Report: Dean of Students

Oldfields School, an all-girls boarding and day school, grades 8-12, located in northern Baltimore County, seeks applicants for a Director of Community Life. The next Director of Community Life at Oldfields School will be a dynamic and thoughtful communicator who can successfully champion student voices and possesses a high level of integrity and a passion for working with adolescents and their families. Candidates should be comfortable making community-informed decisions and maintain a high level of competency when delivering such decisions to the appropriate audience. The work done across all aspects of Community Life at Oldfields School strives to foster an environment that reflects the mission and values of the School, including the ongoing commitment toward becoming an anti-racist institution.

Because Oldfields School has both day and boarding students, faculty and staff members either live on or near campus and help to supervise the dormitories, facilitate weekend experiences and enthusiastically engage in all aspects of school life (residential work, extracurricular activities, advising etc.). It is an expectation that the Director of Community Life lives on campus.

Essential Responsibilities and Key Objectives:

• Responsible for the annual review and revision of the Residential Life Curriculum and Handbook.
• Develop policies and practices to enhance the Oldfields Residential Life experience.
• Create, maintain and distribute the cumulative duty schedule for the academic year.
• Responsible for organizing and facilitating professional development for Residential faculty and staff.
• Outline and enforce clear expectations for Oldfield students and supervising adults.
• In collaboration with the Dean of Students, plan and coordinate opening days dorm parent and AOD meetings, Orientation Weekend programming and student move-in day.
• Assign, organize and distribute weekly dorm duty roles and responsibilities for duty team members.
• In collaboration with the technology department, facilitate the annual training and implementation of Orah software.
• Oversee the design and implementation of the evening Student Life Programming (SLP).
• Create and maintain systems of selection, training and accountability that recognize effort and achievement among dorm parents, AODs, prefects and student leaders.
• Coordinate student permissions, privileges and travel arrangements in partnership with families, advisors, dorm parents and AODs.
• Work in collaboration with the Dean of Students, assist in managing instances of residential student behavior and discipline through the student judicial process.
• Work in partnership with residential faculty and staff to establish high standards for student life educational programs, policies and opportunities that nurture the growth of students as balanced and responsible persons, and provide support for the specific needs and concerns of individual students including advising and residential life programming, student health, wellness and support services.
• Responsible for annual dorm placements and roommate assignments for all returning students.
• In partnership with the Admissions team, co-lead dorm placements and advisor-advisee assignments for all new students.
• Coordinate community meals and special events (community/residential meal seating, holiday meals, dorm dinners etc.).
• Manage the Community Life Budget.

Administrative Roles and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the development of policies and practices for residential and community life including an annual review and revision of the Residential Life portion of the Community Guidebook.
• Serve as a member of the School’s Program Team, Administrative Team, Health & Wellness Committee and Retention Committee.
• Participate in the School’s hiring process, especially in the hiring of student-facing roles.
• Represent the School at gatherings and conferences.
• Actively engage and support the School’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community as defined by the School’s Diversity Statement and strategic initiatives.
• Adhere to and assist in enforcing all School policies and procedures.
• Promote the mission of the School.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School and Assistant Head of School.
• Work closely with the Director of Health Services, School Counselor, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and any third party supports to ensure the good health and well-being of our students.
• Serve as an Administrator on Duty (AOD).
• Serve as an Advisor to 3-6 students in the Advisory Program.
• Represent the residential population as a member of the School Life Board Committee.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or demonstrated years of experience acting in a similar role.
• Experience in independent schools, including residential life, activities and advising.
• Experience leading and managing a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional and empathetic approach.
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills.
• Ability to connect and build relationships with a diverse group of students and adults.
• Flexibility of schedule to be present at and respond to student events/concerns.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a supportive and inclusive learning and working environment.
• Consistent energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
• A passion for creative expression with a willingness to inspire and support all kinds of learners.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
• A high degree of cultural competency and experience with restorative justice practice is desirable.
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn G-Suite applications.

Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, diversity statement, and references in a single PDF document to employment@oldfieldsschool.org. Please reference the position being applied for in the subject line. Onsite interviews may be required.  Background checks are performed on all new hires.  Oldfields School offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package. On-campus housing may be available (but not required) for this position.  Oldfields School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

At Oldfields, each girl’s success is enhanced as we celebrate the personal experiences that often are informed by socio-economic status, race, age, nationality, ideology, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and ethnicity. We honor and respect the opportunity to learn and grow from the multitude of valuable life experiences and personal beliefs from every member of our community. The community is committed to a continuously active and innovative process of creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Oldfields School prohibits discrimination based on the following characteristics: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability and age in its admissions procedures, educational programs, services, activities or employment practices.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the School’s non-discrimination policies, including its Title IX policy:

Name: Claire Guidera

Title: Dean of Students

Office Address: 1500 Glencoe Rd. Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152

Telephone Number: 443-662-1005

Email Address: guiderac@oldfieldsschool.org

For assistance related to Title IX or other civil rights laws, please contact OCR at OCR@ed.gov or 800-421-3481, TDD 800-877-8339.