ESSYI Summer Program Staff

Position Title: ESSYI Summer Program Staff 

Semester/Year: Summer of 2025 

Total Positions Available: 10 Staff Members

Supervisor: Jamie MaKinster 

Pay rate: $2,600 (New Staff)

Start Date: July 9, 2025 

End Date: July 27, 2025 

Each year the Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) hires eight or nine college student staff. ESSYI is a two-week, college-level interdisciplinary environmental program for a diverse group of talented high-school students entering their junior or senior years. The program is designed as an introduction to a variety of environmental issues and perspectives. Students conduct research with faculty members in a variety of locations: on the HWS William F. Scandling, in streams, quaking bogs, the Adirondack Mountains, and the Colleges science laboratories. Working in the field, in laboratories, in classrooms, and on a four-day camping trip, students explore a range of topics in environmental policy, economics, and ethics, and come to see the natural world through the eyes of artists, historians, philosophers, and scientists. More information is available on the website: http://essyi.hws.edu. 

We are looking for HWS students who possess the following:  

• A background or interest in environmental studies or outdoor education  
• An ability to work closely and cooperatively with others 
• An ability to lead and take responsibility 
• An ability to work with diverse high school students in a variety of settings 
• An ability to see and meet needs without being directed 
• An ability to adapt to schedule changes and help solve unexpected problems 

Duties will include attending instructional sessions, assisting Institute faculty, driving vans, overseeing student residential life, and a variety of other tasks. Staff training begins on July 9th with the program running from Sunday, July 13th through Saturday, July 27th. ESSYI staff are paid $2,600 for the two-week period and all of your meals and room costs will be covered by the Institute.  

Each year ESSYI attracts 50 high school students from 15-20 different states and at least three or four countries. Student participants come from urban, suburban and rural settings. While we share a common interest in the environment, some students are more interested in science and policy, whereas others lean in the direction of creative writing or the arts. On average, at least 50% of our students are racially and ethnically diverse and we strive to recruit students with a wide variety of backgrounds and identities.  

http://essyi.hws.edu/studentdiversity  

Consequently, we strive to recruit a diverse pool of college students staff applicants as well. 

Applications from any and all HWS students are welcome. 

Application Instructions

Resume: Please include a one or two-page resume. 

Transcript: Please include an unofficial transcript. You can download this from Peoplesoft. 

Personal Statement:  Please respond to the following questions so we can better understand your interest in serving as an ESSYI staff member. Your responses should be typed and approximately a single page for each question. 

1. What academic and personal experiences have prepared you to work in a residential, academic, environmental summer program such as ESSYI? 

2. ESSYI staff members work very closely for the entire two-week period. Describe any experiences that have prepared you to work collaboratively with others.

Format: Please submit your application materials as PDF document (Combined PDF if possible.)

If you are interested, please apply via handshake by Friday, March 28th. Please let us know if you have any questions.