Head of House

Heads of House are fully responsible for their individual resident house as well as being part of a team that leads the boarding program at Darlington School. A Darlington Head of House fully supports the mission and values of the school and has the primary responsibility for creating the best student experience possible. They are responsible for the pastoral care of the students who reside in their house and serve as the primary point of contact with residential parents and students alike, acting as a lead advocate for each student while working closely with the student's adviser and teachers. Ensuring continuity of Darlington School's mission through the six houses, the Head of House is a vital part of the Student Life team and works to ensure good relations among the houses, including equitable enforcement of Darlington standards and rules. They also manage the faculty team assigned to their house. Students enrolling at Darlington come from a variety of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Heads of House are expected to embrace and celebrate this diversity in the house and community. Heads of House are required to live on campus.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience in a secondary school boarding environment or similar, and demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills with adolescents. Darlington seeks candidates who possess the following attributes:

• Goal-oriented with a positive mindset
• Self-motivated and reliable
• Professional and personal integrity
• Unconditional commitment to leadership by example
• Awareness of the essential nature of wholesome residential life in boarding schools
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with students and families
• Strong organizational and communication skills

Core Responsibilities

Pastoral Care & Family Communication

• Monitor the academic progress and general conduct of students in the house
• Make regular written or verbal contact with parents of boarders concerning extended leaves/vacations, social behaviors, academic preparation, and other student-life experiences
• Support student well-being by working in partnership with the Student Health Center and Athletic Training Office to organize medical appointments when needed
• Participate in the transition and orientation of new students

House Management & Leadership

• Lead the house duty staff team:
  • Create the house duty schedule according to established protocol
  • Communicate effectively with the house duty staff on a regular basis
  • Evaluate and promote growth of duty teachers and student leaders
  • Hold the duty staff and student leaders to high standards, ensuring house expectations are met
• Manage a house budget
• Ensure the house duty staff and students understand and follow all safety procedures
• Make regular room and house inspections

Student Life Partnership

• Be an active participant with the Student Life Office:
  • Assist with student behavior concerns and the enforcement of penalties when needed
  • Help with safety and emergency procedures and drills
  • Partner with the Student Life Office in building and implementing life-skills and character development Residential Life programming
• Oversee and coordinate inter-house activities as part of the Head of House team

Community Building

• Maintain a vibrant, positive, healthy, safe, and inclusive environment
• Facilitate productive relationships between older students and younger students
• Facilitate effective student leadership development
• Establish and maintain house traditions

Additional Contributions

• Fulfill a proactive role in one other area of school life, including but not limited to academics, student life, admissions, and institutional advancement
• Participate in the life of the school as expected of a Darlington faculty member