Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving approximately 600 students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.
SSFS offers an inquiry-based college preparatory program that emphasizes deep understanding throughout the curriculum while encouraging collaboration, instilling confidence, fostering practical experience, and cultivating respect for others. The School's teachers help students internalize a process we call "QRA” —Question, Reflection, Action—which ensures that they think critically, integrate new knowledge, and apply what they learn. We help students develop their individual sense of purpose as they become caring citizens of the world.
Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict. Our teachers are lifelong mentors and strive to identify and cultivate each student’s intellectual, extracurricular, and social passions. In doing so, we help shape students whose actions speak volumes and whose lives become exemplars—not only among their peers and families today but also in their personal, educational, and professional communities long after high school. Sandy Spring Friends School students are taught to act upon what they learn. This call to action propels their accomplishments as graduates, in college, and beyond.
Assistant Residential Dean, Full time, 11 Months, Exempt, Campus Housing Included
Summary: The Upper School Assistant Residential Dean is an integral part of the Upper School’s co-educational Boarding Program. The program consists of an established on-campus dormitory facility and currently serves domestic and international boarders from 9 countries. Guided by Quaker practices and testimonies, the Assistant Residential Dean co-leads a team of professionals dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaged community that integrates boarding into the whole life of the School. With oversight and responsibility for the daily operations of The Boarding Program, the Assistant Residential Dean will co-lead a dedicated staff of Dorm Parents and Affiliates, help to implement a Residential Curriculum, including academic support and meaningful programmatic activities. Modeling an active presence with students and staff, as well as effective communication with students, families, staff and the larger school community is essential. The Assistant Residential Dean reports to the Residential Dean, works collaboratively with the Assistant Head of School, Head of Upper School, and all Residential Staff, and teaches a course in the Upper School (or serves an equivalent role in the life of the School).
Essential Job Functions:
Supervision: Collaborate with The Residential Dean to train, evaluate and support the staff of The Residential Program at SSFS.
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Create and manage staffing schedule
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Train and supervise Dorm Parents and Dorm affiliates with The Residential Dean
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Supervise and support Dorm Activity coordinator
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Support Dorm Parents in setting appropriate guidelines for student behavior
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Handling any instance that deviates from this established set of norms
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Support students in any area of dorm life they may be struggling with
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Establish and present an appropriate residential curriculum for the students
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Assign areas of the curriculum to Dorm Parents and/or Affiliates making sure they are supported and present their topic(s) to students in developmentally appropriate ways
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Work an agreed on number of openings, closings, and weekends to be present when students are involved in the residential program
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Cover open shifts when needed in case of emergencies
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Managing and approving student leave requests
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Opening and closing dorm with The Residential Dean
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Coordinating transportation for students who need to attend medical appointments, airport, etc. with the transportation office
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Admitting and dispensing medications as needed and supporting any other day to day student needs
Compliance: Oversight of Dormitory Facility in light of best practices for a Boarding Program
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Observe and note any facilities and maintenance work that needs to be performed in the dorm
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Communicate any work orders to maintenance via School Dude
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Follow up to see that all work is completed
Administration: Collaborate with the Residential Dean to assure the efficient operation of the Residential Program in a way that best meets the needs of the School
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Communicate regularly with the Residential Dean, Dorm Staff, and Assistant Head of School
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Collaborate with other SSFS student support staff to assure student health and response to needs, including but not limited to: School Counselors, US Co-Deans of students, Advisors, Learning Specialists, and Dorm Staff
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Serve as a liaison between the School and Residential Families
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Collaborate with Residential Dean in planning for Dorm Staff orientation, training, and wellness initiatives
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Collaborate with the Residential Dean in planning for Residential students orientation, leadership training, recreational, and wellness initiatives
Teaching: The Assistant Residential Dean is also a part of the Upper School faculty and will teach one section of a course as determined by the Upper School Division Head (or equivalent work in the life of the School).
Physical Requirements: Daily desk work includes significant amounts of telephone and computer time as well as mobility around the entire campus. This includes frequent walking inside and outside, managing stairs as a part of daily routines, as well as responding to injury/illness incidents; night-time and weekend duty responsibilities.
Functional Competencies:
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Leadership/Integrity- Effectively communicates the School’s shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments
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Team Player/Commitment- Understands the big picture and manages areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the School’s mission and culture
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Interpersonal Skills- Relates to employees, students, parents and clients in a cooperative manner
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Productivity/Organizing/Planning- Meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time and handles multiple assignments successfully
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Professional Growth- Understands and acknowledges the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback
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Commitment to Diversity- Sandy Spring Friends School embraces the Quaker testimony of Equality and seeks applicants who represent all backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in education-related field preferred.
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Experience working with students, ideally in a residential setting.
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Ability to set clear expectations and boundaries and hold students accountable.
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Caring, understanding, and patient nature.
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Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
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Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
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Positive attitude, flexible approach, and a sense of humor.
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Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated experience working with international students
Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, completed application, and three professional references by selecting the link.
