Director of Residential Life

APEX International Education Partners was established in 2011 to assist U.S. secondary educational institutions with the recruitment and hosting of international students. Our goal is to promote greater diversity in U.S. high schools, facilitate cultural awareness amongst American and international students, and ease the process of living and learning abroad. Through the years, APEX has created a portfolio of private day schools located in more than 10 states, a private dormitory in Connecticut, and host families that oversee the well-being, care, safety and education of international students annually. Our program ensures that students will succeed not only academically, but also socially while integrating into the American culture and education system.

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE & DORMITORY OPERATIONS

APEX International Education Partners is seeking a professional and seasoned Director of Residential Life & Dormitory Operations to lead, manage and provide day-to-day support for a vibrant residential community of 60-100 international (Chinese) middle-school and high-school students, attending over 10 private schools while living in a dormitory located in Derby, CT.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Residential Life & Dormitory Operations develops, implements, and oversees programs, policies and procedures that promote a strong dormitory community, student engagement, student academic success, safety, and well-being; develops and maintains rapport with residents through regular student contact; assists student residents in both emergency and non-emergency situations; supports the residential student conduct process. Provides leadership and supervision to the Office of Residential Staff including Residential Life Coordinators (RLCs), Resident Assistants (RAs), Facilities Team, Transportation Team, and Kitchen Staff; conducts performance management/reviews for staff; assists in the recruitment and hiring of direct reports, including reviewing applicant materials, conducting candidate interviews, and offering recommendations for hiring to ensure appropriate levels of staffing/coverage for all teams at all times; handles .

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) & Resident Assistant (RA) Team Management

• Direct and supervise the Residential Life Coordinators and Resident Assistants in executing their daily/nightly responsibilities, including preparing for new arrivals & departures of students to/from the dormitory, conducting nightly check-ins, meeting with students, working with school/administration to ensure student issues (ie academic/behavioral) are resolved in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Hold and lead weekly Residential Life Staff Meetings. Conduct and/or coordinate training sessions (ie CPR, First Aid, etc.) for Residential Staff.
• Plan and lead Student Welcome & Orientation sessions. Update and communicate Student Handbook, ensuring all dorm policies are enforced, issuing Student Incident Reports when needed and adjudicating all student infractions promptly and effectively.
• Counsel students having difficulty adjusting to dormitory life, their new school or U.S. culture. Collaborate with dormitory nurse to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of each student resident.
• Create and schedule the monthly "Live-in RLC & RA On-Duty/On-Call Calendar", recognizing that the dormitory is open 365 days/year, serves to support and supplement the RLC & RA on-duty/on-call rotation schedule, providing RLC/RA back-up and coverage, when needed. Respond to and assist with emergency situations.
• Plan, coordinate and implement a robust monthly "Events Calendar" for student residents. Create and monitor budget for dormitory expenditures.
• Host monthly dormitory Student Meetings and oversee dormitory clubs and programs such as Student Council, Student Ambassador and Yearbook.

Facilities & Kitchen Management

• Direct and supervise the Facilities Maintenance Team in their daily responsibilities in keeping the dormitory/facility clean and well-maintained; oversee grounds maintenance; coordinate and prepare rooms for new student arrivals, follow up on room departure procedures, and billing related to student damage.
• Work closely with Facilities Team and upper management on infrastructure/capital expenditures, maintenance projects and budgets. Verify that building security equipment is working properly ie video cameras, key fob/entry system, locks/alarms on doors, fire alarms. Ensure periodic Fire Drills are performed and documented.
• Direct and supervise the Kitchen Staff in their daily responsibilities to plan, order, budget and prepare student meals throughout the week, for special dinners and events. Ensure safety and cleaning protocols are followed daily and kitchen/appliances are cleaned and well-maintained.

Transportation Team Management

• Direct and supervise the Transportation Team in their daily responsibilities to ensure the safe, efficient and timely transportation of students to/from the dormitory and school/camp each day. Ensure transportation needs are met for students' extracurricular participation, school events, doctor visits, off-location exams, weekend activities, mid-year student moves and temporary placements through planned and organized daily scheduling of drivers and vehicles.
• Manage the transportation budget and costs by providing best return-on-investment for various transportation needs. Ensure proper selection of Company vehicles in support of the transportation needs and utilize all vehicles (cars, vans, bus) effectively.
• Ensure all vehicles are kept clean and in proper working order. Ensure all drivers conduct thorough pre/post trip inspections and document any issues needing to be addressed. Elicit the help of Facilities personnel to ensure needed attention to vehicles and proper and cost-effective resolution.
• Ensure proper training for all new hires and existing drivers. Ensure drivers are following safe driving procedures and are following all of the "rules of the road". Address any issues or concerns. Ensure all DOT compliance standards, policies and procedures are followed and enforced. Verify all auto insurance documentation and AAA memberships are processed, updated and filed.

The Director of Residential Life is a full-time, year-round, nearby professional who provides oversight and leadership to the Office of Residential Life & Dormitory Operations Staff.

QUALIFICATIONS include a Master's Degree (required) or higher (preferred) in education administration, student affairs, international student programs, student personnel/counseling or a related field, a minimum of 10+ years related experience working in student affairs, residential life and student housing/operations, 5+ years of management experience, and a minimum of 2+ years "Live-In" experience at a Director-level. Prior student conduct and mediation experience required. Prior experience working with Chinese students and can understand and appreciate the Chinese culture, parent demands and requests abroad, is preferred.

Must be fluent in English. Fluency in Mandarin a plus. Prior work experience with international (Chinese) students and understanding of cultural differences is preferred. Ability to understand parent's expectations while also supporting student's needs.

Ability to lead multiple teams, demonstrate excellent decision-making skills, prioritize tasks/projects and possess sensitivity for the welfare of their international middle school and high school student residents.

Must have a proven track record of ensuring student's smooth assimilation, success, happiness and overall satisfaction as it relates to living in a dormitory. Must have the ability to work well with students, can connect and understand them, and can lead staff in accomplishing these objectives.

Must be detailed-oriented and possess excellent time management and project management skills. Be organized, efficient and capable of taking on the multi-faceted responsibilities of the role. Must be highly tech-savvy and proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are needed. Must be able to effectively communicate and problem-solve with students, staff and school administration to successfully resolve issues. Possess an encouraging spirit and a customer-service focus. Be cooperative with staff and act as a primary advocate and mentor for dormitory students.

Ability and willingness to work extended hours and be on-call/available during the evenings, weekends and holidays.

Staff must undergo and pass a national criminal and sex offender background and driving record check. Must possess a valid Driver's License.

COMPENSATION Full-Time Salary ($75K-$85K, DOE) + Non-Discretionary Bonus, Health Benefits (after 60 Days of service) + Paid Time Off (PTO) + 401K (after 1 year of service).

ATTRACTIVE REDUCED COST RENTAL HOUSING option available for candidate willing to relocate and/or not located within 30-minute driving radius of Derby, CT dormitory.

JOB TYPE Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt. Regular business hours cannot define the typical work week. The position requires the individual to be available/on-call evenings, weekends, holidays to address unpredictable/time-sensitive issues, emergency situations, periodically participate in RLC/RA on-duty/on-call rotation/coverage, etc. The Director of Residential Life & Dormitory Operations is expected to live near (within a 30-minute driving radius of) the Derby, CT dormitory.

BENEFITS:

• Non-Discretionary Bonus
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

WORK LOCATION In-Office/Dormitory (Derby, CT)

In order to be considered for this position, submit a resume with cover letter indicating your interest in this position and how your background and experience are relevant to the qualifications of this opportunity.

APEX is an equal opportunity employer.