POSITION OVERVIEW

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and thoughtful communicator who can successfully champion student voices and support student growth with a demonstrated ability to make community-informed decisions. This person will have a passion for working with adolescents and their parents and will be able to show compassion toward students as they work through the development and challenges of adolescence. Attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, and commitment to living and working in a boarding school community are desirable.

The Assistant Head of School for Student Life provides leadership in and management of areas of Student Life outside of the academic and artistic realms, promoting an environment of community life that reflects the mission and values of the school, including Idyllwild Arts' ongoing commitment to being an anti-racist and inclusive institution, through policy and practice. Working closely with the Head of School and Assistant Head of School, the Assistant Head of School for Student Life’s Office is responsible for furthering our vision for building and maintaining a community that is safe, healthy, inclusive, and empowering for all students. The Assistant Head of School for Student Life will work in partnership with residential faculty to establish high standards for the quality, tone, and wellness of student life through 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Residential Life:

Oversee the development of policies and practices for student life including expectations for student behavior at both the Academy and the Summer Program. This includes the annual review and revision of the Student Handbook.

• Work closely with the Assistant Head for Arts and Academics regarding selection and assignment of dorm heads and dorm parents.
• Support and facilitate dorm head meetings, dorm parent meetings, supervise dorm heads, assist in supervision of dorms, provide feedback and opportunities for growth for dorm faculty.
• Oversee the development of residential curriculum, assignment of student housing, and selection and training of student leaders. 
• Supervise and communicate with Dorm Parents and Dorm Heads regarding duties and activities on a regular basis.

Community Life:

• Support and supervise the Director of Student Life and Director of Residence Life in the development of weekend and evening programming; Support and assist in scheduling weekend duties.
• Responsible for the planning and creation of school wide programs and activities such as Orientation, Trips, Student Leadership programs, and other events.
• Coordinate student clubs and organizations, provide support for club supervisors, help with events and activities related to affinity groups and clubs.
• Counsel and advise students as necessary and ensure proper referral to school counselors when needed.
• Evaluate and assess all student extra-curricular activities, assuring all comply with school policy and meet standards of safe and responsible conduct.

Discipline:

• Oversee consistent and integrated implementation and communication of discipline, including response to dorm-level infractions, standard responses to minor school wide infractions, discussion and documentation of warnings for minor infractions of major rules, and correspondence with parents
• Establish procedures for implementation of disciplinary action and act as primary school liaison with parents in matters of student discipline.

General Administration:

• Create and implement both short and long-term plans for various aspects of Student Services.
• Develop and monitor the annual budget for Student Services.
• Champion student and community compliance with school policies and procedures as stated in the Student/Parent Handbook, Faculty Handbook, Employee Handbook, and state laws.
• Work with the Vice Presidents, the Assistant Head of School, and the Head of School to establish master calendar and scheduling of student activities and events; coordinate parent communications as appropriate.
• Update the Student/Parent Handbook annually as well as other Student Services related documents.
• Coordinate the timely communication of necessary information to parents in Summer.
• Supervise the management and operation of the Academy attendance system, and the conduct tracking system, ensuring proper monitoring, reporting, and appropriate disciplinary responses for any abuse of the system.
• Serve on various school committees requiring input and advice regarding students and student activities.
• Implement, in cooperation with the Head of School and Vice Presidents, the school Disaster Plan, and assure compliance with state laws on drills and other compliance activities; act as Disaster Commander when so designated.
• Communicate with faculty, staff, and leadership on matters pertaining to Student Services.
• Represent Idyllwild Arts Academy at various conferences and meetings; conduct meetings relevant to Student Services as necessary; attend meetings.
• Establish good working relationships with other administrators of Idyllwild Arts Academy; collaborate as a team player with the entire school community; assume other duties assigned by the President.
• Direct supervision of all student services staff (Director of Student Life, Student Service Coordinators, Administrative Assistant, Dorm Heads, Dorm Parents), Wellness Center, Health  Center, and transportation.

REQUIREMENTS

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Purpose and operations of an independent school;
• Policies and procedures governing student life and disciplinary procedures;
• Supervision and guidance principles for dormitory parents and faculty as related to non-academic interaction with students;
• Counseling techniques for behavior modification in teenagers;
• Rules and regulations governing student discipline and privacy.

General Knowledge of:

• Methods of providing extra-curricular activities for arts high school students;
• Principles and practices of supervision for dormitory living;
• Budgeting methodology for student services including food, health, and recreational services.

Ability to:

• Supervise and direct dorm parents, direct reports and faculty in non-classroom supervision of students;
• Develop and maintain a working relationship with all facets of Idyllwild Arts community as well as parents and the local community;
• Represent Idyllwild Arts at public presentations as necessary;
• Serve as consultant for faculty and staff regarding student non-academic issues;
• Act as the chief spokesperson for student affairs and programs.

SPECIFIC SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Education, Psychology, Administration, Child Development, or related field.
• Independent school experience at the high school level
• Experience in a student service field–counseling, dorm parenting, Assistant Dean of Students, Assistant Head of School for Student Life

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability and desire to work within the Idyllwild community.
• Obtain and maintain a valid California Driver License, pass a criminal history background check as required by California Education Code Section 44237, and pass a TB test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENTS

While performing the duties of this position an incumbent may be required to:

• Regularly remain sedentary for long periods of time in meetings and while processing information and paper work both manually and on a computer.
• Reach with the hands and arms and use of hands to finger, type, and manipulate a computer keyboard and mouse.
• Additionally, the incumbent must be able to converse in clear English both written and orally, over a telephone and in person.
• Be able to make public presentations.
• Occasionally, incumbent may be required to lift up to 25 pounds, traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs while moving about campus, bend and stoop, conduct tours and show visitors campus facilities.
• Provide their transportation for local and remote events.
• Work hours vary and may include days, nights, and weekends.

Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

To apply

Please use the following link to submit your application, resume, and cover letter.

About Idyllwild Arts Academy

Idyllwild Arts Foundation (IAF) was founded in 1946. The arts institution started as a Summer Program for learners of all ages. In 1986, Idyllwild Arts Academy was founded as an independent, residential arts high school, located in Idyllwild, California. The school serves approximately 300 students from roughly 35 countries and provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.

Connections working at Idyllwild Arts Academy