Residential Counselor

Location: Sarasota, FL

Reports To: Residential Supervisor

Start Date: Wednesday June 19, 2024 (Exact date to be confirmed)

End Date: Saturday July 27, 2024

Salary: Stipend of $400 per week plus room and board

The Sarasota Ballet is looking to find compassionate, experienced, and confident individuals to join our team of residential staff for our renowned Summer Intensive program.

The Sarasota Ballet’s Summer Intensive is a training program for young dancers and aspiring professionals ages 12-22. Over 5 weeks, students participate in a thorough schedule of classes at our locations around Sarasota taught by our esteemed Education faculty. Residential students will experience a supportive environment and build their life skills and independence. The Summer Intensive will have approximately 150 students, with around 100 of those participating in the residential experience. The residential students and staff will be living at the Hyatt hotel in downtown Sarasota.

Classes will take place in the various locations from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday’s. At the culmination of the five weeks, students will have performances at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Throughout the week, residence staff will plan activities on or off campus.

Residential Counselors are responsible for helping to create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive residential environment for adolescents living away from home.

Residential Counselors shifts will be both day and night. This is a full-time, live-in job and there will not be time for other work or outside commitments. Residential Counselors will receive one day off per week (however may be needed to work that day off if required). They will work a mixture of day and night shifts throughout the five-week program. Residential Counselors will live in the Hyatt hotel in a shared room with other Counselors.

Main duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct and report back on any duties assigned by the Residential Supervisor and Assistant Residential Supervisor.
• Be a contact for all parental inquiries and keep good communication with the staff at The Sarasota Ballet.
• Report any concerns to Residential Supervisor and Assistant Residential Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Assist in any duties required by The Sarasota Ballet during day shifts including being on-site at any of our studio locations.
• Assist with processing student mail and packages.
• Interface with Sarasota Ballet Education staff.
• Assist in overseeing meals and ensure students are getting adequate nutrition.
• Assist with overseeing organization and implementation of all recreational activities, excursions, and other events; creating fun and engaging programming for students.
• Assist with overseeing check ins, check outs, and ensure students are keeping both rooms and shared areas in a sanitary, organized manner.
• Keep a keen eye out for signs of stress, homesickness, culture shock, health problems, drug or alcohol abuse, and any other matters affecting student health and safety.
• Monitor and enforce any Health and Safety protocols.
• Assist in overseeing and enforcing curfews and bedtimes.
• Ensure a positive, supportive, and nurturing environment for all students.
• When necessary, assist with transporting students to/from studios and doctors’ appointments using Sarasota Ballet vans.
• Maintain an understanding of The Sarasota Ballet’s policies and emergency procedures.
• Assist with new student orientation weekly to any incoming residents.
• Assist and ensure all students are waking up with adequate time, maintaining proper hygiene and maintaining an organized environment in their dorm room.
• Assist in overseeing the packing of lunches for any student requiring assistance or any student who is ill for the day.
• Attend the phone for all summer related emergencies from families of boarding students throughout the program.
• Take and monitor daily attendance of students.

Qualifications:

Candidates must understand the responsibility of taking on the roles of caregiver and role model while students are away from home. The role is best suited towards individuals with experience and passion for working with groups of children in a supervisory teaching, counseling, or residential setting.

In addition:

• Ability to represent The Sarasota Ballet in a professional and positive manner.
• Conflict resolution skills and the ability to mediate as situations arise.
• Ability to display empathy and compassion for students and parents.
• Must be able to pass a Level 2 criminal background check.
• Must be able to drive and pass a driving background check.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at commencement of the program.
• Must be CPR/ First Aid/ AED certified or complete provided certification prior to commencement of the program.
• Must be able to legally work in the United States.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to speak a second language.

Compensation:

Alongside the weekly stipend, Residential Counselors will receive room and board at the Hyatt hotel. Additionally, all admission prices to planned excursions will be covered.

Residential staff are responsible for the costs of transportation to/from Sarasota. The Sarasota Ballet does not provide transportation or cover travel fees at any time, including if position is terminated for any reason.

Exact start date is to be confirmed but is likely to be around Wednesday June 19, 2024. Students move-in on Sunday June 23, 2024. Additionally, meals for residential staff will not begin on campus until Sunday evening June 23, 2024. Staff will be required to move out following the completion of employment, Saturday July 27, 2024.