Summer Academies Assistant Site Director - Residential

Thrive Scholars Jobs • Saint Louis, MO

10d • $11,000 - $14,000 • Onsite

About The Position

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 our residential Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing commuter-based Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 and Chicago in 2025, while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who do not have an academy in their community. We expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years. Our students are high-achieving, including first-generation college-goers 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. When scholars attend their first summer academy, whether commuter or residential, they are a rising high school senior. The Assistant Site Director (ASD) plays a critical leadership role at our Residential Summer Academy. Working closely with the Site Director, the ASD helps oversee daily programming in their "Operational Zone”, ensures the health and safety of Scholars, and supervises College Readiness Fellows (Fellows) who serve in camp counselor–like roles. This is a live-in position, with ASDs residing in student housing alongside Scholars, like a Hall Director. The ASD will collaborate with the site leadership team to provide 24-hour coverage throughout the program and will take one day off per week. Planning responsibilities begin prior to the start of Summer Academy, and ASDs assist with program closeout and reporting at the end of the summer.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or related field preferred
• Minimum 3 years working full-time with youth in educational or residential settings.
• Experience in living-learning communities such as academic summer programs, residential high schools, or higher education.
• Highly dependable, with a strong focus on fostering a positive, student-centered environment.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and mentor college-aged staff.
• Familiarity with residential compliance and/or youth safety practices.
• Experience working with young adults, ideally in diverse, residential, and/or camp settings.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities; thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid driver’s license required; CPR/First Aid certification preferred
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or related field preferred
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Staff Management & Administration Supervise and support Fellows, including training and scheduling.
• Manage assigned Operational Zone; including budgets, supplies, and Fellow assignments.
• Partner with the Site Director to troubleshoot challenges and implement solutions.
• Support student health needs in coordination with program nurses.
• Assist with inventory, campus closeout, and end-of-program reporting.
• Student Support & Safety Monitor student well-being, participation, and engagement.
• Address residential, academic, health, and socio-emotional concerns as they arise.
• Enforce program policies and the Code of Conduct, providing guidance and recommendations for consequences, if needed.
• Mediate scholar and staff conflicts fairly and confidentially.
• Serves as the primary contact for assigned scholars and fellows Programming Leadership Ensure daily program schedule and operations run smoothly.
• Collaborate with Thrive staff and Site Director to plan and execute student orientation and welcome events.
• Design, implement, and supervise off-site field trips and enrichment programming.

Benefits

• Travel reimbursement of up to $500 is available for eligible candidates.
• Assistant Site Directors will receive $11,000 or $14,000 to cover training and the full program duration (based on program length).
• Candidates are expected to live on site for the duration of the program; housing will be provided, and some facilities may include communal restrooms.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Director