Associate Site Director, BEAM Summer Away

Associate Site Director, BEAM Summer Away

The mission of BEAM is to create pathways for students from low-income and underserved communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. Led by staff with these same technical backgrounds, BEAM believes that pathways to STEM careers are created through community, individual support, and access to advanced work that typically lies outside most school curricula. We work to directly support students and to transition them to other supportive enrichment programs that enable their future success.

BEAM's model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs for middle school students (after 6th and 7th grade), weekend classes and mentoring, and STEM-focused support through college. Our program includes not just access to learning advanced math but also support finding and applying to other opportunities, including support with college admissions and financial aid. In addition to our academic content, bringing students into community is a key part of our mission and all of our work is designed to support that goal.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 420+ students at six summer program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our BEAM National pilot program now reaches over 500 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work.

With our strategic plan, our team has committed to transforming the organization from a successful startup to a more mature and scalable organization that can drive change across the country.

Join the BEAM team this summer and make a difference! We are seeking passionate leaders to join our Summer Away programs in New York or California as Associate Site Directors. This is more than a summer role - it's an opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians!

At BEAM, we are dedicated to creating pathways for students who lack access to STEM opportunities, helping them become future scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. We believe in providing every child with the opportunities a top-notch education offers, actively engaging them in problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical exploration, and empowering them to be the leaders of their own learning. We immerse students in deep mathematical experiences through rigorous summer programs and challenging year-round activities, provide academic support, mentorship, and advising, and prepare them for collegiate studies in STEM disciplines, enabling them to attend advanced academic programs, excellent high schools, and strong-fit colleges.

Description of the Position

BEAM is seeking an Associate Site Director for each of its Summer Away sites this summer. Working closely with the Site Director, Director of Student Life, Director of Academics, and Guidance Counselor, you will manage a team of 8-10 counselors and 78 faculty members. You will lead the preparation, implementation, and smooth operation of the summer program, ensuring both academic success and a positive camp environment for our students. Your leadership will not only shape the classroom experience but also help cultivate a strong community of students and staff, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of our students.

Key Responsibilities

In the months leading up to the camp, the Associate Site Director will engage in comprehensive preparation to ensure a successful summer program. This preparation will set the foundation for a smooth and impactful camp experience for both students and staff.

• Complete required BEAM onboarding, including background checks and a mix of asynchronous and synchronous virtual training.
• Read and internalize the BEAM Leadership Handbook and engage with BEAM's full-time staff in virtual meetings to understand the various components of running a BEAM camp. Site Directors are allowed to make selected customizations for their camp and are expected to create a site-specific Leadership Handbook that documents such customizations and can be shared with the other leaders. Associate Site Directors are expected to support Site Directors in these customizations.
• Participate in virtual meetings with the other members of the Leadership Team to start building a collaborative leadership community and to prepare for "Pre-camp Week." The "Pre-camp week" represents the days when leaders and staff meet for training and logistical preparation before students arrive at camp. (2-3 meetings of 1 hour each)
• In collaboration with the members of the Leadership Team, plan the content, staff training, and schedule of the "Pre-camp week" based on templates and guidance from BEAM. More details in the next section. Leaders are expected to start planning virtually and finalize the plan during the "Leadership Retreat" (Pre-camp Leaders only days).
• Support Site Directors in planning the schedule for the "Leadership Retreat" based on templates and guidance from BEAM.
• Participate in virtual meetings with BEAM full-time staff and BEAM's college campus host staff to fine-tune campus logistics.
• In collaboration with BEAM full-time staff, communicate with students' parents and caregivers about the start of camp and student travel logistics.
• Support final selection of your site leadership team (if needed)
• New York only: Attend the New York State Department of Health's Summer Camp Operator Orientation (if needed) and obtain necessary health and safety certifications.

During Camp (22 Days)

During camp, the Associate Site Director will oversee daily operations, support faculty and staff, and ensure a positive, safe environment for students. You will manage staff coordination and logistics, ensuring the camp runs smoothly and meets its educational goals while fostering an inclusive atmosphere.

• Site Leadership
  • Liaise with campus staff to solicit feedback and ensure BEAM is complying with all campus regulations and reporting ongoing needs or challenges that need to be addressed by campus staff
  • Manage site vendors and contractors alongside BEAM central staff to ensure all site purchasing, food service needs, and travel arrangements run smoothly
• Staff Leadership
  • Support daily and/or weekly check-ins with site leadership, faculty, and staff
  • Communicate daily updates to all staff and respond to ongoing questions or concerns elevated by the leadership team
  • Collaborate with staff to make updates to program policies or procedures that are not working as planned
  • Work with site leadership to make timely, thoughtful decisions when conflicts arise and communicate those decisions to staff
  • Ensure all surveys, assessments, and evaluations are administered on time
  • Work with BEAM's Learning and Evaluation team to collect and submit data from all students and staff surveys, assessments, and evaluations
• Community Leadership
  • Oversee the implementation of student travel to and from the program
  • Oversee the campus environment, the safe passage of students (into campus, to their class, and through dismissal), staff/student interactions, etc.
  • Handle student behavior situations if/when they escalate
  • Follow up with families regarding student behavior or attendance issues
  • Facilitate family visits
• Follow crisis plans; provide leadership in case of crisis
• Ensure alignment of practice with policy
• Other logistical tasks to coordinate with the rest of the site leadership, including but not limited to:
  • Managing petty cash for the summer
  • Preparing for and coordinating field trips
  • Planning and supervising evening time with students
  • Organizing staff dinners

Post Camp Wrap Up

• Support Site Leadership in completing the clean-up checklist
• Complete staff evaluations and 1:1 debriefs
• Update BEAM storage inventory with end of camp detailed list of items. Coordinate materials packing and storage facility pick-up services.
• Attend the BEAM-led multi-site Summer Camp step-back meeting

Qualifications

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring experience and, therefore, welcome candidates from diverse and nontraditional backgrounds for this role who have demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to carry out the major duties outlined in this job description.

• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated experience in managing teams, providing feedback, and fostering collaboration among staff and faculty.
• Commitment to Equity: A passion for creating inclusive classrooms where all students feel valued, capable, and supported.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and