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The Director of Residential Life (DRL) is the administrative and visionary leader of the boarding program which has over 45 students and 12 faculty, responsible for overseeing all aspects of boarding operations and promoting the academic, social, and emotional growth and well-being of the program’s students and faculty. The program consists of an established on-campus dormitory and currently serves domestic and international boarders from approximately 10 different countries. The DRL reports to the Assistant Head of School, works collaboratively with the Head of Upper School, the Co-Deans of Students, Director of the Health Center, Upper School Counselors, International Student Coordinator, and other members of the Upper School administration to support the boarding program in implementing and supporting the mission of the School, our core Quaker values, and ensuring that Residential Life is consistent with that mission and vision. The DRL is also a part of the Upper School faculty and will teach one section of a course as determined by the Head of School and Upper School Division Head. The Director of Residential Life lives on campus.
Responsibilities for the operation of the Residential Program
- Collaborate with the Assistant Residential Dean in planning for Dorm Staff orientation, leadership training, Residential students orientation, recreational, wellness initiatives and other programs
- Communicate regularly with key members of the school administration regarding student health and wellness matters, including but not limited to: the Assistant Head of School, Upper School Administration, School Counselors, US Co-Deans of students,
- Advisors, Learning Specialists, and Dorm Staff
- Serve as a liaison between the School and Residential Families
- Maintain and oversee the Residential Program budget, including approving expenditures and creating annual budget proposals
- Support the Admissions Team in recruitment and retention of students
- Responsible for oversight of regulatory requirements regarding student health records, medication administration, and safety protocols including but not limited to state and county health regulations, HIPAA requirements
Supervision
- Train, evaluate and support the staff of the Residential Program at SSFS.
- Responsible for creating schedules and responsibilities of Dormitory parents and affiliates, delegating responsibilities to the Assistant Residential Dean as needed for efficient operation
- Evaluate the performance of Dormitory parents and Affiliates, including but not limited to an annual, formal, written evaluation
- Mentor and facilitate professional development opportunities for Residential Staff
- Facilitate communication among Residential Staff, students, and families to promote an inclusive, efficient program and work environment
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education-related field preferred
- Experience working with students, ideally in a residential setting
- Demonstrated classroom technique experience
- Ability to set clear expectations and boundaries and hold students accountable.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated experience working with international students
Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving approximately 600 students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can betraced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict. Please note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination, including documentation of a booster shot given five months or more since you completed the final dose in the primary series.
