About Summer Discovery

Our mission is to provide best-in-class, immersive summer college enrichment experiences that perfectly balance curriculums curated by top tier universities in diverse fields of study, with opportunities for students to have fun, travel and explore new places with new friends. 

We support students in their mission to deepen their knowledge of their academic passion and foster college-ready confidence through hands-on learning experiences in their preferred field of study. We are the industry trailblazers, applying nearly sixty years of learning, refinement and relationship building into what we do each day.  

Simply put, our team is obsessed with summer and determined to help our students excel, building lifelong skills, embracing intellectual curiosity, innovation, and a love of learning. Our team members make a significant impact in the lives of students, and we take great pride in supporting them in every step of the journey – we roll up our sleeves and do what it takes to deliver the very best summer ever!

What’s the job?

As a Resident Counselor, you'll play a vital role in guiding and supporting students through their academic and social experiences on campus. You'll provide supervision, mentorship, and coaching, ensuring a positive and enriching residential life for all students. As a Resident Counselor, you'll be living on campus and working around the clock, with varied and unpredictable hours. This means you'll be available 24/7 to support and supervise students, handle emergencies, and engage in all program activities. Your work schedule will be dynamic and is highly likely to change based on the needs of the program.

Essential Functions

• Policy Adherence: Follow the guidelines outlined in the Employee Handbook and Staff Manual.
• Orientation: Participate in pre-arrival virtual orientation and in-person orientation before the students arrive on campus.
• Student Supervision: Oversee students' daily and weekend schedules, including academic, recreational, and social activities.
• Emergency Response: Handle emergencies and provide assistance as directed. Frequent communications with leadership, nurse, and residential staff regarding medical needs and emergencies. Escort students to medical facilities, including emergency rooms, when necessary.
• Safety & Well-being: Ensure the safety and holistic (physical & mental) well-being of assigned students, working under the guidance of the leadership team and Head RC.
• Residential Life: Facilitate a positive residential experience by managing residential operations and creating a supportive environment in the residence hall.
• Activity Participation: Engage in academic, recreational, and social activities as needed.
• Daily Duties: Fulfill various responsibilities including staff meetings, office coverage, dorm duty, late-night duty, and other assigned tasks.
• Role Model: Demonstrate positive behavior and serve as a role model for both students and staff.
• Student Support: Assist students with academic, socio-emotional, and social challenges, including tutoring and providing insights into college life.
• Problem-Solving: Proactively address and resolve student and facility issues.
• Programming Contribution: Create and help organize after-class and weekend activities, including athletics, arts, nature hikes, and games, while introducing new programming to keep students engaged and entertained.
• Supervision of Activities: Oversee off-campus trips and on-campus events as assigned.
• Social Engagement: Join students for meals and social activities to foster mentorship.
• Compliance: Adhere to Summer Discovery policies, including curfew, alcohol and drug policies, and maintaining professional conduct.
• Maintain a “What’s Next, How Can I Help Attitude”

Core Competencies:

• Exemplary Conduct: Exhibit leadership, honesty, and integrity, maintaining high standards of behavior. Including those related to cell phone use, communication with colleagues/students, and adherence to policies.
• Judgment and Problem-Solving: Use sound judgment in decision-making and mentoring.
• Positive Attitude: Display a friendly and supportive demeanor while working with students.
• Technical Skills: Operate various office and recreational equipment effectively.

Physical Demands:

• Health & Stamina: Maintain good physical and mental health to engage fully in all program activities.
• Supervision: Monitor large areas for safety, both day and night.
• Living Conditions: Adapt to living and working in potentially non-air-conditioned spaces during the summer.
• Movement: Engage in continuous movement across the campus while supervising students.

Schedule/Location:

• Location: On-campus residency required throughout the program duration. Summer location is discussed during the interview process and will depend on availability and skill set requirements.
• Orientation: Attend a paid staff orientation five days prior to the program start. Engagement, curiosity, and learning is required during orientation.
• Work Schedule: Flexibility in schedule required due to the dynamic nature of the work. We do offer one day off for every two weeks on campus.
• Commitment: As a Resident Counselor, you'll be living on campus and working around the clock, with varied and unpredictable hours. This means you'll be available 24/7 to support and supervise students, handle emergencies, and engage in all program activities. Your work schedule will be dynamic and is highly likely to change based on the needs of the program

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Age Requirement: Must be at least 20 years old by the start of the program (21 years old for certain locations).
• Education: Completed or currently pursuing a four-year university degree.
• Experience: Previous experience in academic, tutoring, mentoring, or recreational roles with students.
• On-Campus Residency: Ability to reside on campus for the entire duration of the program, ensuring full immersion in the daily operations and student experience.
• Certification: Driver’s License and First Aid/CPR certification preferred.

Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check

Summer Discovery embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.