Director of Student Life - West Hartford, United States - American School for the Deaf

Description

Job Description

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

ANNOUNCES AN OPENING FOR

Director of Student Life

CLOSING DATE: UNTIL FILLED

REV: 1/2/2024

POST: 3/21/2024

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) is the oldest school for the deaf, founded in 1817 by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. The American School for the Deaf is committed to serving deaf and hard of hearing infants, youth and their families in development of intellect and the enhancement of quality of life utilizing specially designed instruction through an American Sign Language and English Bilingual Approach, empowering them to become educated and self-directed life-long learners. ASD is accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), as well as the Conference of Educational Administrators of School Programs for the Deaf (CEASD).

ASD is located in West Hartford, a town recognized as one of the top ten towns for raising families. West Hartford residents value education, evidenced by the high quality of public and private schools. There is also much to do in West Hartford. There is a wide array of parks and recreation. There are pools and hiking trails. There are historic sites to visit as well. If shopping is on the list then Blue Back Square, located in the center of town, offers many retail stores and a variety of restaurants to satisfy everyone.

SCOPE OF DUTIES

The Director of Student Life, reporting directly to the Executive Director, provides academic, social, emotional, and life skills growth for students, active learning environments, school-dorm collaboration and curriculum infusion, residence maintenance and programs, afterschool programs, community governance, and other services based on best practices/concepts in student development and K-12 education. The Director of Student Life will work collaboratively with ELT and the ASD community to plan, direct and administer all areas of the American School for the Deaf Core and PACES residential programs. The Director also administers program evaluation projects, provides vision and direction for training programs and professional development for professional and paraprofessional staff, evaluates Deans, program managers, and oversees the budget.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Directs/supervises the activities of the following departments:

Student Life; Core, PACES, and International

Transportation Services

Athletic Department

Camp Isola Bella

• Provides leadership and guidance to determine and identify long and short-range plans for the dormitory, aligning with the current accreditation goals and plans, and the American School for the Deaf's strategic plan.
• Through partnership with school leaders, provides leadership in creating and facilitating an effective living-learning environment for students by school-dorm/after school activity collaboration and curriculum infusion in residence halls.
• Establish a safe and nurturing residential environment to live and learn.
• Oversees and provides leadership to all Class and Organizations.
• Plans, prepares and oversees the budget. Authorizes expenditures and assures a balanced budget.
• Sets professional development goals for employees of the residential program to increase all-around knowledge of Student Life objectives and programs.
• Encourages staff growth by supporting their professional membership in related organizations; shares best practice developments with staff, particularly in the areas of student development and environmental management. Help personnel to increase competencies by supporting them in participating in continuing education programs, in-service training programs, seminars, workshops and coordinate internal training programs for staff.
• Oversees the formulation and ensures enforcement of dorm policies and regulations; oversees the documentation of all dorm incident reports and other disciplinary actions. Oversees the managing of accurate student disciplinary records and professional staff actions that are in accordance with rules governing the privacy and confidentiality of all records, and provides leadership in creating school-wide linkages with teachers, staff and students in addressing personal safety issues and well as discussing and resolving disruptive behavior.
• Assures periodic assessments of the dorm environment and student needs/satisfaction. Participates in research activities and program evaluations projects as requested.
• Oversees requests for repairs and conducts ongoing program reviews and risk management activities to ensure a healthy and safe environment for students and staff.
• Serves as essential personnel and responds to emergency situations according to set policies and procedures.
• Complies with licensing requirements for both the Core and PACES residential program, including Connecticut DCF and Connecticut DDS, as well as other state licensing requirements.
• Oversees the ASD International Student Program, including housing, medical, transportation, staffing, and activities.
• Coordinates campus housing placements for new staff, interns, student teachers, visitors, and emergency housing needs
• Other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION / SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's degree preferred in education or related field
• Strong background in residential life, mental health or psychology highly desirable.
• Must have a minimum of five years' experience in a program for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and youth, or in a closely related field.
• Demonstrated administrative and supervisory skills are required. Must be willing to travel.
• Sign Language proficiency is required.
• May live in campus housing. Be on-call for school/campus emergencies.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Compensation range is based on experience and available upon request

Outstanding benefits package including Retirement with school matching, group health insurance, and other fringe benefits.

$1000 sign on bonus after one year of service

ASD is ALL ways able. If you require an accommodation for applying to this position, please contact the Human Resources Department.

The American School for the Deaf does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, intellectual disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or civil union status) work place hazards to reproductive systems, and criminal record (in state employment and licensing).

All applicants will be screened, and the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to interview.