About BEAM

The mission of BEAM is to create pathways for students from lowincome and historically marginalized 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.

BEAMs 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 STEMfocused 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 yearround national program serving 420 students at six summer program sites and 600 students in yearround programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition our BEAM National pilot program now reaches over 500 elementaryaged students in seven different states working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work.

With our recent 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.

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR BEAM Summer Away

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 City or Los Angeles as Academic Directors. Our Academic Directors will oversee one of 3 BEAM Summer Away campuses this summer. You will be part of a leadership team which may include an Associate Site Director one Director of Student Life and one Guidance Counselor that manages a full complement of seasonal staff 8 counselors 8 faculty 12 nurses). This is more than a summer role its an opportunity to lead mentor and inspire the next generation of scientists engineers and mathematicians!

Why Join BEAM

At BEAM we foster a vibrant community of educators and students where students are actively engaged in problemsolving critical thinking and mathematical exploration. We empower students by making them the leaders of their own learning while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Description of Position

As an Academic Director you will play a crucial role in shaping the learning experience for middle school students in our Summer Away program. Working closely with the Site Director Director of Student Life and Guidance Counselor you will manage a dedicated seasonal staff of 2329 counselors and 89 faculty members. 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

PreProgram Preparation

In the months leading up to the camp the Academic 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.

SelfPreparation and Planning

• Complete SD Management Training and Faculty Coach training with BEAM staff
• Review Site Leadership Handbook 35 hrs of work selfpaced)
• Support final selection of your faculty team
• Support Student Course Assignments
• Participate in synchronous virtual faculty training and virtual course planning retreat

PreCamp 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 is ready and the camp is set for a successful start.

• Attend Leadership Team Retreat
• Align on leadership roles and responsibilities
• Plan teambuilding activities or social events
• Set up facilities and ensure all logistical needs are met for staff arrival
• AllStaff PreCamp Training and SetUp
• Lead facultyspecific training (academic modules)
• Review precamp training materials and assign training modules
• Confirm staff completion of required HR onboarding (I9 online training etc. and complete employer portion of I9

During Camp 20 Days)

The majority of the summer will be spent providing academic leadership overseeing faculty performance and ensuring a positive and effective learning environment. The Academic Director will also take on leadership tasks that support both faculty and staff while maintaining a smooth campus operation.

Academic Leadership

• Observe faculty teaching and provide coaching feedback 3 observation cycles per faculty member)
• Facilitate collaboration space for faculty twice a week
• Offer guidance on OMT best practices
• Provide and record summative feedback for faculty

Site Leadership

• Liaise between faculty and campus staff to meet classroom needs
• Facilitate daily/weekly checkins with site leadership and faculty
• Communicate updates and address ongoing faculty concerns
• Collaborate on decisions during conflicts and communicate outcomes to staff and students
• Provide emergency coverage in case of faculty absences

Community Leadership

• Oversee campus safety and student passage
• Support faculty in implementing accommodations for student engagement
• Handle escalated student behavior situations
• Set the tone for academic and social leadership by treating students with respect

Other Logistical Tasks

• Manage petty cash and MetroCards
• Prepare and run field trips
• Supervise Open Math Time
• Organize staff dinners and schedule math circles

Post Camp WrapUp

• Support Site Leadership completing the SD cleanup checklist
• Complete faculty evaluations and 1:1 debriefs

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: At least 2 summers of BEAM Discovery experience or 4 years in a leadership role in an educational or youth camp setting.

• Teaching Experience: Proven ability to lead and mentor faculty with a strong understanding of studentcentered math instruction.
• 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.
• ProblemSolving: Ability to manage conflicts and make thoughtful timely decisions in highpressure situations.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks schedules and logistical elements simultaneously.
• Math Proficiency: Solid understanding of math concepts and the ability to guide faculty in the development of engaging curricula.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust plans and approaches based on feedback evolving needs and challenges that arise during the program.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting talking walking and listening and occasional bending stooping and pulling
• Handle and operate computers tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Moderate noise level
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• For day camps: travel to and from campus
• For residential roles live in a dormitory at the campus in which the program takes place

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation Benefits and Other Details

Compensation

• $43.68 per hour for PreCamp work
• $9500 for Camp and Wrapup

Work Schedule

Los Angeles:

• Campus: Harvey Mudd College
• Dates:
  • Leadership Team Planning: 06/23 06/24
  • All Staff Precamp Training: 06/25 6/27
  • Camp: 06/29 7/20
  • Wrapup: 07/21 7/23
  • Camp: 06/29 7/20
  • Staff (SD: 31 days on site Staff: 29 days on site 2 travel days)
  • Students 20 camp days 2 travel days)

Upstate New York:

• Campus: Marist College
• Dates:
  • Leadership Team Planning: 6/30 7/1
  • All Staff Precamp Training: 7/27/4 7/5 flex day)
  • Camp: 7/6 7/27
  • Wrapup: 7/28 7/30
  • • Camp: 7/6 7/27
    • Staff (SD: 31 days on site Staff: 29 days on site 2 travel days)
    • Students 20 camp days 2 travel days)

Commitment to Diversity

BEAM believes that our staff at all levels and across all roles should represent the backgrounds of the students we serve. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination we strongly encourage applications from underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Benefits

BEAM provides a number of benefits including:

• Lunch and snacks with options for dietary restrictions
• 24 staff dinners during camp to relax connect and celebrate together

Hiring Process

We ask all applicants to submit an application including their resume and answers to a few short questions. After reviewing your materials we will contact you regarding next steps. We believe in the importance of demonstrated ability. Some applicants will proceed to an interview to allow our hiring team to learn more about their skills and experiences. We work hard to recognize the time you put into the process and we wont load you down with any unnecessary bureaucracy.

For accommodation requests related to the job application process please contact HR at