Summer Counselor- Queens (Jamaica), NY

The Summer Counselor position at Brook Hill combines all the best parts of being a summer camp counselor and tour guide with the flexibility of a part-time position, all while meeting people from all over the world and helping them have the best summer vacation ever!

The summer team member we’re searching for might be you! Are you…

• An energetic and personable individual who is genuinely excited about getting to know people from around the world?
• Comfortable being silly in front of large groups and eager to have just as much fun as the students you are leading?
• An initiative-taker who is able to be calm, collected, and flexible when things don’t go as planned?
• Energetic and passionate about bringing positivity and care into every student interaction?
• A quick learner who is able to jump in and help wherever the program needs them?
• Looking for a flexible part-time position that does not require on-campus housing?

If this sounds like you, we think you would enjoy and succeed in the Summer Counselor role!

This is an hourly, part-time, and in-person position. Counselors are responsible for interacting with and engaging with students on campus and on excursions by conducting activities, participating in on-campus activities, assisting with group check-ins and check-outs, leading students on excursions, and conducting walking and bus tours of sights. Counselors work under the supervision of the management team and Activity Coordinators. This is a part-time position and is  not eligible for on-campus housing. Meals may be covered during working hours.

About Us:
At The Brook Hill Alliance (formerly PLUS), we operate a variety of international education programs including Brook Hill Study Tours, our English language study and travel program for international high school students across North America. Our students have the opportunity to take English classes and explore the surrounding regions while staying at North American colleges and universities. At Brook Hill, we are dedicated to creating vibrant, inclusive, and safe opportunities for students to grow academically, culturally, and personally.
 
Time Commitment:

• The employment period can range from 1 to 8 weeks during the summer, depending on the needs of the campus and employee availability. In the application, there is space to indicate and explain your availability during the summer months.
• The schedule and hours per week vary depending on the needs of the campus and are flexible depending on employee availability. Night and weekend work is available and highly likely.
• Peak hours can be expected when enrollment is highest, usually the last two weeks of July.

Travel:

• Regional travel is required - all work-related travel during shifts will be provided and covered by Brook Hill
• Travel to and from campus as part of your commute is not compensated. Costs related to parking may not be included, but complimentary parking permits may be available depending on each campus.

 
Compensation:

• Pay scale is determined by campus location and program size. The pay scale for this position is: $16.00-$16.50 per hour.

 
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
The following is expected of Counselors:
    Standard Expectations
    You will be responsible for understanding, adhering to, and enforcing all Brook Hill/campus policies and procedures, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Interacting with groups of international high school students and their group leaders in a professional, enthusiastic, and customer service-oriented manner
• Ensuring the safety of all participants and practicing appropriate emergency preparedness and response under Brook Hill protocols
• Assisting in duties other than the aforementioned and the following, as assigned and as they arise

    On-Campus Activities
    You will help organize and deliver activities for students and their group leaders, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Attending and participating in all of the following activities when scheduled: orientation and welcome activities, talent shows, graduation ceremonies - this means being ready to perform at the talent shows!
• Encouraging student participation in on-campus events
• Setting up, leading, and tearing down other recreational activities including disco, game nights, movie nights, etc.
• Organizing and supervising sporting activities including field games, soccer tournaments, basketball games, etc.

    Off-Campus Activities (Excursions)
    You will lead students and their group leaders on engaging tours of local sights and landmarks, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Knowledgeably delivering relevant information (as provided by Brook Hill) about each landmark
• Comfortably navigating and leading groups on public transportation systems, primarily the subway
• Conducting walking and bus tours with confidence in the route
• Ensuring student safety at all times, including in transit and at tourist sites
• Assisting in coordinating logistics for excursions including communicating with bus drivers, facilitating hotel check-ins, etc.
• Playing games and entertaining students while on excursions, especially if there is an unforeseen delay
• Preparing for and responding appropriately to emergencies

    Student Engagement & Wellbeing
    You will spend the majority of your time interacting with students and their group leaders, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Responding appropriately to students’ and group leaders’ concerns in a professional, enthusiastic, and customer-service oriented manner
• Engaging with students as much as possible to help them improve their conversational English skills
• Encouraging student participation and involvement during on- and off-campus activities
• Eating and conversing with Brook Hill participants during meal times
• Supervising students in the dining hall, activity spaces, and off-campus locations

    Office, Campus, & Miscellaneous
    You will be responsible for supporting the logistical and organizational needs of the campus, with tasks including but not limited to:

• Attending staff meetings when scheduled
• Assisting in administrative tasks as assigned by the management team
• Capturing high-quality photo and video content of participants for the purposes of social media
• If applicable, using the company card appropriately and tracking all spending
• Assisting in arrival, departure, and changeover procedures including check-in/check-out procedures, room checks, airport pickups, etc.
• Knowledgeably guiding students to campus locations and resources as needed
• Assisting the management team as necessary and as requested

 
Qualifications and Desired Skills:

• Authorization to work in the U.S. required
• Must be 18 years or older
• High school diploma required
• Previous customer service experience strongly preferred
• Previous summer camp experience or work with minors strongly preferred
• Knowledge of and experience with NYC subway system preferred
• Previous international experience preferred
• Athletic, musical, theatrical, and/or artistic talent and enthusiasm preferred

 
The successful candidates will be able to work individually and as a member of a team and have strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills. They will also have a strong work ethic, customer service and problem-solving skills, and be professional, personable, energetic, outgoing, positive, adaptable, self-motivated, proactive, creative, and able to work well under pressure. A cover letter expressing your interest in the role and outlining your strengths for the position is strongly preferred.
 
Physical Demands:

• Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes, 25 lbs.
• Do the essential functions of this job require standing? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require walking up stairs? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require stretching? Yes
• Do the essential functions of this job require bending? Yes

Salary : $16 - $17