Summer Portals Summer Fellow

The-Hotchkiss-School; Interlaken Estates (CT); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board provided

Job summary

The Hotchkiss School invites applications for Summer Fellows to support the Summer Portals program in Lakeville, CT. Fellows will reside in dormitories, supervise students, and assist with academic enrichment activities, meals, and evening programs.

The role emphasizes safety, mentorship, and creating a positive living-learning environment. Responsibilities include orientation, registration support, advising a group of 15–20 students, and close collaboration with Residential Life leadership.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff.
• Stamina to manage long days with activities and supervision.
• Friendly, compassionate demeanor toward students living away from home.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a week-long staff orientation starting June 21, 2027.
• Assist with registration and departure day duties in residential dormitories.
• Counsel, support and guide students as needed.
• Communicate emergent needs to the Director of Residential Life for student safety.
• Support academic enrichment programs and supervise residential life activities.
• Lead afternoon group activities (sports, yoga, hiking, swimming, excursions).
• Supervise meals and monitor evening activities with students.
• Check students into dorms and ensure rooms are settled per handbook.

Skills

Communication skills

Stamina & resilience

Friendly & approachable

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Some college preferred

Job description

Lakeville, CT 06039, USA

Description

Department: Summer Portals
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Summer Programs Director of Admission and Residential Life

Schedule: Full-time, Summer, June 21, 2027 - July 25, 2027

Daily Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.; plus dinner duty from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. on given nights and dorm and activity duty from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. on assigned nights; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.; part of Saturday evening duty rotation; Sundays: part of duty rotation.

Time Off: Summer Fellows rotate responsibilities to cover evening programs and activities while ensuring scheduled time off. While regular afternoons and evenings off are intentionally included in the duty schedule, working with middle school students requires adaptability. Members of the Residential Team, including Summer Fellows, must remain flexible when unexpected circumstances arise, such as weather disruptions, staff illness, disciplinary incidents, or urgent program needs.

Location: Lakeville, CT - Room and board provided.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Summer Fellows are responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of Summer Portals’ students, serving as a primary resource for their academic and personal needs. Summer Fellows support academic programming, lead and supervise afternoon and evening activities, and have important oversight and supervision of students in residence. Because their presence with students involves a wide range of contexts, Summer Fellows play an important role in creating and maintaining an effective learning environment and fostering a sense of community for Summer Portals students.

Summer Fellows are expected to create a welcoming, safe, and friendly environment, participating willingly and reliably in all areas of assignment, and upholding program guidelines for the enjoyment and safety of all students. Summer Fellows are expected to comport themselves to the highest standards of personal integrity and professional principles.

The Hotchkiss School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm working and learning community for students and employees from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participate in a week-long staff orientation program on campus, starting June 21, 2027, prior to program commencement. Orientation includes team building activities, CPR/AED skills assessment, campus facilities introduction, and training to support preparation for Summer Portals programming, including: reviewing daily responsibilities and schedules, residential life, student health and advising, as well as maintaining professional boundaries Training components for CPR/AED, Sexual Harassment Prevention, and CT Department of Children and Families Mandated Reporter Training will require the completion of an online module prior to arriving for orientation.
• Assist with registration day and departure day duties in residential dormitories, providing supportive resources and effective communication with both parents/guardians and students.
• Counsel, support and guide students as needed.
• Identify and communicate with the Director of Residential Life, any emergent needs that warrant immediate support, ensuring student safety and well-being.
• As a Teacher Assistant for academic enrichment programs conducted on campus, Summer Fellows are assigned to specific academic programming, attempting to support individual interests, as well as aligning with the needs of the program.
• Lead afternoon group activities as assigned by the Director of Residential Life. Activities include intramural sports (soccer/basketball), yoga, hiking, swimming, town trips to Salisbury and Millerton, etc.
• Supervise all meals in the dining hall, eating communally with students.
• Monitor evening activities which may include movies, student concerts, lectures, and other indoor/outdoor activities.
• Check students into the dormitory nightly and ensure that students are settled in their rooms following guidelines established in the Portals Student Handbook.
• Serve as an advisor to approximately 15-20 students, serving as a primary resource and counsel for their academic and personal needs. Responsibilities as a student advisor include:
  • Serve as a point person for communication regarding an advisee,
  • Meet daily with Student Advisees during the Advisory Period,
  • Spend time one-on-one, seek the opportunity to observe advisees as they participate in the classroom and other program elements,
  • As programming concludes, provide written Advisor comments on students’ participation, progress, and growth providing evaluative feedback for their future personal and/or academic growth. Advisor comments are shared with students and parents.
• Other duties as needed and assigned.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

• A high school diploma is required; some college preferred.
• Previous leadership experience in supporting adolescents is preferred.
• Professional Rescuer/Lifeguard Certification is highly desirable, but not required.

SKILLS

• Communication skills that effectively promote inclusive and respectful behavior among students as well as reinforcing respectful relationships among colleagues.
• Stamina and resiliency during program days that extend into the evening.
• Friendly attitude and approachable demeanor that exhibits compassion, empathy, and patience for students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time.

PHYSICAL WORK CONDITIONS

• Physical ability to lead and participate in activities and other essential program support, which may require a full range of motion and mobility.
• Must live in dormitories and help supervise program participants.
• Ability to live in residence for the full duration of the program.
• Must be able to perform a variety of tasks indoors as well as outdoors.
• The Hotchkiss School is a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Summer Fellows will participate in a two-part evaluation process. During Orientation (July 21 - 25, 2027), Fellows will receive and review the framework with evaluation standards. At the end of Session I, Fellows will complete a self-reflection and receive a written review summarizing their progress and identifying focus areas for Session II. Following the conclusion of Summer Portals, Fellows will receive a final written evaluation via email incorporating observations, feedback and their self-reflection.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

For further information, contact:

Director of Admission & Residential Life

[e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.