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.

SSFS offers an inquiry-based college preparatory program that emphasizes deep understanding throughout the curriculum while encouraging collaboration, instilling confidence, fostering practical experience, and cultivating respect for others. The School's teachers help students internalize a process we call "QRA” —Question, Reflection, Action—which ensures that they think critically, integrate new knowledge, and apply what they learn. We help students develop their individual sense of purpose as they become caring citizens of the world.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict. Our teachers are lifelong mentors and strive to identify and cultivate each student’s intellectual, extracurricular, and social passions. In doing so, we help shape students whose actions speak volumes and whose lives become exemplars—not only among their peers and families today but also in their personal, educational, and professional communities long after high school. Sandy Spring Friends School students are taught to act upon what they learn. This call to action propels their accomplishments as graduates, in college, and beyond. 

Dorm Faculty - Dormitory Parent, Full time, 10 Months, Exempt (salaried), Campus Housing Included

Summary: Sandy Spring Friends School is seeking an energetic, caring professional to join our Dorm Faculty. This position works collaboratively with other faculty members to oversee and improve the lives of sixty boarders in a co-ed residential program. Though sufficient “off-time” will be provided, flexibility to work several shifts per week including weekday afternoons, evenings, and weekends is necessary. Candidates should also expect to be available during non-school days when the dormitory is occupied, as well as to participate in some all-school activities. Dorm Faculty may seek other opportunities on campus outside of the residential program.

Dorm faculty members play a central role in building a residential community for our students. They are expected to establish and ensure the implementation of norms, ground rules, and duty schedules based on collaboration, mutual understanding, and communication. Maintaining an open-door approach that fosters a serene and welcoming environment for resident students is essential to the success of this position.

Dorm Faculty members oversee and interact dynamically with students in the dorm; suggest, create, and participate in dorm activities; communicate with families and school personnel as needed; manage discipline and safety issues; and administer medications and first aid, among other duties. A genuine desire to have fun, even when not officially on duty, and to actively pursue ways to influence students positively is a fundamental requirement.

Housing is provided and a willingness to live in a dorm apartment is expected.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Community Building

  • Build relationships with each member of the dorm through a variety of formal and informal means. Some of these include but are not limited to dorm meetings, dorm trips, dorm programming, visits to student rooms, required community meals as well as helping students with organization or homework.

• Residential Programming

  • Collaborate with the Residential Dean, the Assistant Residential Dean, and the SSFS Counselors to create programming that supports the development of the residential student in all areas. 

• Discipline

  • With the support of the Residential Dean, Assistant Residential Dean, Deans of Students, and the School Counselor manage all minor school disciplinary situations in the dorm.

• Daily Dorm Parent Responsibilities

  • Before School: Opening of the dorm before school and oversight of all activities preceding the school day.

  • After School: Opening dorm after the end of the academic day and support of after-school programming.

  • Study Hours: Supervision and active academic support of students in conjunction with other residential staff.

  • Weekend Duties: Responsible for oversight of weekend operations of the dormitory. Included, but not limited to, opening and closing the dorm, meal supervision, and supporting all weekend programming. 

  • Closing Dorm: Nightly closing of the dorm and oversight of all activities preceding lights out while ensuring all residents are accounted for. 

• Other Responsibilities

  • Participate in Orientation activities as assigned by the Residential Dean

  • Fill out duty reports in REACH (student management system) at the end of each duty night

  • Track attendance in REACH

  • Account for students and provide oversight during fire alarms on assigned duty night

  • Attend and run dorm programming as assigned by the Assistant Residential Dean 

  • Attend opening and closing faculty meetings during the academic year

  • Provide support for proctors while they are on duty

  • Obtain Medication Technician Certification (CMT) 

    • Must be attained over the summer (prior to student arrival)

  • And other duties as assigned by The Residential Dean 

Knowledge and Skill Set Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education or a field related to social work, counseling, and residential life preferred, and current CPR and/or CMT certification a plus. The ideal candidate will have three or more years of experience overseeing teenagers in a boarding-school environment (as a student or employee), be an effective listener, and possess excellent written and interpersonal communications skills. The ability to speak a language other than English, especially Mandarin, is a plus, given our international boarding population. Possessing a valid driver’s license and confirmed insurability through our carrier to drive school vehicles is also required, as is a willingness to obtain a CDL (commercial driver’s license).

Knowledge of Quaker history and education is desirable, but not required. For all positions, SSFS seeks teachers who value the importance of issues of diversity and can both share and teach differing points of view.

Physical Requirements: The ability to navigate stairs as part of daily routines; mobility around a large campus with uneven pavement and multiple buildings; bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; rearrange furniture as needed, lift/carry boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a dormitory setting. 

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, completed application, and three professional references by selecting the link.