Senior Campus Assistant, Pre-College Programs (Summer '26)

Company Description

Columbia University's Pre-College Programs offer immersive academic experiences for high-achieving high school students from around the world. 

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Pre-College Programs, the Senior Campus Assistant supports the operational, academic, and logistical functions that ensure an exceptional student and instructor experience. This role oversees front-office operations and provides guidance and support on Academic Support procedures, systems, and communication protocols. Responsibilities include coordinating classroom and facility logistics, supporting online course access, assisting with events and field trips, maintaining social media engagement, and serving as a point of escalation for instructional support requests. 

During the summer term, the Senior Campus Assistant staffs and leads the Academic Support Office, responds to instructor inquiries, processes requests through the Academic Support Kiosk, and ensures smooth coordination of academic events and classroom operations. This position requires strong organizational and communication skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and departments to maintain a high-quality academic environment. 

This position is an on-campus work opportunity located on Columbia’s Morningside Campus. Some early morning and evening work is required on occasion, while the primary workday is conducted during normal office hours, 9:00am - 5:00pm or 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Program support (Primary responsibility) 

• Support day-to-day academic operations to ensure a seamless academic and student experience across all Pre-College programs
• Serve as a team leader and resource for Campus Assistants on front-office procedures, Academic Support Kiosk (ASK) workflows, communication standards, and instructor support protocols
• Ensure timely response to requests received through the Academic Support Kiosk (ASK), email, phone, and walk-ins by maintaining effective task tracking and follow-up processes
• Serve as the primary point of contact for instructional support requests, classroom issues, and facilities concerns
• Coordinate with SPS Facilities and Instructional Support to ensure classroom readiness, technology functionality, and swift resolution of escalated issues
• Oversee evaluation proofreading activities and confirm that final versions meet program standards
• Maintain centralized databases for supply inventory, financial documentation, and print requests to ensure transparency and accuracy
• Support guest speaker logistics, including swag distribution, scheduling, and communication, in alignment with established program policies
• Coordinate package pickups, deliveries, and facilities tickets to support efficient program operations
• At the direction of the Assistant Director, coordinate with SPS Events and Central Facilities teams, catering services, and external vendors to support event logistics, technology needs, accessibility accommodations, and transportation of event materials
• Support planning and execution of academic and community-building events, including Master Class Moments, Instructor Receptions, and Instructor Check-In, by ensuring seamless setup, execution, and breakdown
• Perform additional administrative and operational duties as assigned to support academic continuity and program quality

Social media support

• At the direction of the Assistant Director, oversee the creation and management of the social media content calendar for Pre-College Programs that align with events, milestones, and community engagement initiatives
• Capture and curate high-quality content that highlights the Pre-College student experience in New York City
• At the direction of the Assistant Director support the development of media for Pre-College social platforms, ensuring adherence to University media release and branding policies

Field trip support

• In collaboration with the Assistant Director coordinate all field trip operations, including scheduling, permissions, transportation, and chaperone assignments
• Serve as the lead field trip chaperone for designated trips, ensuring student safety, attendance accuracy, and compliance with University and Protection of Minors protocols
• Conduct pre-departure briefings with instructors, teaching assistants, and students to review safety procedures and expectations
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director, assist with logistics, including ticket purchases, supply preparation, vendor coordination, and reconciliation of related expenses
• Maintain and update the Emergency Kit inventory and ensure Field Trip Bags and Envelopes contain all required materials
• Track and report attendance and incidents during field trips by maintaining contact with program directors for updates and instructions
• Support post-trip reporting, documentation, and recommendations for process improvement
• Foster student engagement by connecting field experiences with academic goals and community-building opportunities

Performs other duties and projects as assigned or requested.

This position involves a considerable amount of physical activity and movement around campus and New York City.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or High School equivalency diploma
• One semester of experience with Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with youth in an educational or recreational setting
• Strong leadership skills, with an ability to guide teams toward achieving organizational goals

Additional Requirements:

• Must undergo and pass a mandatory background check
• Must be available to work shifts as scheduled; standard shift times include 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, and 10am-6pm
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
• Familiarity with NYC public transportation or a willingness to learn

Additional Information

The rate of pay for this role is $28.00/hour 

Questions about the role should be directed to hsp-support@columbia.edu

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran