FSY Residential Counselor Job Description

First-Year Scholars at Yale - Residential Counselor

Description

The FSY Residential Counselor is responsible for advising and counseling a small group of students. Counselors oversee the welfare of each of their students and are the first point of contact when students have questions or problems. Counselors work under close supervision of a Residential Director and FSY Program staff with whom they meet weekly for reporting and planning. Throughout the summer, Counselors participate in community duties and curriculum work, helping to organize events and activities and to ensure the program runs smoothly.

FSY may adjust the activities and/or responsibilities associated with these positions in response to guidance on COVID-19 from state, local, and university authorities. Any changes will not affect compensation for this position. Counselors are not responsible for enforcing public-health guidelines, although they may serve in an educational function for the FSY community.

Responsibilities:

1. Regulations, Counselees, and Communication: Counselors work with YSS staff and FSY program staff to make sure appropriate summer program regulations are communicated to their counselees. Some of this information will be presented during Orientation for the FSY students; however, Counselors may refer to the YSS Student Handbook for all summer regulations.  Counselors should get to know their students well and must be accessible and approachable. Counselors may be involved with communication and outreach efforts which may include sending announcements via email or text, postering entryways, and weekly newsletter writing. Counselors help ensure that information is regularly updated. Counselors also create nametags for doors to facilitate an easy move-in day. Counselors should regularly check in with their students and address any questions or problems quickly and courteously. The RDs should be informed of any serious issues that have been addressed, and they will determine whether the HoSC or DoAA should be notified.
2. Community Building: Counselors should be present in college spaces, including the dining hall, library, courtyard, etc. during the evening hours and weekends and, whenever possible, they should make themselves available to students if they need help.
3. Meetings & Activities: FSY counselors will have mandatory weekly all-counselor meetings with the FSY RDs. FSY counselors hold frequent sessions with their counselees throughout the week based on a specifically designed curriculum that aligns with the various programming planned for the students. Counselors are expected to lead team-building activities and will participate in certain workshops with their students, as assigned.
4. Shifts: Counselors will be expected to plan and attend evening events such as movie nights, game nights, etc. and shifts in the buttery in conjunction with YSS counselors. Counselors will have multiple shifts to assist with checking in FSY students at various workshops/presentations but are not expected to attend every session with their counselees. RDs will provide a schedule of shifts for the entirety of FSY. Any pre-assigned duties may be exchanged with other counselors to arrange for a more compatible schedule IF (a) both counselors agree; (b) the RDs are informed; and (c) the switch is made at least 24 hours in advance of the assigned duty (so that the RD on duty is aware who is responsible for the respective shifts). To ensure the smooth operation of the FSY program, counselors should avoid last-minute shift changing. Note: Counselors who request a shift change but are unable to secure a replacement are still responsible for covering their assigned shift.
5. Trips: Counselors must attend all FSY trips off campus which typically include the Outdoor Education Center, a zip-lining excursion, and a trip to New York City. Counselors will also be expected to help with the planning and execution of these events. In addition to off-campus trips, Counselors are expected to assist with the alumni event and attend the final dinner.
6. Move-In/Move-Out: All counselors must be in residence during the move-in and move-out periods. Counselors help to move students into their colleges as assigned during the designated move-in period. Counselors escort students to their rooms with their luggage and talk to students about mandatory meetings, the dining hall, facilities, etc. At the end of the summer, Counselors inspect student rooms and suites to ensure that garbage is removed, and furniture is intact and collect the students’ keys and turn them into the housing office.
7. Pre-FSY activities: Prior to the FSY program, Counselors will be asked to attend a residential staff meeting and participate in a Bulldog Days event and Information Session(s). Counselors will also be asked to complete a handful of tasks including the creation of their biographical profile to be shared with students and working in pairs to submit NYC trip proposals for RD and FSY program staff review and approval.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Any currently enrolled Yale undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing or any Yale alumnus is eligible to apply. While no single formula can describe the sort of person who would make the most effective counselor, applicants should be mature students who enjoy working with others and who feel committed to the intellectual and social values of residential college life.  The job also requires excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, integrity, good judgment, and energy.

Compensation

FSY Counselors will be paid a stipend of $2,250. Please note that the stipend may be contingent on other Yale funding received.

FSY Counselors are given free room and board for the orientation period and the ten weeks of YSS, plus a tuition reduction for the equivalent of one summer course credit. We recommend that counselors who choose to take advantage of their free course credit take the course in Session A. Counselors who would like to take a course during Session B should note this on their application as they will need to obtain permission from FSY staff to ensure that the course will not conflict with their counselor responsibilities. If an FSY Counselor decides not to enroll in a summer course, this tuition reduction cannot be converted into an additional stipend.

The Counselor position requires a significant commitment during summer. Counselors may undertake limited part-time employment and other activities only if these extra commitments do not conflict with their scheduled counselor responsibilities.

Additional Information

FSY Counselors are entitled to housing on campus beginning on May 23, 2024, and they may move into their rooms on May 23, 2024, at the same time as the YSS staff.  Counselors who elect to move into housing later, must notify the FSY staff of their move in plans by April 28.  FSY Counselors must be on campus no later than 4:00 p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2024.  Counselors will be required to attend mandatory training sessions beginning on Thursday evening and all day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, ending with the first move-in of counselees on Monday. This training cannot be missed, made up, or sacrificed due to conflicts with other programs’ commitments or training sessions. Inability to make the training sessions will result in the forfeiture of the counselor position. Counselor duties continue through Sunday, August 4, 2024. The Residential Life Staff is expected to participate in the end-of-summer staff event.

To be effective in their work, counselors should be familiar with the academic, dormitory, and dining hall regulations of Yale Summer Session. The counselors pledge to uphold these regulations and ensure that FSY students comply with them as well. This obligation is especially strong with regard to monitoring the protection of personal and university property, the residents’ right to safety and quiet, and the legal control of alcohol and other drugs. Counselors must conduct themselves in a way that models the behavior expected of the students in the college.

Please note that Yale student health insurance coverage ends July 31 for graduated students. This position does not provide extended health benefits beyond July 31.

General Conduct Statement

Yale Summer Session is an academic community dedicated to the advancement of learning and abides by the guidelines detailed by Yale College’s Undergraduate Regulations as follow: 1) All staff and students should be committed to protecting free expression and peaceful dissent and to preserving mutual respect and charitable relations among all members of the Summer Session community. 2) Physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any member of the YSS community is contrary to the basic principles of the University. 3) Violations of these principles may result in immediate and permanent separation from Yale Summer Session.