About BEAM

The mission of BEAM is to create pathways for students from low-income and underserved communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. Led by staff with these same technical backgrounds, BEAM believes that pathways to STEM careers are created through community, individual support, and access to advanced work that typically lies outside most school curricula. We work to directly support students and to transition them to other supportive enrichment programs that enable their future success.

BEAM's model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs for middle school students (after 6th and 7th grade), weekend classes and mentoring, and STEM-focused support through college. Our program includes not just access to learning advanced math but also support finding and applying to other opportunities, including support with college admissions and financial aid. In addition to our academic content, bringing students into community is a key part of our mission and all of our work is designed to support that goal.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 420+ students at six summer program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our BEAM National pilot program now reaches over 500 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work.

With our strategic plan, our team has committed to transforming the organization from a successful startup to a more mature and scalable organization that can drive change across the country.

Guidance Counselor, BEAM Discovery

 

Join the BEAM team this summer and make a difference!  We are seeking passionate leaders to join our Discovery summer programs in Los Angeles or New York City as Guidance Counselors. This is more than a summer role - it’s an opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians!

Why Join BEAM?

At BEAM, we are dedicated to creating pathways for students who lack access to STEM opportunities, helping them become future scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. We believe in providing every child with the opportunities a top-notch education offers, actively engaging them in problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical exploration, and empowering them to be the leaders of their own learning. We immerse students in deep mathematical experiences through rigorous summer programs and challenging year-round activities, provide academic support, mentorship, and advising, and prepare them for collegiate studies in STEM disciplines, enabling them to attend advanced academic programs, excellent high schools, and strong-fit colleges. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

Embark on a life-changing summer as a Guidance Counselor with Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a program dedicated to empowering bright, underserved students to discover the world of enrichment math. Whether in Los Angeles or in New York City, you’ll play a vital role in creating a supportive, inspiring, and transformative environment for middle schoolers exploring their love of learning.

This is a chance to make a lasting impact on students as they navigate an exciting yet challenging new chapter. By fostering connections, addressing emotional needs, and helping build a thriving community, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring students flourish both socially and academically.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Self-Preparation and Planning (approximately 30 - 50 hours)

• Complete required BEAM onboarding, including background checks and a mix of asynchronous and synchronous virtual training.
• Read and internalize the BEAM Leadership Handbook and engage with BEAM’s full-time staff in virtual meetings to understand the various components of running a BEAM camp. Site Directors are allowed to make selected customizations for their camp and are expected to create a site-specific Leadership Handbook that documents such customizations and can be shared with the other leaders. 
• Participate in virtual meetings with the other members of the Leadership Team to start building a collaborative leadership community and to prepare for “Pre-camp Week.” The  “Pre-camp Week” represents the days when leaders provide staff training, build community, and prepare camp logistics before students arrive. (2-3 meetings of 1 hour each)

Pre-Camp Week Training and Set-Up

During the week before students arrive, you will collaborate with the leadership team to finalize preparations for the summer program, set team expectations, and ensure that staff is ready and the camp is set for a successful start.

• Attend the leadership retreat day
• Facilitate team-building activities
• Lead a training of your design to prepare staff for working with middle school students
• Support the setup of the facilities (signage, supplies, room assignments, etc.) in preparation for student arrival
• Support the leadership team in establishing a set of working norms and communication expectations among one another and staff, especially regarding communication about student 1-1 support needs.

During the summer: (25 Days)

Counsel Students

• Build relationships with students from the start of the program, opening lines of trust with them during non-academic activities.  
• Support students in addressing common challenges (especially those who experience shyness or anxiety). 

Support Individual Student Needs and Community Needs As Needed

• Assess student needs and recommend next steps. 
• Lead mediation (student/student or student/staff). 
• Implement restorative justice processes. 
• Implement behavior contracts. 
• With other leadership staff, make calls home to keep families informed. 

Program Leadership

• Serve on a 5-person leadership team (along with the Site Director, Associate Site Director, Academic Director, and Director of Student Life) to ensure the program runs smoothly. Provide advice to this group and handle the next steps that you are best suited to handle. 
• Guide other staff as they work to address and support mental health and other student needs.

Attendance Communication

• Review daily attendance records.
• Implement attendance next steps (including calls home by you or office staff for unexpected absences). 

Support the Community of Students

• Lead an activity of your choice daily with students (such as sports, arts & crafts, board games).
• Staff the main office and answer student questions. 
• Eat breakfast and lunch with students (except when this is the best time to meet with a student one-on-one). 
• Organize daily afternoon snack distribution. 
• (Occasionally) cover the responsibilities of counselors due to staff absences, including covering additional activities or supporting Open Math Time. 
• Accompany students on field trips. 

While your role is not mathematical in nature, to cultivate a positive learning environment, we expect all staff to foster a supportive attitude towards students' math learning, which you could do by visiting students in classes, inquiring about their learning or growth, or simply displaying curiosity about the math in the program.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring experience and, therefore, welcome candidates from diverse and nontraditional backgrounds for this role who have demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to carry out the major duties outlined in this job description. 

Above all, we're looking for people who are passionate about the work and impact of BEAM. It is much more important to us that we hire someone with the right approach than someone with a particular background.  

That said, because you would be leading the socioemotional response team over the summer, we’re looking for someone with formal and/or extensive training, which could be demonstrated through:

• Having an MSW degree and/or a social work license. 
• Having a degree in counseling and/or counseling certification. 
• In the absence of such formal training, 3+ years of counseling work history. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior work experience with middle school students. 
• Prior work experience with students in LA or NYC public schools or serving students from a comparable background. 
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, or another language commonly spoken by BEAM’s LA families or NYC families.
• Experience running training workshops for adults. 
• Mediation training and/or experience. 
• Restorative justice training and/or experience. 
• Interest in mathematics and/or broader curiosity about learning new things.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Los Angeles Campus Details:

• Location: Central Los Angeles
• Program Dates (in person):

• Staff Dates: June 15-August 1
• Leadership Team Planning: June 15
• All Staff Pre-Camp Training: June 16-June 18 (Juneteenth Observed)
• Camp Dates: June 22-July 24
• Wrap-Up: July 27-July 29

New York City Campus Details:

• Locations: Uptown (Harlem or South Bronx) and Downtown (New Design High School)
• Program Dates (in person):

• Leadership Team Planning: 6/29
• All Staff Pre-Camp Training: 6/30 -  07/02
• Camp Dates: 07/06 - 08/07
• Wrap-Up: 08/10 - 8/11
• Leadership Wrap Up: 8/12

Compensation, Benefits, and Other Details

Compensation

• $32.50 per hour for Pre-Camp work
• $8,500 for Camp and Wrap-up

Benefits

BEAM provides a number of benefits, including:

• Lunch and snacks, with options for dietary restrictions
• 2–3 staff dinners during camp to relax, connect, and celebrate together
• Limited, assigned parking is available (Los Angeles)

Commitment to Diversity

BEAM believes that our staff, at all levels and across all roles, should represent the backgrounds of the students we serve. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination, we strongly encourage applications from underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Hiring Process

• Application, including resume and answers to a few short questions. 
• Phone screening and virtual interviews with BEAM staff. Details will be sent by email.

For accommodation requests related to the job application process, please contact HR at accommodations@beammath.org.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

BEAM is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protected hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), ethnicity, religion (including clothing or facial hair worn in accordance with the religious tenets), color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, breastfeeding, gender (including actual or perceived sex, gender identity, and gender expression including a person’s actual or perceived gender-related self-image, appearance, behavior, expression, or other gender-related characteristic, regardless of the sex assigned to that person at birth), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran, active military service member, or uniform service member, marital or partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, age (18 or older), predisposing genetic characteristics, disability, creed, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, unemployment status, salary history, credit history, an individual’s status as having a known relationship or association with a member or members of a protected category, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. 

All personnel decisions will be made in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and subject only to valid (job-related) requirements for employment, benefits, or promotional opportunities.