USC Bovard Scholars aims to help high-achieving high school students with financial need gain admission to and succeed at the nation’s top universities.  Scholars will receive admission and financial aid guidance, personalized career exploration opportunities, comprehensive test preparation, and leadership development.  Many of our students will be the first in their families to attend college.  The program includes an intensive, two-week residential experience during the summer on USC’s campus at no cost to the students.

USC Bovard Scholars is seeking a motivated and driven leader to serve as Residential Coordinator for the 2025 summer intensive.  Candidates should have experience supporting diverse and economically disadvantaged students within an academic environment. The ideal candidates will have experience working with high school students and a passion for expanding student access and academic opportunity. 

This is a full-time, live-in professional position overseeing 100 scholars and 9 resident assistant staff.  This position performs a variety of important daily operational tasks.

Responsibilities:

Train, supervise, and evaluate 9 resident assistant (RA) staff members.

Provide leadership to scholars and create and maintain an accepting, respectful, and friendly atmosphere that stimulates student learning and development.  

Establish rapport with scholars and RA staff through attentive listening, genuine care and support, awareness of student needs, and appropriate consultation and referral.

Provide oversight and guidance to RA staff - delegate tasks appropriately and oversee completion.

Respond to emergency situations that include psychological, physical, maintenance, and natural/environmental crises.

Enforce university policies, and Bovard Scholars policies, confront student behavior, and document student actions and/or situations when necessary.

Working closely with the RA staff, create and implement an enriching and fun evening and weekend schedule of activities for scholars.

Serve as a collaborative member of the leadership team, willing to troubleshoot and problem-solve across teams to foster a positive environment for staff and students.

Provide leadership to the RA team, helping them understand and carry out their tasks and enforce limitations to their roles.

Uphold University policies to protect the health and safety of all students and staff. Lead the RAs in understanding and upholding policies. 

Serve as a solution-focused liaison between the RA staff and the broader leadership team to foster collaboration, resolve concerns, and aid in crisis prevention.

Participate in departmental leadership team check-in meetings.

Maintain continuous lines of communication with RA staff via verbal communication and emails, texts, and phone calls.  

Oversee student attendance. Manage the student check-in/out system and procedures for scholars coming to and from campus.  Serve as the first point of contact for classroom staff with tardy students. Ensure all students are accounted for each evening before lights out.  

Lead meal and event coordination. Establish and supervise off-campus excursions, manage transportation schedules, procure meals for trips, and ensure appropriate staff-to-student ratios. Arrange meals for staff and students outside the routine dining hall schedule.

Maintain health/emergency support and documentation.  Document all student medical concerns that are addressed by the Student Health Center or another clinic/hospital.  Coordinate with RAs so all students have a staff member accompanying them to the Student Health Center.  Serve as the accompanying staff member for all off-campus medical visits. 

Other duties as assigned by department leadership.

Required Work Schedule

Summer Intensive Program: July 20-August 3, 2025 (Full-time+ hours per week, live-in, 24/7 position, overtime hours likely)

Evening and weekend hours are required, which are the busiest times, and lighter hours during the daytime.

In addition to the summer session (July 20- August 3, 2025), this role includes: 

Staff Training: One week before the summer intensive program - remote and in-person; Residence hall move-in day will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Onboarding training and preparation in June - remote, flexible, approximately 20 hours total

Room and board

Three meals provided daily, including weekends

The hourly rate for this position is $30/hour. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter.  Once all application materials have been received, selected applicants will be invited in for an in-person interview. 

Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree Supervisory experience within residence life / residential education preferred Experience working with youth/young adults Experience working with low-income students and families Superior writing and communication skills Ability to understand the unique social-emotional needs of individual students Demonstrated cultural awareness and competency Ability to adjust to changing priorities and perform well under pressure Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team Ability and willingness to operate a motor vehicle preferred