Career Center

Mercersburg Academy is a private, college-prep boarding school located in south-central Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes from the Baltimore/Washington DC metro area. The school’s mission and core values guide our vision and direction. At Mercersburg, we value diversity and believe in cultivating a safe community where everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves.

Job Classification: 

Faculty, Full-Time, Academic Year, Exempt

Reports To:

Dean of Students

Summary

The Assistant Dean of Students’ primary responsibility is to oversee and coordinate the school’s extracurricular activities, clubs, and student events.  This includes organizing and working closely with grade deans, student government officers, the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and other student leaders to develop and plan student activities. Other responsibilities of the Assistant Dean of Students will be as an advocate for day students and their families while also assisting with student behavior as needed.  As a member of the Office of Student Life, the Assistant Dean of Students will work with all to create a positive and inclusive environment and to create a deep sense of belonging for all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Activities: Create, organize, implement, and oversee various extracurricular activities and events for students. Responsible for budgeting and managing finances as well as overseeing the use of facilities and equipment and any risk management for events. Specific duties include:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive co-curricular program that supports the school’s mission and goals. Create an annual calendar of events.
• Coordinate all extracurricular activities, including clubs and cultural events, and ensure proper supervision for all events.
• Recruit, train, and supervise club faculty leaders and work with student leaders of clubs.
• Collaborate with other school departments to provide support for student activities.  
• Ensure that all activities are in compliance with school policies and regulations.
• Provide guidance and support for students as they plan and execute events and activities.
• Coordinate transportation for off-campus activities.
• Provide regular reports on student activity participation and program outcomes to the DOS.

Student Life:

• Monitor and respond to student behaviors (prior to a student reaching the threshold of appearing before the Conduct Review Committee) to help students adhere to school policies and expectations.  This feedback is designed to help students develop the skills and habits to prevent them from going to the CRC.
• Coordinate day student information, communication, and protocols.  This special lens is designed to help welcome and integrate day students into the residential life of the school as much as possible and appropriate.  
• Participate in committee work. Examples of possible committees that the Assistant Dean of Students may serve on are the Day Student Experience Committee, Dress Code Committee, Student Support, Academic Conduct, and Risk Management.

Residential: This position will participate in all aspects of the school including participation in our student life program which may include advisory to a group of students, dormitory duty, involvement in our Peer Group and Mentor Leader program, and student support.

Co-Curricular: All faculty members will participate in a co-curricular within our experiential program which may include coaching, community engagement, outdoor education, or arts assignments. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work effectively with students and other staff members
• Organizational skills with the ability to handle details of several events at one time
• Effective communicator who is able to build relationships with student leaders and faculty
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and to build consensus on complex behavioral and systems issues.
• Experience working in a team-based environment.
• Set culture and tone for students and faculty. Ability to work with a diverse population and maintain an office environment that is inclusive and shows respect for others.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of an ever-changing boarding school environment.

Physical Demands:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed mostly in an indoor/office environment where the noise level is quiet.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; may occasionally lift up 20 lbs.; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate office machinery, specifically a computer and keyboard.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction to be able to see close, distance, and to focus.

Auditory: Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Must be able to talk and hear by telephone and in person.