of Art reserves the right to modify this job description in its sole discretion. 

BrandEd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Salary : $18