Location: St. Louis, MO and Miami, FL

Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time, Exempt

Compensation & Benefits: $11,000 or $14,000 covering training and the full program duration, up to $500 travel reimbursement, and room and board (details below).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a flexible timeline until all positions are filled.

The Organization:

At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving students from under-resourced communities, the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

The Program: Summer Academy - Residential & Commuter:

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.

The Students:

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 Opportunity:

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.

Key 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.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 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

Compensation, Benefits, and Program Dates:

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. Family housing is not available. Training will be delivered through a combination of asynchronous, synchronous, and in-person (on-campus) sessions. Travel reimbursement of up to $500 is available for eligible candidates. This position reports directly to the Site Director.

2026 Host Sites and Dates

1. Washington University (Academy I); St Louis, MO $14,000
2. 1. Remote Training: May 26 - June 11
   2. On-Site Training & Prep Dates: June 12 - June 21
   3. Academy I Session (6-weeks): June 22- July 31
   4. Program Closeout: August 1- 7
3. University of Miami (Academy II) Coral Gables, FL - $11,000
4. 1. Remote Training: June 16th - July 9th
   2. On-Site Training & Prep Dates - July 10th - 14th
   3. Academy II Dates : July 15th - July 26th
   4. Program Closeout: July 27th - August 4th

Working Environment & 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 and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunities:

Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Knowing their importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org