Director of Community Well-Being

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 the leader of the K-8 School Support Services team and is a knowledgeable resource and empathic guide for faculty and parents. The DCWB “owns” the wellness and belonging strand of the new strategic plan and builds, sustains, and evaluates systems and school programs that support well-being, mental health, and belonging. The role has a dual focus on individuals and the institution.

Primary Sensibilities: The DCWB models cultural humility and competency and ensures that Hamlin’s Community Statement is broadly owned and truly lived at Hamlin. A member of the school’s leadership team, the DCWB is a trusted colleague, hardworking team player, wise counselor, strategic thinker, and masterful presenter. The DCWB is an effective, experienced, and enthusiastic leader who will play a central role in inspiring and shaping school culture and community.

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.

Required Professional Experience and Credentials

• Significant training and at least 5 years’ experience leading anti-bias/social justice work, preferably in an educational setting
• Significant training and at least 5 years’ experience working in support services (i.e. counseling, mental health, learning specialist)
• Experience in crisis intervention and effectively partnering with leaders to manage response to loss or trauma impacting a community
• Training in nationally recognized diversity and inclusion workshop(s) or seminar(s)
• Strong and demonstrated skills in strategic design and implementation of new programs and/or systems
• Deep experience working in professional settings where equity, diversity, inclusion, justice and belonging are explicit core values
• Successful management of high-performing, high-functioning work groups or teams
• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Masters or advanced degree in counseling, sociology, education, business, or related field (highly preferred)
• Multilingual (a plus!)

Desired Personal and Professional Qualities

• Authenticity and self-awareness
• Passionate “buy-in” and understanding of Hamlin’s history, mission, and Creed*
• Self-confidence; seamless ability to join a high-performing, hardworking team of leaders
• Sense of humor
• 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

*The Hamlin Creed: Compassion; Courage, Honesty; Respect; Responsibility

Specific Areas of Responsibility:

I.  Community Onboarding, Community Support, and Community Growth

• Develop a Hamlin Orientation Program (HOP) related to DEIJB for new employees and new families
• Secure, supervise, and support affinity and alliance groups for employees, parents, and students
• Provide guidance and support to Parents Association organizations (i.e. PLAID, SPEAK, Lend-A-Hand)
• Partner with Community Advisory Council (CAC) to plan and analyze themes and trends in parent survey
• Assess areas of opportunity and communicate them to Head of School and/or Parents Association President

II.   Student Support Services and Well-being Programming

• Inspire, supervise, and evaluate team of LS/MS Counselors and LS/MS Learning Specialists
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with Student Support Services team and division heads to ensure that students and families receive the necessary support(s) to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially
• Work in close partnership with division heads, Director of Program and Professional Development, and teachers to refresh social-emotional learning program and implement mental health curriculum

III.   Institutional Change

• Carry forth recommendations from the Mental Health & Wellness Task Force with key leaders and educators
• Work in close partnership with Chief Financial Officer and Head of School to carry forth relevant recommendations from the Financial Assistance & Economic Equity Task Force

IV.    Professional Development: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging

• Identify and coordinate unique learning opportunities for individuals, teams, and the professional community as a whole in the areas of cultural competence, curriculum design, and community building
• Support faculty and staff in bringing their learning back to the school for a fuller and more enduring impact

V.    Daily Operations

• Work in close partnership with learning specialists, counselors, and division heads when students are in need
• Provide support and expertise in the recruitment and hiring process
• Provide admissions support (i.e. reviewing publications, attending events)
• Communicate (orally or in writing) upon request (i.e. Curriculum Night, State of the School, Keeping Posted)

General Areas of Responsibility:

• Serve as a member of the school’s administrative team
• Serve as a member of SCOPE (Standing Committee on Program Excellence)
• Serve as a member of the school’s crisis management team
• Provide duty coverage/supervision at community events (i.e. Winterfest, Learn About Hamlin)
• Attend board meetings upon request from the Head of School
• Serve as the administrative liaison to the board’s Community Advisory Council and the Parents’ Association
• Other duties as needed

Interested candidates should review all of the materials provided in the search process packet, which are available by clicking on the button below, and respond to Head of School Wanda M. Holland Greene with a thoughtful cover letter, recent resumé, and a written reflection (1-2 pp.) about their personal identity and readiness for this professional role.