Employment Opportunities

All positions listed are for the National High School Institute, colloquially known as The Cherub Program. The NHSI is located in Evanston at Northwestern University. Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional, and personal development.

More positions for our 2025 Summer will be posted here by February 2025.

NHSI Theatre Arts Institute Residence Hall Director

The Residence Hall Director is the legal guardian of the students during the summer in the absence of their parents [IN LOCO PARENTIS]. The Residence Hall Director is responsible for the health and well-being of the students. Any issue pertaining to the health and well-being of the students is directly handled by the Residence Hall Director. They are also the disciplinarian for any instances occurring outside of the curricular program. As such, the dorm director must be well-versed in the NHSI’s disciplinary policies and willing to enforce them at all times. The Residence Hall Director is one of the faces of this program: They must be a person who is always modelling responsible behavior for both students and staff. They must have great leadership skills. The Dorm Director must demonstrate strength in energy, patience, and a deep understanding of the dedication and commitment of the job.

Specifics of the job:
Beginning in May, the Residence Hall Director organizes logistics of the dorm. This includes, but is not limited to, setting a summer on-call schedule for the dorm staff, composing and sending out letters of orientation to the staff, coordinating disciplinary policies and procedures with the Division Director and Administrative Director, and preparing welcome packets for the students and staff, administration of dorm room assignments for students and staff and conducting the orientation of dorm staff in collaboration with university residential life offices and procedure. Show up to campus a day before the staff to pick up printed materials, collect the dorm keys from the housing office, coordinate the move-in day with the NHSI office (i.e., collect classroom keys and equipment), speak with on-campus liaisons (i.e. housing, housekeeping, and health services).

During the program:

Lead and coordinate two “move-in” days; one for the staff, one for the students.
Run a morning-long dorm orientation for the staff which serves to train them as resident assistants (RAs).
Along with the Division Director, be a direct supervisor to the dorm staff for the entirety of the summer.
Administrate the arrival of our 160+ students and deliver all dorm orientation materials and information to the students on their arrival day.
Coordinate scheduling and getting students to health service appointments.
Act as the IN LOCO PARENTIS when it is necessary to accompany students to the emergency room.
The Residence Hall Director is privy to and responsible for the health history of each student. It is the Residence Hall Director’s responsibility to be knowledgeable on the health needs and issues of any students, and to treat those issues with confidentiality.
Coordinate maintenance needs of the dorm with the campus Housing Services and the dorm’s Housekeeping staff.
Delegate authority and assign tasks when necessary to the assistant dorm director and dorm staff.
Be in direct contact with the parents of students who are having health or disciplinary issues.
Administrate and delegate the overseeing of a weekly community service.
Be present at the daily 9 a.m. meeting to give dorm-related news, instruction and guidance.
Spend every night of the program sleeping inside the dorm on the faculty wing. The dorm director’s room is always accessible via doorbell to all students and staff. The Dorm Director is always on call for emergencies.
Oversee the daily delivery of mail to the students

Job Requirements: We require a candidate with a college degree, preferably with a focus on Education and/or Social Work. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills as well as leadership experience and a sense of humor. The Residence Hall Director will live in the residence hall from June 23 – August 2^nd with the students.

NHSI is accepting applications for this position until March 1, 2025

To apply:

Go to Northwestern.edu
Click on Careers at the bottom of the home page
Click on External Applicants
Find the job posting titled Temporary – NHSI Theatre Institute Dorm Director – Job # will be posted here once available

NHSI Theatre Arts Institute Faculty Associate

Hours: approximately 40 hours – full time

Pay: $2,500 plus room and board for 5 week contract; $3,200 plus room and board for 7 week contract

Campus: Evanston

Start Date: June 24, 2025

End Date: August 2, 2025 or August 16th, 2025

National High School Institute: This is a 5-week summer position, full-time day and evening commitment, June 24h- August 2, 2025. [Option to continue into Musical Theatre Extension from August 3 – August 16th, 2025 [available based on qualifications.] Salary is $2,500 for 5-week and $3,200 for 7-week program.

This position is for the National High School Institute (colloquially known as The Cherub Program) located at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

General Responsibilities:

Serve as a teaching assistant in Acting and Voice and Movement classes
Teach a mini-master class
Serve as a Resident Assistant in the Residence Halls
Ensure students’ safety
Nightly check-in with assigned students
Accompany ill or injured students to health center
Assistant Direct one of the eight theatre productions
Please note that this is not a typical “summer camp” job—but a 24/7 commitment where Faculty Associates are expected to be available when classes are in session, for field trips, for performances, etc.

Qualifications:

Current undergraduate students, preferably completing their junior or senior years of college, preferably seeking a degree in Theatre
Skilled in multiple theatre disciplines (i.e. Acting, Voice and Movement, Directing, Design/Tech work, etc.)
Self-motivated, strong work ethic and commitment to collaborative work
Supervisory/leadership experience, preferably in a fast-paced academic environment

To apply:

Go to Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage and search for Job #51776

Please include in your application:

a cover letter and resume
recommendation from teacher or employer
Please create a short video (maximum 2 minutes) that introduces you. Please tell us about a job experience you have had outside of theatre (For example: a summer restaurant job, office job or babysitting, etc.) where you were asked to do a task you did not want to do, and what you experienced/learned from doing it. Please send recommendation and video to Jennifer.avery@northwestern.edu

Deadline for applying is: March 1, 2025

NHSI Theatre Arts Institute Temporary – NHSI Theatre Arts Core Faculty

Hours: approximately 30 hours per week – full time position

Pay: $3,600 for contract

Campus: Evanston

Start Date: June 25, 2025

End Date: August 2, 2025

National High School Institute: This is a 5-week summer position, full-time day and evening commitment, June 24th–August 2rd, 2025. [Option to continue into Musical Theatre Extension from August 3 – August 16th, 2025, available based on qualifications.] Salary is $3,600 for the 5-week program.

This position is for the National High School Institute (colloquially known as The Cherub program) located at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Job Summary: Day-to-day responsibilities include teaching and supervising students, implementing academic program activities, mentoring undergraduate Faculty Associates, attending staff meetings and helping to address staff and student questions and concerns. The Faculty maintains and fosters high standards of professional conduct, managing the safety and supervision of students through enforcement of NHSI policies and procedures. All candidates must possess and demonstrate an interest in the artistic, academic, social and emotional growth of high school students, serve as mature and positive role models for students, and exhibit a strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork.

Schedule for Core teachers is approximately as follows:

Morning Core Classes occur Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 11:10am
Afternoon Electives occur Monday – Friday from 1pm – 5pm (each faculty member teaches two hours during the elective block).

Responsibilities:

Teaching classes in Acting or Voice and Movement
Electives based on teacher qualifications and interest
Possibly teaching Performance Theory, or Text Analysis
Attend program orientation (June 26st through June 29th, 2024)
Attend Weekly Faculty Meetings during 5-week program
Follow all NHSI rules and regulations concerning staff conduct, appropriate dress, program procedures, and other responsibilities as set forth in the staff handbook
Be knowledgeable of administrative policies and University procedures
Please note that this is not a typical “summer camp” job or teaching artist position but a 24/7 commitment where Faculty members are expected to be available when classes are in session, for field trips, for performances, and for special events, such as a faculty recital, end of summer banquet and student assessments.

To apply:

Go to Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage and search for Job #51775

Please include in your application a cover letter and resume

Deadline for applying: March 1, 2025

NHSI Film Institute Faculty Associate

National High School Institute: This is a 5 ½ week summer position, full-time (day and evening commitment), starting June 23rd through August 2nd. Position includes room and board. Salary is $2,500 for the summer.

This position is for the National High School Institute located in Evanston at Northwestern University.

The Faculty Associates (FAs) must possess and demonstrate an interest in the academic, social and emotional growth of high school students, serve as mature and positive role models for students, and exhibit a strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork. The FAs primary responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of students of the Film Institute program. FAs will also work with Film Faculty and Staff, assisting with academically challenging instruction to NHSI students and carrying out administrative tasks as assigned by the Film Faculty.

General Responsibilities:

Serve as a Resident Assistant in the Residence Halls
Ensure students’ safety
Nightly check-in with assigned students
Accompany ill or injured students to health center
Attend program orientation
Chaperone students on field trips
Assist final film productions
Assist with end of program banquet
Assist with administrative responsibilities
Follow all NHSI rules and regulations concerning staff conduct, appropriate dress, program procedures, and other responsibilities as set forth in the staff handbook
Be knowledgeable of administrative policies and University procedures
Based on experience, there may be opportunities to:
Assistants teach in film classes
Create and teach a workshop
Organize and lead community building extracurricular events

Qualifications:

Current undergraduate students, preferably completing their junior or senior years of college. Candidate seeking a degree in Film and/or Theatre a plus.
Skilled in one of the following Film disciplines: Directing, Editing, Cinematography, Screenwriting, or Acting for the Camera a plus.
Self-motivated, strong work ethic, and commitment to collaborative work
Strong interpersonal and organization skills
Supervisory/leadership experience with students, preferably in a fast-paced academic environment.

Go to Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage and search for Job #51800

Send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer.avery@northwestern.edu

Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage

Under “Search jobs” enter “NHSI”. You will then be able to scroll through available positions, listed by their Job ID Number and Job title. Click the job in which you are interested. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH NORTHWESTERN’S HIRING WEBSITE, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE DESCRIPTION.

As per Northwestern University policy, these positions require a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.