Assistant Flex Counselor
(Formerly Volunteer Staff Assistant)
For over forty years, TIC’s success has been driven by the talent and energy of our staff. To evolve with our community, we have officially retired the Volunteer Staff Assistant (VSA) role and replaced it with the Assistant Flex Counselor position. This is a full-time, entry-level paid role designed specifically for mature rising 11th and 12th graders who are ready to transition from participants to professional staff members.
This position serves as a professional bridge, offering high school juniors and seniors real-world experience in both technology and athletics. Flex Counselors work directly under the mentorship of senior staff, helping to maintain our signature high counselor-to-camper ratios while developing their own technical expertise and professional aptitude. It is an ideal opportunity for those who want to give back to the TIC community while building a professional resume.
Recognizing that older students have busy summers, this role offers a flexible commitment of 2 to 3 sessions (4–6 weeks total). Flex Counselors act as vital "utility" members of the team, providing substitute coverage and operational support across the camp. This is a paid position, with staff earning a lump sum of $600 per session, allowing for a meaningful summer job that fits a varied schedule.
To ensure excellence, every Flex Counselor undergoes a rigorous selection process and over 40 hours of comprehensive training, including on-site workshops and weekly in-service development. This preparation ensures our newest staff members are fully equipped with the skills and confidence to focus on what matters most: providing an incredible experience for our campers.
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Position: Assistant Flex Counselor
Supervisor: Lead Counselor/Leadership Team
Grade Requirements: Rising 11th or 12th grader
Status: Entry-Level Paid StaffProgram Overview:
Assistant Flex Counselors are dedicated, entry-level paid staff who are essential members of the TIC community. This position is designed for mature, rising high school students (rising 11th/12th graders) who seek to bridge the gap from participant to staff by gaining real-world experience. Flex Counselors contribute directly to camp success, focusing on increasing their knowledge and developing essential professional skills in technology and athletics while receiving mentorship from senior staff members. This is a unique opportunity for individuals who want to give back to TIC but have limited summer availability.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
Flex Counselors are primarily tech and athletic staff members who will be trained to assist in all areas of daily camp operations. Duties include:
Serving as a substitute counselor to cover for absent staff members as needed.
Supporting daily camp operations within their assigned tech specialty or athletic activity room.
Actively engaging in hands-on training and mentorship under the direction of a paired, senior staff member.
Assisting with key logistical tasks, including camper drop-off and pick-up processes.
Supporting the execution of special camp events (e.g., TIC Idol, Color Days, Water Day).
Maintaining a high degree of professionalism, active engagement, and willingness to learn throughout the camp season.
Position Requirements:
Must be a rising 11th or 12th grader.
Must be at least 16 years old.
Must attend required Staff Training sessions.
Successful completion of a staff application.
Submission of two external references.
Completion of a successful interview.
Note: Not all applicants will be offered a position due to limited availability.
Commitment and Compensation:
Work Schedule: 2 to 3 sessions total (maximum of 4-6 weeks), which do not need to be consecutive. (Full-day commitment is generally 8:00 AM - 3:15 PM, with a 7:45 AM arrival on the first day of a session).
Compensation: A lump sum payment of $600 per session.
Tax Documentation: Counselors will receive a 1099 at the end of the season.
Camp Dates:
TIC-DC
Session 1: June 15–26 (no camp on June 19)
Session 2: June 29–July 10 (no camp on July 3)
Session 3: July 13–24
Session 4: July 27–August 7
TIC-MD and TIC-VA:
Session 1: June 22–July 2 (no camp on July 3)
Session 2: July 6–17
Session 3: July 20–31
Session 4: August 3–14
Join the Team!
Staff Selection Process:
Step 1: Matchmaking- Are you a good fit for TIC and we are a good fit for you? What is your availability this summer?
Step 2: Apply to work at TIC- Fill out our online application, including three character references.
Step 3: Interview- We will reach out to set up interviews with applicants who we believe will make a mutually beneficial partnership with camp.
Step 4: The Offer- If offered a position we ask that applicants complete all necessary paperwork in the designated timeframe. Your position is only secure once you’ve filled out all paperwork.
Step 5: Preparation- Get ready for the best summer!
Is this for me?
Do you find joy teaching others and helping them achieve their goals? Do you find that spending time with kids and adolescents gives you energy and brightens your day? Do you have a passion for any of the technology or sports options offered at TIC? Do you want to work with others like-minded individuals? Are you prepared to sign, dance, wear a costume to make a child smile? If so, read on, because TIC might be the place for you this coming summer! We are the perfect combination of fun, learning, and silliness.
What we expect from our staff?
Commitment: We ask our staff to be available for the duration of their site’s program, and a commitment to the job. Some exceptions can be made to availability (especially if conflicts are for academic reasons), but preference goes to staff who can commit to the summer.
Passion: We look for staff who have a passion for working with kids and a passion for teaching their area of expertise. Our campers are eager to learn, so if you are into it, so will they.
Growth Mindset: Growth is one of our core values, and like our campers, we want everyone involved at camp to be the best version of themselves and continue to learn throughout the process.
What you can expect from us!
Open communication: We want to make sure that everyone is one the same page and understanding what the collective goal is while working at camp. Open and honest communication is the foundation to achieving these goals.
Training & Professional Growth: We are intentional and thorough with our training, so that staff are setup for success. It is for this reason the overwhelming majority of our staff leave the summer with skills that are applicable to their academic and/or professional lives after leaving camp.
Close-knit & Fun Work Environment: There is no other environment life a camp atmosphere. Having fun is literally built into the fabric of camp. So be prepared to work, but have a ton of fun and laugh non-stop along the way. You will also leave camp with new lifelong friends because of our awesome staff- yes, seriously.
Advocacy for Gender & Racial Equity: We are firm believers that camp should be a space for all regardless of racial and gender identity and will use our camp platform to advocate for equity. This matters to us personally and because this matters to our campers and staff as well. We are here for our camp community!
What else do I need to know before applying to TIC?
Staff are required to attend staff training and commit to at least six weeks of camp. Preference is given to those who can work the entire summer. Dates and Locations.
TIC runs several day camps in the Washington DC metro area with NO RESIDENT FACILITIES.
Preference is given to applicants 18 years of age or older, but we make occasional exceptions for highly qualified high school seniors or graduates, especially if they have been through our Counselor-in-Training program.
The online application will take you at least 20-30 minutes to complete. You may save your work and log back in to continue your Application in Process, but once you submit it, you will no longer be able to make changes.
Be prepared to provide the email address for THREE references (past employers, teachers, or anyone who has seen you work with children, but no relatives) when submitting an application. These references will receive the reference form from TIC. Three written references must be obtained before any official offers are made to any prospective staff.