Site Director, BEAM Summer Away

Site Director, BEAM Discovery

Join the BEAM team this summer and make a difference!  We are seeking passionate leaders to join our Summer Away summer programs in New York or California as 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!

Why Join BEAM?

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.

The BEAM Summer Away Site Director will work collaboratively with other members of the leadership team: the Associate Site Director, Director of Student Life, Director of Academics, and Guidance Counselor, to manage a team of 8-10 counselors, 8-10 faculty members, and 1-4 nurses. You will lead staff training, preparation, implementation, and smooth operation of the summer program, ensuring both academic success and a positive camp environment for our students and our staff. 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 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. 

Self-Preparation and Planning (approximately 40 - 50 hours)

• 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.
• Lead 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). 
• Plan 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 the 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 New York State Department of Health's Summer Camp Operator Orientation (if needed) and obtain necessary certifications.

Pre-Camp Week Training and Set-Up

During the week before students arrive, you will collaborate with the leadership team to finalize preparations for the summer program, set team expectations, and ensure that staff are ready and the camp is set for a successful start.

• Leadership Retreat: In partnership with the leadership team, Site Directors will: 
• Align on leadership roles and responsibilities, and site-specific operational policies, and add it to the Site Leadership Handbook
• Establish a set of working norms and communication expectations among one another and the staff
• Agree upon a set of team-building activities or social events to build a strong staff culture 
• Walk through all pre-camp training materials and assign training modules to the team
• All-Staff Pre-Camp Training and Set-Up: In partnership with the leadership team and BEAM support staff, Site Directors will:
• Welcome staff upon arrival and provide access to camp materials and accommodations
• Confirm all staff have completed their required HR onboarding (I-9, online training, etc.)
• Facilitate team-building activities
• Facilitate all-staff and role-specific training modules 
• Set up facilities (signage, supplies, room assignments, etc.) in preparation for student arrival
• Walkthrough “run of show” for the first day of camp and discuss common scenarios and how to address them
• Site Directors and other members of the leadership team will arrive one week before the arrival of students and two days before the arrival of the full camp staff. Leaders will also depart camp one day after the staff.
• Leadership Team Retreat (Days 1 and 2 of Pre-Camp Week, starting at 9:30 am on Day 1. Leaders who require a long commute are expected to arrive the night before day 1, and College dorm or hotel accommodations will be paid for by BEAM.)
• All-Staff Pre-Camp Training and Set Up (Days 3, 4 ,and 5 of Pre-Camp Week)

During camp, the Site Director will oversee daily operations, guide and support leaders 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 being a “good guest,” which includes complying with all campus regulations and reporting ongoing needs or challenges that need to be addressed by campus staff.
• Communicate consistently with the BEAM Local Program Director and the BEAM Finance Team.
• Staff Leadership
• Facilitate daily and/or weekly check-ins with site leadership, faculty, and staff
• Guide and support other leaders, making sure work expectations are clear, that staff receive appropriate coaching and support, and BEAM Discovery is implemented with fidelity.
• 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
• Academic Leadership
• Observe faculty teach and provide coaching feedback, in coordination with Senior Faculty and Academic Director, who also have observation roles. 
• Make sure summative feedback to faculty is recorded and shared with BEAM Central staff.
• Community Leadership
• Oversee the campus environment, the safe passage of students (into campus, to their class, and through dismissal), staff/student interactions, etc.
• Conduct community meetings, especially when a reset is needed 
• Handle student behavior situations if/when they escalate 
• Follow up with families regarding student behavior or attendance issues
• Lead by example in setting the tone of the program (e.g., find the balance of academic and social leadership; treat students with respect; center students as doers of mathematics in the classroom) 
• 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
• Facilitating family visits
• Planning and supervising evening time with students
• Organizing staff dinners

• Complete the SD clean-up checklist.
• Make sure staff complete all students’ evaluations.
• Complete staff evaluations and make sure all leaders complete their staff evaluations and 1:1 debriefs before leaving campus.
• Attend the BEAM-led multi-site Summer Camp step-back meeting

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 verbal communication skills to effectively interact with staff, faculty, students, and families.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to manage conflicts and make thoughtful, timely decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks, schedules, and logistical elements simultaneously.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust plans and approaches based on feedback, evolving needs, and challenges that arise during the program.
• Math Proficiency: Solid understanding of Enrichment math concepts and the ability to guide faculty in the implementation of engaging curricula.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior work experience with middle school students. 
• Prior work experience with students in LA or NYC public schools or serving students from a comparable background. 
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, or another language commonly spoken by BEAM’s LA families or NYC families.
• Experience running training workshops for adults. 
• Mediation training and/or experience. 
• Restorative justice training and/or experience. 

WORK SCHEDULE:

Los Angeles:

• Campus: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
• Dates:
• Leadership Team Planning: June 21 (arrival); June 22 (9:30 am start)-June 24 
• All Staff Pre-camp Training: June 24 - June 27 (arrive by 3 pm on travel day)
• Camp (with students): June 28 - July 19 
• Staff Wrap-up: July 20- July 22
• Leadership Wrap-up/Depart: July 23