Free Speech Forum Head Counselor

This position will be based in Washington, D.C. from Friday, June 19 (arrive by 4:00 p.m.) to Saturday, June 27, 2026 (depart after 2:00 p.m.), to support FIRE’s Free Speech Forum. Lead Counselors must also complete four hours of remote training beforehand and attend a mandatory in-person training June 19–20, 2026.

About FIRE 

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides means to preserve them.

Position Summary 

Free Speech Forum head counselors are experienced residential leaders and mentors who support, supervise, and guide the Forum’s counselor team while ensuring the overall success of the program. They serve as the bridge between counselors and camp leadership, providing hands-on management, monitoring student and staff needs, and coordinating logistics to maintain a safe, positive, and mission-driven environment.

Lead counselors ensure smooth day-to-day operations, maintain participant safety and engagement, support counselor development, and foster a community aligned with FIRE’s mission. They are also responsible for assisting with emergency response, overnight supervision rotations, and residence hall management.

This is an intensive, fully residential role requiring full-time commitment from Saturday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27, 2026, including evenings and weekends. Lead counselors will live on campus at American University with the participants and counselor team.

The lead counselor reports to the vice president of Student Development and works closely with attendees, FIRE staff, and counselor team. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Supervision

• Serving as a leader and point of contact for a team of 25 counselors.
• Providing guidance, mentorship, and logistical support to counselors throughout the program.
• Coordinating and leading daily counselor meetings to review schedules, responsibilities, and student updates.
• Rotating overnight duty shifts, conducting regular rounds through the residence hall, and responding to any issues or emergencies.
• Working as an intermediary between the counselor team and camp leadership, ensuring effective communication and consistent application of policies.
• Giving feedback and support to counselors to maintain a positive and professional team dynamic.
• Maintaining regular communication with the vice president of Student Development, lead counselors, FIRE staff, and health staff to ensure student safety, manage risk, and address emergency situations.

• Overseeing daily residential and activity logistics, ensuring timely transitions and smooth implementation of programming.
• Monitoring the overall well-being of students and counselors, addressing social, emotional, or behavioral concerns in coordination with FIRE staff.
• Assisting with enforcing program expectations, managing student conduct, and supporting conflict resolution.
• Guiding and supporting participants, ensuring they understand and follow program policies.
• Accompanying students to scheduled activities and informal excursions, maintaining a productive learning environment and orderly behavior.
• Working with the FIRE team to facilitate participant check-ins and check-outs. This includes:
  • Checking in attendees, ensuring their arrival, distributing nametags, and assisting with orientation.
  • Overseeing check-out procedures, such as room inspections.
• Providing students with clear information about FIRE's mission, answering any questions they may have.

• Assisting with transportation for participants, including facilitating airport departures and late arrivals.
• Ensuring all transportation details are clearly communicated to students.
• Ensuring that the residential needs of participants are met, including facilities and accommodations, and report any issues.

Training 

• Attending and completing all required training sessions before the Free Speech Forum, including orientation and sessions on health and safety, and harassment prevention training.
• Attending mandatory in-person training on June 19-20, 2026.
• Completing four hours of mandatory virtual training before June 19, 2026.
• Travel, meals, and lodging will be provided for the training in Washington, D.C. on June 19-20, 2026.

Lead counselors must be at least 18 years old. A successful candidate will have a good work ethic and have the ability to manage communications with various different audiences. Most importantly, the candidate must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that mission in a way that will make others enthusiastic about our cause.

A candidate must also demonstrate:

• Availability to live in assigned program housing for the duration of the event.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to think quickly and creatively solve problems in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent judgment in making timely decisions.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team.
• Comfort and experience working with high school students in an educational setting.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and respectful relationships with students and staff.
• Ability to commit fully to the head counselor role, with no other personal or professional commitments during the program period.
• Ability to meet standard background check requirements.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Experience in leadership, teaching, or mentoring roles within summer programs, camps, or other academic or residential youth programs.

• Prior experience serving as a counselor at the FIRE Free Speech Forum
• Experience working with children or adolescents in structured environments (for example, coaching, tutoring, teaching).
• Experience supervising or mentoring others, including working with volunteer teams or camp counselors.
• Experience attending universities in the United States, preferably undergraduates (rising juniors or seniors), graduate students, or recent college graduates.
• Prior attendance at FIRE events.

Lead counselors will be compensated at a rate of $20 per hour, including overtime where applicable, and are expected to work up to 110 hours total, including training. Payment will be issued after the conclusion of the Free Speech Forum.

Applications 

Applicants should provide a resume and a cover letter. All applications are confidential. Please address applications to Cait Scanlan, Chief People Officer.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

As part of FIRE's hiring process, all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state and local law.