Vanderbilt Summer Academy - Area Coordinator
Job Description:
An Area Coordinator serves as an in-residence leader and supervisor during Vanderbilt Summer Academy, a residential program on Vanderbilt University’s campus that serves middle and high school gifted students. At VSA, residential small groups of middle and high school students grades 7-12, are led by proctors. Each proctor is responsible for activities, check ins, and first line support of students. An Area Coordinator (AC) serves as “a proctor for the proctors” and other residential staff and will serve as a support to proctors and a bridge between proctors and the leadership team. Reporting to the Head of Residence Staff, Area Coordinators reside in the residential hall with VSA students and staff.
Perks:
Your summer includes:
- Making a difference through investing in the lives of gifted young scholars.
- Working at one of the most prestigious universities in the nation.
- Loving what you do while building your resume with leadership experience.
- Joining a team of dedicated staff who are passionate about developing talent in gifted students.
- Competitive compensation with meals and private room in residence hall included.
Expectations:
Within their wide array of duties and responsibilities, VSA Area Coordinators are expected to:
- Grow and maintain Residential Proctor morale and performance through routine group and 1:1 meetings and conversations.
- Ensure the quality and effectiveness of nightly proctor meetings as well as filling in to lead these meetings as needed.
- Possess strong organizational and communication skills along with proven problem-solving abilities.
- Handle unexpected student issues, including but not limited to: student illness, violations of stated community code of conduct, student support and encouragement, and the like.
- Be highly mature and able to assist with the management of a residential community of a summer academic program for teens.
- Brainstorm, with proctors, ideas for working with students who may be struggling academically, socially, emotionally, physically, or otherwise, referring to the leadership team as needed.
- Meet regularly with the leadership team and provide information and ideas for maintaining a positive and healthy community of students and staff.
- Engage willingly as a team player with humor, enthusiasm and a compassionate understanding of middle and high school academically advanced students as well as the proctors and other staff members who support them.
- Oversee the preparation of evening and weekend activities with support.
- Enthusiastically adapt and pivot as needed to ensure optimal, engaging, and safe student experiences.
- Assume other program related responsibilities as assigned by administrative staff.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
- Have extensive residential life and/or summer program experience at the secondary school or college level.
- Have extensive leadership and/or team building experience.
- Possess at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Be able to live in the summer residence hall with VSA students and proctor staff.
- Be present and available throughout VSA. (Academic classes, part-time jobs, and scheduled recreational commitments are not permitted during employment.)
- Work closely with other team members to accomplish program goals and address problems in a timely and effective manner.
- Uphold all expectations for proctor roles and responsibilities.
- Exemplify VSA’s purpose, identify and communicate the cornerstones of a respectful residential and academic community and serve as a role model for all staff and students.
- Uphold and enforce all federal, state, University, and program policies as outlined in staff and student handbooks and other referenced materials.
- Thrive in a fast-paced, demanding work environment that requires continuing flexibility, a positive and caring attitude, and collaboration.