
Accredited by NEASC
Dean of Students and Belonging
Administrator / Full-Time
Kents Hill School, Readfield, ME
Dean of Students and Belonging
Position Overview
Kents Hill seeks a Dean of Students and Belonging who is passionate about working with teenagers as they navigate a world that is diverse, ever-changing, and complex. The ideal candidate will continuously work to build a positive student culture by engaging with and knowing each student well, earning their trust, and using moments of discomfort and failure to promote deeper reflection and learning.
Our Dean of Students and Belonging should be a person who believes in the power of navigating conflict through methods such as restorative justice, alternative dispute resolution, and personal and community reflection and who sees mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow. At Kents Hill, families are seen as critical partners rather than adversaries. The Dean of Students and Belonging builds formative relationships with students and their families rooted in equity, accountability, collaboration, and clear communication.
Reporting to the Associate Head of School, the Dean of Students and Belonging is a champion for the social, mental, and emotional well-being of all Kents Hill students across nearly all aspects of the school program and ensures that each student is known, understood, and feels a deep sense of belonging and safety at Kents Hill. This is a live-in position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Meet with and regularly engage with a range of students to promote the power of student voice and involvement in all aspects of school life.
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Serve as a resource to all students, families, and faculty for all matters related to student conduct and safety, including proactive communication with families and students regarding individual situations and general inquiries.
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Support the Associate Head of School in overseeing the diversity, equity, and belonging initiatives for students and ensure that Kents Hill is: 1.) current with issues and best practices; 2.) continuously addressing issues of diversity and inclusion from a holistic standpoint and 3.) ensuring that diversity and inclusion is a critical component of programs, policies, and procedures.
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Continuously develop and share standards for the conduct, ethics, and skills essential for living in a residential community, including attendance, healthy relationships, interpersonal communication, and technology.
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Oversees our system for student accountability and safety, including the development of a restorative practices and alternative dispute resolution system, and ensures that all outcomes are student-centered, equitable, transparent, and mission-aligned.
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Assess, as an ongoing process, policies, procedures, and expectations in our Student Handbook; and oversee the writing, revision, and sharing of the Student Handbook.
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Lead the CARE Team, ensuring effective facilitation, collaboration, and communication across the organization, appropriate behavioral interventions for struggling students, and systematic assessment of progress/impact.
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Coordinate student attendance, including overseeing REACH, student permissions to leave campus, and academic/athletic/co-curricular attendance.
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Co-Chair the Safety Committee with the CFO and lead all emergency and crisis preparedness efforts, including training (fire, active shooter, etc.), decision-making, and response.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
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Teach one academic class.
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Coach one athletic season.
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Serve as a member of a weeknight and weekend duty team.
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Serve as a Dorm Head.
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Serve as an advisor for a small group of students.
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Act as a PEAK facilitator.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
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Deep understanding of adolescent development, social-emotional wellbeing, and trauma-informed education principles.
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Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in equity and inclusion work and experience in implementing programming and supporting students around these important issues.
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Experience working in a leadership role with a background in developing and implementing policy, managing crises and the unexpected, and making difficult decisions.
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Excellent verbal and written communication and attention to detail.
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Experience with student accountability with a particular interest in resolving conflict through restorative practices and alternative dispute resolution.
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A desire to incorporate diversity, equity, and belonging into all aspects of student life including conduct, residential life, health and wellness, and academics.
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Comfortable with atypical hours and response to crisis situations and emergencies.
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Collaborative, creative, and action-oriented.
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Prior experience in a high school boarding environment is preferred.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a letter of interest and resume to HR@kentshill.org.
Kents Hill School is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
Kents Hill School
Readfield, ME
High School, Post Graduate
Day, Boarding
All Gender
