Dean of Students and Belonging

Position Overview

Key Responsibilities  

• Meet with and regularly engage with a range of students to promote the power of student voice and involvement in all aspects of school life. 
• Serve as a resource to all students, families, and faculty for all matters related to student conduct and safety, including proactive communication with families and students regarding individual situations and general inquiries. 
• Support the Associate Head of School in overseeing the diversity, equity, and belonging initiatives for students and ensure that Kents Hill is: 1.) current with issues and best practices; 2.) continuously addressing issues of diversity and inclusion from a holistic standpoint and 3.) ensuring that diversity and inclusion is a critical component of programs, policies, and procedures.
• Continuously develop and share standards for the conduct, ethics, and skills essential for living in a residential community, including attendance, healthy relationships, interpersonal communication, and technology. 
• Oversees our system for student accountability and safety, including the development of a restorative practices and alternative dispute resolution system, and ensures that all outcomes are student-centered, equitable, transparent, and mission-aligned. 
• Assess, as an ongoing process, policies, procedures, and expectations in our Student Handbook; and oversee the writing, revision, and sharing of the Student Handbook.
• Lead the CARE Team, ensuring effective facilitation, collaboration, and communication across the organization, appropriate behavioral interventions for struggling students, and systematic assessment of progress/impact. 
• Coordinate student attendance, including overseeing REACH, student permissions to leave campus, and academic/athletic/co-curricular attendance.
• Co-Chair the Safety Committee with the CFO and lead all emergency and crisis preparedness efforts, including training (fire, active shooter, etc.), decision-making, and response.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

• Teach one academic class.
• Coach one athletic season.
• Serve as a member of a weeknight and weekend duty team.
• Serve as a Dorm Head.
• Serve as an advisor for a small group of students.
• Act as a PEAK facilitator.

Qualifications and Skills 

• Deep understanding of adolescent development, social-emotional wellbeing, and trauma-informed education principles. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in equity and inclusion work and experience in implementing programming and supporting students around these important issues.
• Experience working in a leadership role with a background in developing and implementing policy, managing crises and the unexpected, and making difficult decisions. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication and attention to detail. 
• Experience with student accountability with a particular interest in resolving conflict through restorative practices and alternative dispute resolution.
• A desire to incorporate diversity, equity, and belonging into all aspects of student life including conduct, residential life, health and wellness, and academics.
• Comfortable with atypical hours and response to crisis situations and emergencies.
• Collaborative, creative, and action-oriented.
• Prior experience in a high school boarding environment is preferred.

How to Apply