Career Center

Buffalo Seminary is an independent day and boarding school for college-bound girls. Founded in 1851, and among the oldest girls’ schools in the United States, SEM has designed a culture of scholarship, leadership, creativity, and service for over 170 years. At Buffalo Seminary, we celebrate our diverse identities and perspectives. We embrace diversity as necessary for our collective growth and achievement. To fulfill this purpose, we welcome and seek students, families, and employees who contribute to the richness of our diverse community. At SEM we work every day to ensure that all who come within our walls have what they need to realize their potential and to participate fully in school life. The ideal candidate should demonstrate enthusiasm for all-girl education and will embrace diversity and support our inclusive community.

Buffalo Seminary seeks a qualified candidate to serve as the Director of Residential Life. This person is responsible for implementing the school's residential strategic plan as we continue to grow our residential program. SEM's program draws students from 8-12 different countries while maintaining a commitment to serving students from Western New York. The Director of Residential Life is a 12-month position that reports directly to the Assistant Head of School for Community Life. This person is expected to live on campus in a private apartment in one of the residential homes.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Provide strategic direction, implementation, evaluation, and communication regarding all aspects of the residential life program using research and best practices that align with the school's mission and vision,
• Design, articulate, and implement a residential curriculum in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School and residential staff,
• Contribute to an environment that supports students' academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being,
• Uphold the code of conduct and SEM's honor code and maintain and update the residential students' handbook,
• Maintain an active presence in the residential life program, serve as the primary supervisor to one of the residential homes during the academic year, and participate in evening and weekend duty shifts,
• On-board, train, and supervise residential staff; maintain duty schedule, hold staff meetings, promote positive working relationships, and ensure residential and community standards are upheld,
• Coordinate student care in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School, the Dean of Students, Director of DEI, residential staff, school nurse, and school counselor,
• Develop and provide pre-campus communication with incoming students,
• Proactively maintain communication with parents/guardians and serve as the primary advocate for students regarding residential life,
• Participate in the planning of orientation, prefect training, and Welcome Days,
• Manage and oversee the residential life program logistics, including, but not limited to travel logistics, issuing key fobs, coordinating host families during holiday breaks, room and roommate assignments,
• Plan, develop, and maintain a calendar for residential activities, including evening and weekend activities that contribute to a positive student experience,
• Collaborate with the admission team and other administrators to support the recruiting efforts of residential students,
• Stay at the forefront of independent boarding schools by reviewing best practices, following current research, attending conferences, webinars, and networking events,
• Monitor fire safety compliance and facilitate the planning and conducting of fire drills in coordination with the appropriate staff,
• Manage the dorm facility in collaboration with the Facilities Department and advocate for residential facility needs, other duties as required or as assigned by the Assistant Head

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree is required
• Private/Independent School experience preferred
• 3-5 years of Residential Life experience preferred
• Candidates must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license and willingness to obtain a CDL license
• Mandarin or Spanish language proficiency preferred

Personal Skills

• A focus on positive culture and growth and development for all students
• Excellent relationship builder with strong communication skills
• A natural curiosity, with an inclination to listen, learn and improve

Compensation

• Competitive salary based on experience and credentials
• On-campus housing, wifi, and utilities included
• All meals while school is in session
• Access to school facilities

Buffalo Seminary is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter with resume to Ann More, Assistant to the Head of School, at 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo NY 14222, or via email at Humanresources@buffaloseminary.org. Please include position for which you are applying in the subject line.

In order to be eligible to work at Buffalo Seminary, all employees are required to receive a completed course of one of the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) or receive an exemption for a diagnosed medical or deeply held religious belief (which must go through an approval process). Employees not in compliance with this policy will not be eligible to work at Buffalo Seminary.