Job Description: Residential Counselor

Get an Insiders Look

To learn about this position from the perspective of some former Residential Counselors, please see TIP RCs Settle in for Summer. This was originally published in The Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper, on June 15, 2006.

General Information about
Duke TIP Summer Studies Programs

Duke TIP campus-based Summer Studies Programs offer gifted students in grades 7-10 the opportunity to learn highly challenging material at a rate commensurate with their advanced abilities. Students enroll in a single Duke TIP-designed course for three weeks of in-depth study and attend nearly 40 hours of class each week between Monday morning and Saturday afternoon. Summer Studies Programs are offered on several college campuses. These programs provide young scholars the unique opportunity to experience college classroom instruction and residence hall life. Highly qualified Instructor/Teaching Assistant teams teach classes of 15 to 18 students. Outside the classroom, a carefully selected staff of Residential Counselors supervises students during meals, free time, and planned social and recreational activities.

The Residential Counselor Position

Residential Counselors (RC) supervise a group of 12-16 students. RCs are supervised by and work closely with the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC), Residence Hall Leaders (RHL), Program Assistants (PA), and the On-Site Director, and other staff members to accomplish the overall mission of the program by attending to the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of program participants. Residential Counselors have one 24-hour period off during each week (Monday-Thursday only). Residential Counselor responsibilities include day, evening, and night commitments, although there are times when an RC is off-duty while students are in class. In addition to supervising students and holding programs/events from 4:00pm-bedtime on weekdays and all day on weekends, RCs will attend staff meetings, be scheduled for duties on a rotating basis, and complete projects during the day. Detailed responsibilities include, but are not limited to, items listed under Specific Duties.

Eligible Driver Bonus

Residential Counselors may receive an additional salary bonus (see salary chart) for participating in driving duties.  To receive the Eligible Driver Bonus, staff members must meet the following qualifications:

  1. Must be at least 21 years of age,
  2. Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license,
  3. Must be willing to drive Duke TIP vehicles,
  4. Must have an approved driving record on file with Duke TIP no later than April 15, 2008. 

Late hires may receive an extension on the April 15, 2008 deadline with prior approval from the Hiring Coordinator.  Staff members who do not meet the April 15, 2008 deadline may drive Duke TIP vehicles (if approved) but will not receive the Eligible Driver Bonus.

Qualifications

A minimum of one year of college academic and residential experience is required for Summer Studies RCs. Experience as a camp counselor, college RA, or similar position is preferred; staff or participant experience with programs for the academically gifted is helpful. Applicants must possess a genuine interest in the academic, social, and emotional growth of adolescents, exhibit maturity and a positive attitude, and be willing to serve as a role model for students. Applicants must be able to work as part of a team; organize projects and activities; explain, support, and enforce TIP rules; and manage administrative responsibilities. There is a driving requirement for certain positions at Duke TIP. Eligible drivers must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, have an approved driving record on file, and be willing to drive Duke TIP vehicles.

Specific Duties

Student Supervision

  • Supervise a group of 12-16 students. Get to know the students in the group, and communicate daily with each member of the group. Review the Medical Form for every student in the group. Meet nightly (before bedtime) with the students in the RC group.
  • Get to know all students at Duke TIP, and assist with students from other groups when the assigned RC has a day off.
  • Serve as a positive role model and resource for all students.
  • Be a visible and accessible presence on campus. Be aware of student concerns and problems, and immediately report critical information to your supervisor.
  • Complete a written evaluation of every student in the RC group at the end of the term.
  • Accompany assigned group of students to meals each day (attend dinner every day and breakfast frequently).
  • Respond to student emergency situations at all times. Utilize emergency protocol outlined in training.

Programming

  • Organize daily programs and activities for students, including evening programs and weekend events. Use creativity in designing activities that appeal to a diverse group of students.
  • Organize an activity once a week specifically for the students in the RC group.
  • Actively participate in committee work. Committees are responsible for organizing specific campus-wide events.
  • Foster an environment conducive to students’ educational goals.
  • Be available to help students with questions or concerns about their academic coursework.
  • Attend classes in which your students are enrolled at least once a week.
    • Assist and collaborate with instructional staff as needed.
    • Work with Instructors to provide assistance with students’ academic or behavioral issues.

Student Discipline

  • Work with other RCs, PAs, RHLs, the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC), and the On-Site Director (OSD) to establish appropriate methods of articulating program and academic expectations and enforcing program rules.
  • Clearly articulate program and academic expectations and standards to students.
  • Enforce TIP rules consistently and fairly. Follow up immediately on student behavior problems as directed during training.

Team Membership

  • Attend residential staff meetings twice a week.
  • Meet regularly with other RCs to plan and organize daily activities for students.
  • Attend individual meetings with your RHL/RLC as requested (approximately two meetings per term).
  • Provide support and assistance to other TIP staff members.

Administration

  • Submit work orders and maintenance requests to the RHLs as needed.
  • Complete room inspections at the beginning and end of each term.
  • Make door decorations at the beginning of each term.
  • Assist in student arrival and departure day procedures.
  • Participate in rotating duty schedule for various responsibilities, including Mail Duty, Shopping Duty, Health Duty, Office Duty, Transportation Duty, Medication Duty, and Emergency Pager Duty.
  • Complete a written program evaluation at the end of the term.
  • Perform other duties assigned by the OSD, RLC, RHLs, Coordinator of Educational Programs, or other TIP administrative staff.
  • Eligible Driver Bonus—Residential Counselors may receive an additional salary bonus (see salary chart) for participating in driving duties. To receive the Eligible Driver Bonus, staff members must meet the following qualifications:
    • Must be at least 21 years of age,
    • Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license,
    • Must be willing to drive Duke TIP vehicles,
    • Must have an approved driving record on file with Duke TIP no later than April 15, 2008. [ Late hires may receive an extension on the April 15, 2008 deadline with prior approval from the Hiring Coordinator. Staff members who do not meet the April 15, 2008 deadline may drive Duke TIP vehicles (if approved) but will not receive the Eligible Driver Bonus.]

General Expectations

  • Arrive on your contracted start date at the specified time and location.
  • Perform all contractual duties at the assigned times.
  • Support the Duke TIP Mission and all administrative decisions.
  • Abide by all Duke TIP policies and procedures.
  • Attend all designated orientation sessions and all scheduled meetings during the term.
  • Residential Staff members, the Residence Life Coordinator, and the On-Site Director are required to live in program-sponsored housing, return to the residence hall by 2:00am, and sleep in assigned room each night. (On off-duty nights, residential staff may sleep off-campus or in the assigned room.)
  • Instructional Staff, Academic Coordinators, Psychological Counselors, Operations Coordinators, and Office Assistants may choose to live either in program-sponsored housing or off campus; those living on campus are not required to spend every night on campus. However, on each night spent on campus, staff members must return to their residence hall by 2:00am and sleep in assigned room.
  • Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits and seatbelt regulations, when transporting students or driving Duke TIP vehicles for other business purposes. Duke TIP vehicles may not be used for personal errands.
  • Refrain from the following strictly prohibited activities:
    • Consuming alcoholic beverages in the presence of students or at any time at the program site (including, but not limited to, housing facilities, classrooms, parking lots, athletic fields, etc.) regardless of the distance from Duke TIP's designated area.
    • Returning to campus in an inebriated condition.
    • Possessing, selling, distributing, or using illegal drugs.
    • Inviting guests to visit the residence halls or to stay overnight in residence hall rooms.
    • Using tobacco products in the residence hall or in the presence of students.
    • Using inappropriate language, including profanity, discriminatory statements, and sexual innuendoes.
  • Maintain professional relationships with all staff members. Relationships and/or conflicts among staff members should never interfere with the proper performance of duties.
  • Maintain professional relationships with students at all times.
  • Enforce all student rules fairly and consistently according to the policies outlined in training.
  • Abide by all policies set forth by the host institution.
  • This position requires a full time commitment. Holding other jobs or taking classes during the contracted time period is prohibited.