Locations: Amherst, MA; Coral Gables, FL

Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $12,000-14,000, depending on site/program

Benefits: Room & board and up to $500 travel reimbursement

The Organization:

At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving, diverse, and underrepresented students, including students of color from under-resourced communities, the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

The Programs: Summer Academy & Thrive Academy:

Summer Academy has long been the keystone of Thrive Scholars’ Six-Year Program, offering a signature summer experience through intensive college-preparatory courses taught by college instructors. Thrive’s current strategic direction builds on the success of Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing community-based Thrive Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two Thrive Academies as commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who are part of our Six-Year Program. We are gearing up to open a third Thrive Academy in Chicago and expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years.

The Students:

Our students are high-achieving and identify as underrepresented, including first-generation college-goers, students of color, and those from under-resourced communities, with an average high school GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. They are eager to learn, inquisitive, and highly motivated to succeed. In general, they see themselves as good students who perform well in school and are determined to live up to that expectation. Students in Summer Academy I are rising high school seniors, while students in Summer Academy II are rising college freshmen.

Please review Thrive Scholars’ position statement on economic mobility here.

The Position:
Thrive Scholars is seeking a Summer Site Director (ASD) to be a critical part of the on-site leadership team at our 2025 Residential Summer Academy programs, ensuring a positive, enriching, and safe experience for Scholars. The ASD will be the primary on-site representative and will be in charge of the day-to-day operation of the program. The ASD will assist in the administration of program logistics,  support the development and implementation of recreational programming, and provide supervision/support to the Program Assistants who serve in a “camp counselor” like role. As this is a residential program, the ASD will live among the Scholars in a residence hall and will collaborate with the on-site team to provide coverage 24 hours/day for the duration of the program in case urgent matters arise. The ASD is expected to take one day off per week over the course of SA. The ASD will be expected to participate in planning prior to the start of Summer Academy. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Assistant Site Directors will receive between  $12,000 or $14,000. Compensation level is determined by the number of weeks the program operates. This is a full-time, temporary exempt position. Reimbursement up to $500 will be provided for travel for eligible candidates. Room and board will be provided, and covered by Thrive Scholars. Non-AC housing, with potential for necessary accommodations. Training for this role will occur asynchronously and synchronously.

2025 Host Sites and Dates:

Amherst College - Summer Academy I - $14,000

Remote Training: June 2nd  - June 13th 

On-Site Training, Student Orientations  & Program Preparation Dates: June 15th - June 22nd 

Summer Academy I Session (6-weeks): June 23rd- July 31st

Program Closeout: August 1st- 15th 

University of Miami - Summer Academy II - $12,000

Remote Training: June 16th - June 27th 

On-Site Training, Student Orientations  & Program Preparation Dates: June 22nd - June 29th  

Summer Academy II Session (4-weeks): June 30th - July 26th 

Program Closeout: July 27th - August 6th 

After the conclusion of Summer Academy, the Assistant Site Director will support the Site Directors, with the creation of an end-of- program report. 

Reports to: Site Director 

Primary Responsibilities:

Programming

• Collaborate with Thrive Program Staff to develop and lead student orientation.
• Plan and chaperone off-site field trips.

Administration

• Oversee assigned program operations, including budgets, supplies, residential assignments, and Program Assistants schedules to ensure adequate coverage and oversight.
• Communicate regularly with Site Director to provide updates, address challenges, and implement approved solutions.
• Train and support Resident Program Assistants (PAs) in collaboration with Thrive Program Staff.
• Support health and wellness needs, including working with the nurse to support scholar health
• Oversee the use of Thrive-assigned campus vehicles and manage access to keys and other campus resources.
• Complete campus off-boarding tasks, including inventorying supplies 

Student Supervision & Support

• Monitor student safety, well-being, and participation, addressing residential, academic, health, and socio-emotional issues as they arise.
• Enforce the Summer Academy Code of Conduct and attendance policies, providing support or administering consequences as needed.
• Mediate conflicts among students and staff while maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of full-time experience working with youth in educational or residential settings.
• Experience in living-learning communities, such as academic summer programs, residential high schools, or higher education institutions.
• Expertise in risk management practices for residential programs.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a proven track record of working effectively with underrepresented and diverse student populations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
• Highly dependable, with a strong focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of participants.
• Ability to thrive in a high-energy environment and inspire positivity among high school and college students.
• Proven ability to train and manage college-aged staff.
• Commitment to upholding and enforcing the policies and values of Thrive Scholars and the Summer Academy program.
• Valid driver’s license required; CPR and First Aid certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Master’s degree in School Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field strongly preferred

Working Environment & Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting, talking and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)
• Live in a dormitory that may not have air conditioning in the summer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Knowing their importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org