Our School
Hakuba International School is a new international boarding school (opened in 2022), located in the beautiful Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps. Our school is dedicated to answering the driving question: What kind of education enables people and the planet to flourish? Our focus is on personal and environmental well-being, combined with deeper learning methods to develop leaders who can solve the world’s most complex problems. 

We are an intentionally small school, serving approximately 70 students in grades 7-12 during the 2026-27 school year, gradually growing toward our eventual full size of 150 students. We call our faculty members guides, in the spirit of serving by a student’s side to create highly engaging learning adventures. For more about our school’s background and methods, please visit www.hakuba-is.jp. 

Residential Roles
We see our residential team as playing one of the most essential roles in our school: creating a sense of home. In particular, a home with the right conditions — such as safety, social-emotional wellness, challenge, and meaningful student leadership and voice — for students to flourish. We hold the privilege of creating a home for young people during a transformative time in their lives, when they have the chance to learn the fundamental skills of independence and interdependence. 

Nurse and Surrogate Dorm Parent

• Fundamentals: This is a full-time role. Experience in an international boarding school is a plus. English fluency is required. Japanese language would be beneficial, but is not required. Candidates must have a nursing license, and a Japanese nursing license is a plus.
  
  
• Key Responsibilities: The Nurse and Surrogate Dorm Parent, with support from other residential staff members, will oversee student medications and student wellness initiatives. Their duty schedule consists of 3 weekdays a week and one day every other weekend. They will also be on duty one weekday evening from 4 PM to 10:30 PM to run an afternoon activity, eat dinner, and oversee the dorm and lights out. When on duty, they will be available for students and help coordinate meetings and Zoom calls with the HIS counselors. They will also help create and offer Social/Emotional/Health classes one morning a week in coordination with the safeguarding lead. When on duty, as needed, they will take students to the local health clinic and to health appointments. The position will cover the morning and evening 30-minute sick hall and medicine dispensation when on duty. They will collaborate closely with our existing dorm parents, safeguarding lead,  faculty, and advisors to have a holistic view of how to support students across all domains.
  
  
• Specific responsibilities include:
• Oversee the medical supplies, first aid kits, and student medications. Check to make sure all families are compliant with health forms and medical information, and when needed and on duty, take students to the local clinic. They will also help ensure the smooth running of the dormitory, in accordance with the residential handbook, creating a friendly, welcoming, and happy environment.
• Set and maintain general Dorm Rules, while maintaining an open ear for student feedback and proposals to improve these rules over time;
• Monitor and support student well-being in their residential life, including serving as the initial responder for psychological needs (which can later be referred to advisors, counsellors, or outside support as needed) and medical needs (referring to clinic or hospital as needed);
• Encourage students to wake up on time, sleep at a reasonable hour, and maintain healthy habits in eating, exercise, cleanliness, etc.
• Supervise and be present for students during breakfast and dinner times while on duty, as well as other key times such as evening homework and Independent Learning Time.
• Maintain accurate student records about residential life, medical information, and more;
• Collaborate with faculty and advisors for broader school decisions and integration across residential and academic domains;
• Ensure the facility remains in proper running order, working with outside tradespeople and internal staff as needed; this may include taking the garbage to the dump.
• When on duty, help set up breakfast, and on weekends, help students on occasion to cook breakfast.
• Create special activities, such as parties, clubs, or residential projects, and participate in outdoor expeditions.
• Supervise student cleaning crews to clean their rooms and other parts of the dorm.
  
  

• Other Responsibilities: As a young school still in the startup phase, there are many other small roles circulating among the team, such as supporting an after-school club or activity, taking on a small administrative task, etc, and everyone is asked to contribute in areas of expertise or interest, depending on needs and a sustainable working schedule for all. All staff should also enjoy participating in outdoor activities and expect to participate occasionally in overnight outdoor expeditions.
  
  

• Personal Qualities: We’re looking for someone excited about building a new school, ready for the startup experience, and passionate about a more holistic, humane approach to education. We believe learning is naturally fun and playful, and we try to live that way too. We’re building a team of people who are kind-hearted, open-minded, resilient, and creative. Those who see themselves as serving students best by being authentic, vulnerable, and keen listeners are especially appreciated! We trust students and believe in creating a dorm and school environment alongside them. 

Structure

• Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
  
  
• Benefits: Our benefits include a 100,000 yen monthly housing stipend, a relocation stipend, a laptop, and many professional development opportunities (e.g., the Compassionate Systems Framework, social-emotional learning, and others). All employees are also enrolled in the Japanese healthcare system, national pension system, and unemployment and workers’ compensation insurance.
  
  
• Visas: We sponsor visas for candidates applying from outside of Japan, and our faculty come from many countries around the world. Learn more about our team here!
  
  
• Timing: The start date for this role is mid-August 2026. We offer a two-year contract for new positions. Interviews for this opening will take place on a rolling basis, and we will make a hire as soon as the right candidate is identified. Our school year follows a September-through-June calendar (see 2025-26 academic calendar here). Hires are expected to be in the dorm on the days students leave and return to campus from breaks, and are involved in professional development days. Otherwise, they enjoy the same breaks as students. 

About Hakuba International School

Hakuba International School is a new international boarding school (opened in 2022), located in the beautiful Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps. Our school is dedicated to answering the driving question: What kind of education enables people and the planet to flourish? Our focus is on personal and environmental well-being, combined with deeper learning methods to develop leaders who can solve the world’s most complex problems. We are an intentionally small school, serving approximately 70 students in grades 7-12 during the 2026-27 school year, gradually growing toward our eventual full size of 150 students. We call our faculty members guides, in the spirit of serving by a student’s side to create highly engaging learning adventures. For more about our school’s background and methods, please visit www.hakuba-is.jp.

Connections working at Hakuba International School