Website THE HAMLIN SCHOOL
Reports to: Head of School
Primary Responsibilities:
The Director of Community Well-Being (DCWB) is the senior administrator responsible for working in close partnership with the Head of School and leadership team to center well-being, mental health, and belonging at the heart of Hamlin’s culture. The DCWB is an empathic guide and fierce protector of the school’s well-being; they are also a subject-matter expert and knowledgeable resource for employees, the Student Support Services team, parents, and students. The DCWB “owns” the Wellness as the Core of Excellence pillar of the new strategic plan and works diligently to build, sustain, and evaluate the school’s systems and programs that support well-being, mental health, and belonging. The DCWB maintains a dual focus on the health and thriving of individuals and the institution.
Primary Sensibilities:
The DCWB exudes warmth, models kindness, inclusivity, and cultural humility and ensures that Hamlin’s Community Statement is broadly owned and truly lived. A respected member of the school community and leadership team, the DCWB is a responsive and responsible administrator and thought partner with the Head of School. The DCWB is known and respected for being an empathic and supportive colleague, an inspiring strategic thinker, an organized project manager, data geek, and masterful presenter. The DCWB is an effective, experienced, and enthusiastic leader who plays a central role in shaping the school’s culture and shielding its well-being.
Hours/Classification: Full-Time (1.0 FTE); 12 months; Exempt
At The Hamlin School, we are committed to a policy of equal employment for all applicants and employees. As part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace, we recruit and hire applicants with diverse backgrounds and professional experience that show their commitment to K-8 education and being a contributing member of a learning community.
Expectation of Employee Civility and Commitment
The Hamlin School seeks to hire employees who will support and implement the school’s mission and Creed* at all times. Hamlin employees are known for being compassionate, collaborative, and dedicated professionals who treat their colleagues and supervisors with respect and who take seriously the daily care of Hamlin students.
Hamlin students are celebrated because of their curious minds, joyful work ethic, and intellectual tenacity in the classroom; that said, the school is convinced that ensuring the students’ academic growth is only one part of its work. All Hamlin employees, whatever their role or title may be, must pay close attention to the students’ social-emotional well-being, their physical and mental health, and their moral development.
Hamlin employees are committed to their own professional growth; as such, they pay close attention to the research and innovations that impact teaching and learning. All employees are expected to be flexible thinkers and nimble actors in support of the school’s overarching strategic goals and daily commitment to academic and ethical excellence.
*The Hamlin Creed: Compassion; Courage, Honesty; Respect; Responsibility
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Required Professional Experience and Credentials
- Significant training and at least 5 years’ experience working in student support services (i.e. counseling, mental health, learning specialist)
- Significant training and at least 5 years’ experience leading anti-bias/social justice work, preferably in an educational setting
- Demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in leading change and working on a diverse team of professionals
- Experience in crisis intervention and effectively partnering with key stakeholders to manage response to loss or trauma impacting a family or the community as a whole
- Certification in nationally recognized diversity and inclusion trainings, protocols, or programs
- Strong and demonstrated skills in curriculum design and implementation of new programs and/or systems
- Deep experience in work settings where equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, and belonging are core values
- Proficiency in Google Suite (required)
- Bachelor’s degree (required)
- Masters or advanced degree in counseling, sociology, education, business, or related field (highly preferred)
- Multilingual (a plus!)
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Desired Personal and Professional Qualities - Strong belief in Hamlin’s mission and Creed
- Self-confidence; seamless ability to join a high-performing, hardworking administrative team
- Kindness and warmth– “people smarts”
- Strategic-minded– strong ability to think through opportunities and challenges with other thought leaders
- Passionate commitment to girls’ education and gender equity
- Authenticity and self-awareness
- Sense of humor– levity and curiosity about the world
- Excellent public speaking and written communication skills
- Impeccable organizational and project management skills
- Ability to respond effectively to the needs of diverse and demanding professional and parent communities
- Flexibility, sensitivity, diplomacy, and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple constituencies
- Ability to engage in and facilitate difficult conversations
Specific Areas of Responsibility:
I. Community Onboarding, Community Support, and Community Growth
- Establish oneself in the school as a community builder, being viewed by employees and parents as a trusted, empathetic listener whom they seek out to discuss issues of community and their sense of belonging
- Secure, supervise, and support affinity and alliance groups for employees, parents, and students
- Work in partnership with Director of Program and Professional Development to lead and support New Hires Orientation and first-year cohort gatherings
- Work in partnership with the Director of Program and Professional Development to lead the administering and analysis of the Authentic Connections employee surveys (twice per year)
- Work in partnership with Advancement Manager for Parent Engagement & Philanthropy to provide guidance and support to the Board of Trustees’ Community Advisory Council (CAC) and Parents Association (PA) leaders and organizations (i.e. PLAID, SPEAK, Lend-A-Hand)
- Work in partnership with Advancement Manager for Parent Engagement & Philanthropy to lead the process for the annual parent survey and provide expertise in analysis of the data
- Assess areas of opportunity and communicate them to Head of School and/or Parents Association President
- Attend and show enthusiasm for community-building events (i.e. employee socials, fundraisers, orientations)
II. Student Support Services and Well-Being Curriculum/Programs
- Lead bi-weekly SWATCH (Student Well-Being At The Core of Hamlin) meetings to ensure the smooth and timely flow of information within and between divisions and the coordination of necessary support
- Inspire and provide resources for the counselors and learning specialists as they support students’ mental health and neurodiversity
- Work in partnership with division heads and Equity and Success Specialist to lead the process for the Pupil Attitudes To Self and School (PASS) surveys (twice per year) and provide expertise in analysis of the data
- Support teachers and advisors in appropriate actions and advocacy based upon PASS survey insights
- Work in close partnership with division heads, Director of Program and Professional Development, and Head of School to analyze ERB data at both the individual and programmatic levels
- Work in close partnership with division heads, Director of Program and Professional Development, and Middle School seminar coordinator to support the K-8 social-emotional learning and health programs
- Guide the final design, approval, and implementation of the K-8 mental health curriculum
- Design and execute mindfulness and wellness programs for professional community and parent community
III. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging: People and Program
- Identify and coordinate unique learning opportunities for individuals, teams, and the professional community in the areas of cultural humility and social justice
- Work vigorously with key partners (Director of Program and Professional Development; Equity and Success Specialist; K-8 Instructional Coach) to help educators review curriculum content with a critical lens as well as adopt culturally responsive pedagogy
- Inspire and support teachers in integrating Learning for Justice standards and embracing the curriculum innovation as outlined in the strategic plan’s Teaching Towards the Future pillar
- Work in partnership with Chief Financial Officer and Head of School in thinking about ways to increase and support economic equity in the school
- Advise school leaders and educators on areas of school life that involve dilemmas or differences in core values
IV. General Responsibilities
- Serve as a vital and vibrant member of the school’s eight-member administrative team
- Lead SWATCH (Student Wellness at the Core of Hamlin) meetings with excellent focus and follow-through
- Serve as a member of the SCOPE (Standing Committee on Program Excellence)
- Serve as a member of the school’s crisis management team
- Attend board meetings and give presentations upon request from the Head of School
- Provide support and expertise in the admissions process (i.e. school visits, screening of students, parent panels)
- Communicate (orally or in writing) upon request (i.e. Curriculum Night, State of the School, Keeping Posted)
- Provide duty coverage/supervision at community events or school trips as needed
- Other duties as needed
Interested candidates should submit a thoughtful cover letter and resumé no later than Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Additional Materials about Hamlin and Mission Statement
