Free Speech Forum Counselor

About This Role

This role supports FIRE's Free Speech Forum by providing guidance and mentorship to high school students in a residential summer camp setting. The counselor will facilitate educational activities, ensure student well-being, and collaborate with staff to create a positive learning environment centered on free speech.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support to up to 10 students, ensuring adherence to program policies
• Accompany students to scheduled activities and informal excursions, maintaining a productive learning environment
• Oversee morning wake-ups, evening lights-out, and monitor residence halls
• Conduct nightly suite checks to ensure all participants are accounted for
• Assist with check-ins and check-outs, including registration, nametag distribution, and room inspections
• Mediate roommate disagreements and community conflicts to maintain a harmonious environment
• Ensure participants adhere to evening curfew and report any issues
• Maintain regular communication with the vice president of Student Development, lead counselors, FIRE staff, and health staff to ensure student safety and manage emergencies
• Create and implement supplemental social experiences tailored to the student community
• Address and respond to students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and health-related issues
• Provide students with clear information about FIRE's mission and answer questions
• Assist with transportation for participants, including airport departures and late arrivals
• Ensure the residential needs of participants are met and report facility issues
• Attend and complete all required training sessions before the Free Speech Forum

Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• Good work ethic
• Ability to manage communications with various audiences
• Knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and ability to articulate it enthusiastically
• Availability to live in assigned program housing for the duration of the event
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to think quickly and creatively solve problems in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent judgment in making timely decisions
• Experience working effectively as part of a team
• Comfort and experience working with high school students in an educational setting
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and respectful relationships with students and staff
• Ability to commit fully to the head counselor role with no other personal or professional commitments during the program period
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Nice to Have

• Experience in leadership, teaching, or mentoring roles within summer programs, camps, or other academic or residential youth programs
• Experience working with children or adolescents in structured environments (e.g., coaching, tutoring, teaching)
• Experience supervising or mentoring others, including working with volunteer teams or camp counselors
• Experience attending universities in the United States, preferably undergraduates (rising juniors or seniors), graduate students, or recent college graduates
• Prior attendance at FIRE events