For the 2025-26 school year, the Science Department is seeking a highly qualified and dynamic teacher who combines expertise in their particular field of science; enthusiasm for interdisciplinary curriculum development; and ability to guide, inspire, and facilitate their colleagues’ professional growth. The head of the department will lead and manage the department with this central charge in mind, attending to teaching and curricular matters, taking an active role in recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and fostering the development of their department’s faculty, staff, and program of study. Department heads are leaders with respect to diversity and inclusion efforts.

I. Intellectual Leadership and Professional Development
Foster a culture of collaboration and creativity by:

• encouraging teachers to be critically reflective, learner-centered, and current in their discipline and pedagogy;
• aligning the department’s instructors, offerings, and methodologies with the School’s curricular and pedagogical priorities;
• organizing periodic departmental professional days to highlight specific areas for study.

Encourage instructors’ professional and personal growth by:

• regularly providing insightful, motivating, and constructive feedback;
• supervising departmental evaluation procedures that emphasize professional growth and objectively assess performance;
• supporting each faculty member’s professional portfolio;
• affirming instructors’ achievements publicly and privately;
• modeling the importance of self-evaluation and the giving and receiving of feedback;
• training and supporting new faculty members;
• collaborating with the dean of faculty, the dean of academic life, the director of diversity and inclusion, and other administrators; and
• overseeing individual department members’ compliance with School policies.

II. Curricular Leadership
Help design effective programs of study and support teaching methodologies by working with the dean of academic life and the director of teaching and learning to:

• sustain continuous discussion about teaching and learning in an intentionally diverse community;
• encourage thoughtful implementation of technology as a classroom tool;
• coordinate periodic self-studies and external reviews of the department;
• support collaboration across academic disciplines and departments; and
• collaborate in the hiring process with the recruitment team.

III. Department Management
Permit instructors to focus on teaching and learning by:

• overseeing budget and employing sound fiscal practices;
• managing speaker funds, endowed lectureships, and associated stewardship duties;
• reviewing course placement of students;
• determining course offerings and offering a rationale for them;
• assigning teaching responsibilities with a focus on the needs of the School, the department, the students, and the instructors;
• representing the department to all interested constituencies in and outside of the Hotchkiss community; and
• acting as a clearinghouse for parent and student queries about departmental concerns.

IV. Classroom Instruction
The ideal candidate will be:

• a student-centered educator, skilled in discussion facilitation;
• a professional oral and written communicator;
• eager to work collaboratively with colleagues;
• committed to improving their practice through peer observation;
• dedicated to making positive contributions to the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.

Duration of tenure and evaluation:
The head of department (HOD) has a 10-month schedule. When possible, each HOD will have a two-course reduction in teaching. When such course relief is not feasible, workloads will be reduced in roughly equitable ways. Each department head (HOD) is expected to serve a five-year term, subject to being successful in the role. Each HOD will be given regular feedback and formally evaluated annually by the dean of faculty.

Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in a science-related field is required; a master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. Supervisory experience is preferred and/or willingness to engage in professional development in this area. Several years of teaching experience, at the secondary level are also preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Hotchkiss faculty participate actively in all aspects of community life through service in Hotchkiss’ residential, advising, and co-curricular programs. Typical responsibilities of a full-time faculty member at Hotchkiss include teaching four classes, coaching two seasons (or the equivalent) of a co-curricular team, regular duty in our residential program, and periodic participation in faculty committees and/or as an advisor to student clubs. Full-time faculty members are generally expected to obtain a public service endorsement on their CT driver’s license within the first year of employment so that they may drive students in school vehicles. Applicants with varsity-level experience in girls' basketball or volleyball are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and education level. Full-time faculty are housed by the school. In addition, Hotchkiss provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a variety of health insurance offerings, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability offerings, HSA/FSA options, and retirement benefits through TIAA. Ample funding exists to support participation in professional conferences, workshops, summer study, and travel. Faculty are encouraged to enjoy meals in our dining hall while school is in session.

Application Information:

Through the online application which can be found at hotchkiss.org/careers, interested candidates should submit a cover letter that addresses interest in working at Hotchkiss, focusing on the ability and desire to participate fully in an intentionally diverse and inclusive residential community. Applicants should also submit their résumé/CV, a statement of leadership philosophy, relevant college and graduate school transcripts, and contact information for three references. The School is committed to building and supporting a diverse community where all feel safe, seen, and supported. Successful applicants will address their ability to contribute to a warm, inclusive, and exciting learning environment. APPLY NOW!

Additional Information:

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this description. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Department: Science

FLSA: Exempt

Reports to: Dean of Faculty

Schedule: Academic Year, 10-months

Travel: Occasional 

About The Hotchkiss School

Located in the scenic Berkshire-Taconic landscape in the quiet northwest corner of Connecticut, The Hotchkiss School is a community in which faculty and staff members build careers and grow as professionals. We seek to identify, recruit, and develop faculty and staff members who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, talents, and backgrounds. Collectively, we are dedicated to supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of nearly 600 students who come from around the country and the world. In the 2024-2025 school year, our student body includes 37% of students receiving financial aid, 14% international students, and 42% domestic students of color. Geographically diverse, our students represent 38 states, 34 countries, and span 6 continents. The School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm learning community for students from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.

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