Career Center

The Dean of Residential Life is responsible for setting and maintaining high standards in the contribution to and implementation of a comprehensive student life program, comprised of a thorough system of support, accountability, and education that ensures the well-being of students during their time at EF Academy Pasadena.  The Dean of Residential Life reports to the Deputy Head of the School for Student Services and Residential Life.

The Dean of Residential Life leads a team of Dorm Heads and House Parents in overseeing the social, emotional, physical, and educational well-being of the students residing in their residence. They create a safe and happy community within their residence by being a welcoming and consistent senior advisory presence in the everyday life of their students. We safeguard trust with a real family feel that makes our school a home away from home.

EF Academy Ethos: We take our responsibility of ‘in loco parentis’ very seriously. When students are in our care, they are the most important thing in the world. Every interaction with them should come from the heart. We offer our students a second home. They join an extended family that cares for them, nurtures them and encourages them to become their best selves.

Professional Qualifications and Qualities:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 4+ years residential experience, preferably in a boarding school at the secondary level, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Prior global or international education and experience with diversity, inclusion, and social and restorative justice initiatives.
• Commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of adolescents and willingness to embrace the opportunities of the boarding school environment.
• Superior organizational, communication, and decision-making skills including attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, and in a timely manner.
• Ability to administer policies fairly and consistently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, administrators, and parents.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights and weekends.

 Key Responsibilities:

Management Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a Residential Life Team to create a caring and student-centered approach to our residential community. Incorporate student voice and leadership into community meetings and decision-making processes.
• Lead the team in educating students regarding self-management and behavior expectations and apply the school’s discipline policy in a consistent and fair way, focusing on the value of restorative justice practices.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the department, ensuring student satisfaction and service at optimum levels. Motivate peers to exceed the students’ expectations and provide a better student experience.
• Contribute to supervisory rotations as the administrator on duty, which includes 24 hour on-call and collaborative crisis management in emergencies.
• Ensure organisation of relevant performance review meetings, and training and development courses for all members of the Residential Life Team including the Dorm Heads, House Parents, Residential Faculty and Weekend/Part-time Residential Advisors.
• Oversee the work of the Residential Life Team and meet with them regularly to discuss boarding matters and ensure consistency and support between Houses. Maintain and issue meeting minutes.
• Attend Student Support meetings to represent the needs of the boarding program with representatives from other areas and departments.
• Lead and oversee induction and orientation training for new Residential Life staff and students as appropriate;
• Lead and oversee the continued development of the Residential life Team (including regular supervision meetings) through implementation and review of continued professional growth in line with the School’s Mission;
• Oversee the appointment and training of Boarding Student Leaders each year.
• Oversee the Student Activities Coordinator: Support and attend as appropriate the development of the weekend and evening activity program to ensure that all students have access to and participate in a lively and varied program of leisure activities.
• Collaborate with relevant faculty and staff on the organization and implementation of Residential Life programming.

Student Safety and Well-being Responsibilities

• Oversee student safety, success and happiness outside the academic day and at weekends. Ensure protocols are followed accurately regarding attendance, evening study halls and all required check-ins.
• Act as the Child Protection and Safeguarding Lead for Boarding; Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations including Mandated Reporter responsibilities, the legal rights of children and young people and best practices for boarding schools;
• Keep the Deputy Head of School and other relevant colleagues and boarding staff informed of issues relating to any student and manage these in conjunction with the Child Protection Team;
• Proactively be alert to indicators of potential child protection or well-being issues and report these immediately in accordance with the school’s procedure;
• Implement the School’s Child Protection Policy and follow its requirements; Attend training relating to Safeguarding of Children; Engage in safe practice and professional conduct to safeguard children to mitigate against the potential for misunderstandings or situations being misconstrued;
• Create safe and secure learning environments The School is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees.
• Ensure a visible presence in the boarding community and residences in order to develop rapport with all boarding students;
• Promote self-management skills, compassion and open mindedness and encourage good decision-making on the part of students whilst dealing with infringements in a firm but caring manner;
• Ensure that all students have sufficient rest and that bed-time routines appropriate to each age group are maintained;
• Liaise with the School’s Health Center Team on a regular basis to maintain contact and update on relevant issues and/or concerns.
• Use the student information system to keep up-to-date about students’ academic accomplishments and challenges, as well as changes in mental and physical well-being. Write regular logs in the system to update parents and other departments as to the well-being and progress of students as community members.
• Work closely with other faculty and staff as part of each student’s support network.
• Coordinate and lead the planning of Hall Meetings with students at the allocated times to develop positive and supportive connections with students to create a campus ‘family network’.
• Participate in and attend school events to support students and develop our sense of community. Build hall spirit through events, activities, celebration of different cultures.

Enrolment & Retention Responsibilities

• Maintain a proactive approach in the retention of students by ensuring they feel supported through collaboration with parents, families and EF Academy faculty and staff.
• Support the Admissions team by promoting the boarding program to prospective families, as well as participating in campus tours and prospective parent meetings and student introductions;
• Attend and represent the Residential Life Team at promotional events such as Open Houses;
• Respond promptly to information requests and advice in respect of prospective boarding students;
• Implement and oversee regular content rich communication to parents from each boarding house which promotes the life of our boarding community and focuses on the individual student;
• Engage the parent community through monthly newsletters;
• Attend functions for parents and students which celebrate successes and achievements throughout the year.
• Meet with newly admitted students to welcome, evaluate and support their transition to our school.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support in the scheduling of Residential Life personnel, ensuring that optimum coverage levels are met to ensure student safety.
• Contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures regarding students, services for students, accommodation, and communication.
• Supervise the boarding budget and ensure control of expenditure;
• Respond promptly to parent emails and telephone requests and update the Deputy Head of School regarding any concerns;
• Oversee off-campus permission requests and approvals in accordance with Student Handbook policy;
• Attend regular E-SLT, Child Protection and Student Support meetings and contribute to the agenda in advance of such meetings and implement boarding action points as appropriate;
• Act as a liaison between the IT, Security and Facilities Teams and Residential Life, ensuring timely follow-up and closure of maintenance requests, facility and systems reservations, and dining and housekeeping issues and requests.
• Seasonally allocate students by room and oversee the coordination of student airport transfers, including third part support with transfers. Facilitate student room change requests, maintenance issues, incoming student preparation and other duties related to student accommodation.

As a leader, the Dean of Residential Life is committed to making a significant individual contribution to the overall climate of the school. They will:

• Provide an exceptional working environment through which the Residential Life Team will thrive based on supportive relationships and a culture of appreciation;
• Ensure that members of the Residential Life Team act in a professional manner towards all members of the community and build quality relationships with all stakeholders;
• Actively engage in professional development activities in collaboration with other members of the staff and on an individual basis. Professional development opportunities include attendance at workshops, conferences, boarding house observations, peer dialogue, courses, and boarding school visits;
• Other duties may be assigned as required.

Job status:

The role is a 10-month, exempt position. This is a residential role, which means accommodation is provided on campus for 12 months of the year.  Hours will likely be Tuesday through Saturday and will include mornings, evenings and weekends. Due to the nature of the role, flexibility is crucial as working hours will vary.

EF Academy Pasadena is an animal-free campus for the safety of our students.