Program Jobs
Online Program Facilitator & Campus Program Assistants
Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs offer immersive academic experiences for high-achieving high school students from around the world. To assist in the execution of the program, the University hires currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students to support various aspects of the program's needs.
Online Program Facilitators will serve as administrative support to instructors in the Online Summer program. Campus Assistants will work with Pre-College staff to support and execute various needs of NYC Residential & Commuter program. University housing is available to those working on campus.
The role is ideal for academic-oriented, growth seeking college students who are interested in collaborating with others to create an engaging classroom and community experience.
You can watch a webinar about the Pre-College Programs (Operations) roles here. Questions about the Online Program Facilitator & Campus Program Assistants (Operations) should be directed to hsp-facilitator [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (hsp-facilitator[at]columbia[dot]edu).
Open Positions (Academics Team)
The Academic Support Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Pre-College Programs portfolio during the summer term, with an emphasis on the organization and management of the Academic Support Office and Instructor experience.
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.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all instructional support requests and inquiries.
- While programs are in session, staff the Front Office desk and maintain a clean, organized space, which includes clear, branded signage and well-organized materials and desks. Maintain proper front desk etiquette through all interactions and walk-ins.
- Monitor and process requests via the Academic Support Kiosk (ASK) for Print Requests, Technology Issues, and General Inquiries.
- Field email inquiries submitted to the Academic Support email alias and phone calls to the Academic Support desk.
- Process all print requests submitted via ASK and via walk-in, which includes submitting larger print requests to the University’s Print Services Office.
- In collaboration with the Academic Operations Coordinator, organize, store, and distribute all course supplies and materials. This includes maintaining a tracking system for all materials in and out of the office.
- Deliver course materials to classrooms on an emergency basis and submit office supply requests to the Assistant Director as needed.
- Maintain a central database to track all print requests, including invoice details for requests sent to the central Print Services Office.
- Direct Instructors and TAs to other departments when needed and follow-up to ensure they received the support and answers they needed. In some instances, connect the Instructor/TA directly with other departments via email or escort them to other offi ces.
- Navigate unexpected Instructor meeting requests with Program Administrators by communicating with administrators on their availability. Assist Instructors as needed when administrators are unavailable and in emergency situations, reach out to other stakeholders outside of the academics division when needed.
- Assemble Instructor Welcome Packets to be distributed on the first day of each on-campus session, which includes the creation and design of resource flyers, personalizing each packet with rosters and Instructor details, among other tasks.
- Staff check-in tables and greet guests as they arrive, which includes answering questions, troubleshooting issues as needed, and serving as a general resource for program information.
- In collaboration with the Creative Writing Administrator, coordinate with the School of the Arts (seasonal) Creative Writing Support Office regarding course supplies, material requests, and general program policies.
- Upon request, attend Faculty Lecture Series events to serve as a host, which includes setting up the event space, greeting the speaker and students upon arrival, introducing the speaker to attendees, and serving as a general assistant to the speaker throughout the event.
- Perform classroom checks as needed, to ensure Instructors are present in the classroom.
- Upon request, chaperone off-campus field trips, assisting Instructors with student safety protocols and assisting in the general execution of the excursion.
- Attend trainings on classroom technology to ensure the ability to troubleshoot issues as they arise and conduct outreach to the Classroom Technologies Department to assist Instructors as needed.
- Attend weekly staff meetings with the Pre-College Programs team.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or requested.
The rate of pay for this role is $25.50/hour. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least one year of study at an undergraduate level.
If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact us at hsp-support [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
The Academic Administration Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Pre-College Programs portfolio during the summer term, with an emphasis on the coordination and execution of course planning logistics.
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, Monday - Friday.
Primary Responsibilities
- Work with the Assistant and Associate Directors to perform a variety of tasks related to the support of in-class activities and events.
- Assist in course supply acquisition by communicating with Instructors regarding their requests and reviewing requests to ensure materials and costs meet program requirements and budgetary limits.
- Perform outreach to external and internal vendors to secure materials and coordinate delivery logistics to ensure timely acquisition.
- Submit payment requests to SPS Finance and/or Pre-College Operations by providing proper receipts and documentation to ensure payments are reconciled in a timely manner.
- In coordination with the Academic Support Assistants, maintain a central inventory database and organization system of all course supplies and monitor when items are checked out and returned.
- Assist in the coordination of field trip logistics, which includes bus reservations, supplies, entry fee payments, and the distribution, collection, and tracking of permission forms as needed.
- Coordinate with the Assistant Director and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) on courses requiring EH&S review and action. This includes ensuring all training modules are completed, appropriate classroom space has been assigned, disposal and PPE supplies are provided to Instructors, and required policies are clearly communicated to all parties.
- Manage the guest speaker process and maintain a central database for all summer speaking engagements.
- Communicate guest speaker policies and procedures to Instructors and TAs.
- Communicate directly with guest speakers to distribute and collect signed Media Releases as needed.
- Organize swag to be distributed to guest speakers for online and on-campus engagements. This includes ensuring adequate stock, tracking inventory, and submitting resupply requests as needed.
- Distribute swag bundles and certificates to guest speakers, both in-person and via direct mailings. For direct mailings, coordinate with the University's Central Mailroom.
- In collaboration with the SPS Instructional Support Team, conduct classroom checks for all rooms prior to the start of the summer to ensure rooms meet program standards.
- In collaboration with the Student Affairs team, coordinate details for the Final Showcase event(s), which includes communicating with Instructors and program staff to ensure space reservations are confirmed, security requirements are established, marketing materials are distributed, and all logistics related to the planning and execution of the event are completed.
- Undergo classroom technology training with the University’s central office and assist Instructors in the classroom when they require additional assistance with in-class technologies.
- Coordinate with SPS Facilities, Central Facilities, and CUIT as needed to address classroom facilities and technology issues. This includes submitting work order requests, visiting impacted classrooms to assist and assess concerns, and coordinating short-term and long-term solutions to impacted classrooms.
- Monitor attendance submissions for all on-campus class sessions to ensure Instructors are adhering to program protocols. In the event an Instructor/HS Assistant does not submit attendance, coordinate with the program team to conduct classroom visits to ensure the Instructor is present and is reminded to submit their attendance.
- Monitor conference room bookings for Instructor office hours via the online reservation portal and coordinate with the Operations Team to assign Program Facilitators as observers for each event booking.
- Upon request, attend Faculty Lecture Series events to serve as a host, which includes setting up the event space, greeting the speaker and students upon arrival, introducing the speaker to attendees, and serving as a general assistant to the speaker throughout the event.
- Upon request, chaperone off-campus field trips, assisting Instructors with student safety protocols and assisting in the general execution of the excursion.
- Attend weekly staff meetings with the Pre-College Programs team.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or requested.
The rate of pay for this role is $25.50/hour. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least one year of study at an undergraduate level.
If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact us at hsp-support [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
The Administrative Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Pre-College Programs portfolio during the summer term, with an emphasis on supporting the Senior Director in their execution of summer academic programming and assisting with special projects.
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, Monday - Friday.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist the Senior Director in their day-to-day operations by managing calendar requests, drafting written communications and agendas for meetings, reserving meeting spaces, and serving as a general resource for administrative assistance.
- Send timely reminders for upcoming appointments and follow-up on action items to ensure deadlines are met.
- Act as a liaison between Senior Director and program participants, ensuring effective communication and support.
- Utilize Canva to create flyers for Summer events, including the Faculty Lecture Series, Faculty Reception, Surveys and Lunch ‘n’ Learns. Ensure each flyer is clear, visually appealing and includes all relevant event details, while also adhering to Columbia University’s topography and visual identity guidelines.
- As assigned, conduct research and perform outreach for a variety of projects leading up to, and during the program.
- Collect data points throughout the summer to complete a fully-realized program summary at the end of each session and the summer term in collaboration with academic administrators.
- Assist in the compilation and organization of ad-hoc reporting for senior leadership.
- Coordinate with the Associate Director and Pre-College Admissions Department to organize and execute classroom observations for Admissions and other SPS staff members.
- Perform outreach to instructors to survey their availability for classroom observations and visits by the Senior Director and other staff members, which includes direct email outreach and reviewing course syllabi for potential scheduling conflicts.
- Confirm POM compliance with the Assistant Director to ensure administrative observers are compliant with University Policy. When needed, coordinate with the Assistant Director to register individuals for POM compliance.
- Coordinate with the Office of Alumni Relations and Development and the Pre-College Admissions Department to organize classroom visits and faculty engagements when VIPs visit campus.
- Attend events or tours related to on-site VIP visits as needed.
- In collaboration with the SPS Media Team and other stakeholders, coordinate logistics for photography,videography, and social media projects related to the academic experience.
- Coordinate with SPS Media to escort media team members to various classroom locations and serve as a liaison between their team, instructors, and students.
- Prepare personalized and professional gifts/thank you notes to staff and Instructors as directed. If shipping a package, ensure that all are properly addressed and tracked.
- Manage receipts and maintain a database of purchases in coordination with the Operations Coordinator and Assistant Director.
- On an as-needed basis, order and pick up various program-related items for the Senior Director in relation to program activities and events.
- Provide technical support during training sessions, coordinate with CUIT for complex issues, and troubleshoot laptops, monitors and Zoom Pro accounts when necessary.
- Coordinate and ensure that TIPS (Team for Instructional and Pedagogical Support) Instructors receive all required materials, such as class rosters and course supplies, in advance of class sessions. Provide TIPS with assistance navigating campus and technology troubleshooting.
- Coordinate with SPS Creative to order branded items.
- Attend weekly staff meetings with the Pre-College Programs team.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or requested.
The rate of pay for this role is $25.50/hour. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least one year of study at an undergraduate level.
If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact us at hsp-support [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
Open Positions (Operations Team)
Dates of Employment: June 26—August 15, 2025
Online Program Facilitators hone their organizational and technical skills by assisting instructors in the everyday execution of the online classroom experience.
Primary Responsibilities
- Attend training session to assist in the execution of a positive classroom experience.
- Perform classroom support duties as assigned by the program or designated instructor.
- Work to ensure that students are effectively and responsibly engaging with their course work and community life.
- Promote community engagement by connecting students with information about program offerings beyond the classroom.
- Engage seriously in the program and seek to make a contribution that furthers the goal of community building amongst its members.
Additional Responsibilities
In some instances, some instructors may request Online Program Facilitators perform additional responsibilities outside of the foundational requirements outlined above. Additional duties may include:
- Coordinating logistics for guest speakers.
- Facilitating student discussions, study groups, etc. (outside of normal class hours).
- Uploading documents and resources to CourseWorks.
- Organizing and assisting with in-class activities.
- Assisting with mock trials, debates, etc.
The rate of pay for this role is $22.50/hour. Those hired can expect 10-15 hours per week.
Assignments
Online Program Facilitators receive their course and instructor assignment(s) prior to the training period of the program. Assignments are based on the individual’s past experience, educational background, and interests in conjunction with instructor needs.
Course areas include the arts, business, law, technology and computer programming, the sciences, psychology, etc.
A complete list of course offerings can be found here.
Dates of Employment: June 16—August 15, 2025
Reporting to the Assistant Director, Pre-College Programs, the New York Experience Assistant plays a vital role in the planning and execution of over 100 trips and excursions throughout New York City and beyond. The New York Experience Assistant will work on a team to ensure positive off-campus experiences for Pre-College students and instructors. The role requires a willingness to work across teams and departments.
Field trip execution (Primary responsibility)
- Lead field trips weekly to destinations around New York City
- Ensure all students are made aware of transportation safety and University field trip protocols
- Purchase field trip tickets and process invoices; organize invoices to reconcile
- Serve as point of contact for instructors on field trip and during final planning stages
- Contribute onsite to social media campaigns
- Promote community engagement by connecting students with information about program offerings beyond the classroom
Emergency preparedness
- Send guidance emails to chaperones and TAs with itinerary details and trip instructions
- Pack and double-check Field Trip Bags and Envelopes for essential items
Manage the Emergency Kit inventory and restocking process
Administrative duties
- Track and report attendance and incidents during field trips
- Maintain contact with program directors for real-time updates and instructions
- Proofread student evaluation letters
- Sit in on instructor office hours to be compliant with Protection of Minors Training
This position involves a considerable amount of physical activity and movement around campus and New York City.
The rate of pay for this position is $25.50/hour. Those in this role can expect 40 hours/week.
Dates of Employment: June 16—August 15, 2025
Reporting to the Assistant Director, Pre-College Programs, the Facilities Support Assistant ensures classroom and buildings are operational for the Pre-College Program. The role will work closely with the SPS Facilities team and will assist with other Pre-College initiatives and events.
General building support (Primary responsibility)
- Ensure staff, instructor, and student IDs are working for building access and assist with swiping in if needed
- Coordinate the pickup and distribution of packages
- Coordinate with SPS Facilities on classroom and building issues throughout the program
- Submit non-classroom facilities tickets and ensure timely resolutions
- Conduct pre-program classroom space and attendance checks to ensure readiness
- Purchase and deliver last-minute course needs and supplies
Field trip support
- Serve as the primary field trip chaperone for various field trips
- Conduct final headcount checks before departure and at various points during the trip
- Promote community engagement by connecting students with information about program offerings beyond the classroom
Administrative duties
- Proofread student evaluation letters
- Sit in on instructor office hours to be compliant with Protection of Minors Training
- Assist with student check-in and other program events and initiatives as needed
This position involves a considerable amount of physical activity and movement around campus and New York City.
The rate of pay for this position is $25.50/hour. Those in this role can expect 40 hours/week.
Dates of Employment: June 16—August 15, 2025
Reporting to the Assistant Director, Pre-College Programs, the Program Administration Assistant is responsible for the operational efficiency of the Pre-College Programs office. The Program Administration Assistant takes the lead role in various tasks including reconciliation of over 500 receipts and invoices, ensuring proper online course access, field trip chaperoning, and social media management. The role requires a willingness to work across teams and departments.
Operational support (Primary responsibility)
- Populate the incident report tracker and follow up on pending action items
- Upload and organize receipts and other financial documents in Google Drive
- Lead the inventory process and ensure proper stocking of supplies
- Assist with last-minute classroom support and basic technology troubleshooting
- Submit tickets with Instructional Support to ensure proper classroom access
- Support the receipt reconciliation process
- Print and organize necessary documents, including name tags and invoices
Program support
- Assist in staffing wellness events and other program activities, including tutoring and language learning sessions
- Coordinate student office hours
- Create basic reports in support of Support Youth In STEM and other scholarship initiatives as requested by Associate Director, Pre-College Programs
- Work with attendance office to ensure proper attendance protocols are followed by instructors
- Proofread student evaluation letters
Social media support
- Highlight student events and activities through social media content creation
- Take pictures during field trips and for distribution on social media, ensuring students' media releases are respected
- Post content to the Pre-College Instagram page related to the student's New York City experience
- Support social media content collection and administration
Field trip support
- Serve as the primary field trip chaperone for various field trips
- Conduct final headcount checks before departure and at various points during the trip
This position involves a considerable amount of physical activity and movement around campus and New York City.
The rate of pay for this position is $25.50/hour. Those in this role can expect 40 hours/week.
Training Information
Training dates are dependent on role modality. The Summer 2025 training dates are scheduled as follows.
Online Program Facilitator Training Dates: June 26, June 27, and July 2 (remote)
Attendance of all live sessions are required for this role.
Campus Program Assistants Training Dates: June 16- June 27 (onsite)
Those living on campus will move in June 15.
Online Program Facilitators work with program veterans and administrative staff to learn new skills for the virtual classroom. Training will include learning how to navigate Columbia systems and technologies as well as trainings geared toward communication and organizational skills. Additionally, staff will work with program instructors to help prepare for the start of classes.
Campus Program Assistants will attend in person trainings on Columbia University's campus, with a focus on office administration, operational efficiency, and strategies when working with minors.
Training will be onsite beginning June 16 through June 27.
Those living on campus will move in June 15.