Community Director

Description

Our Institution: Founded in 1860, Bard College is an international network of highly innovative and admired educational institutions grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. A division of Bard located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Bard College at Simon’s Rock is the only four-year college in the U.S. specifically designed for motivated adolescents to fully realize their academic potential by beginning college immediately after the 10th or 11th grade. BA and AA degrees are granted in over 35 areas of study. Simon’s Rock attracts a diverse student population of approximately 400 students, drawn nationally and internationally, with a significant population of students identifying as LGBTQIA2S .

 

For over 50 years, Simon’s Rock has practiced the simple yet radical idea that many students are ready for college before the age of 18, an idea that launched the Early College movement in the United States and beyond. In 2015, Simon’s Rock launched Bard Academy, a two-year high school program for boarding and day students, with courses designed and taught by college professors and leading to entry into college after the tenth grade. In doing so, Simon’s Rock has connected high school and college in one cohesive, coherent six-year arc. In 2019, Simon’s Rock established the Early College Research Institute (ECRI), a locus for research into “what’s next” in Early College.

 

Summary of Position

Bard College at Simon’s Rock and Bard Academy invites applications for who will join the Office of Campus Life as a Community Director. The primary responsibility of the Community Director is to ensure that students have a safe and emotionally secure living environment which supports the educational goals of Simon’s Rock. Each staff member is expected to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the Residence Life and Housing team. Specific tasks include:

 

•       Helps to resolve and mediate conflict between students in the residence halls.

•       Upholding the standards of conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook.

•       Creates and oversees a working House Council, advising and supporting all House Council programs and events, and overseeing the budget.

•       Collaborates with student staff, this includes utilizing them in meaningful ways, meeting with them regularly, evaluating their performance, helping them work more effectively, and participating in the selection of new student staff members

•       Keeps the Dean of Students, the Director of Campus Life, the Associate Director of Campus Life, Community Directors, and other administrators apprised, as appropriate, on particular issues, and seeing them through to resolution.

•       Communicates and partners with parents to support students.

•       Attends regular staff meetings to discuss common residence issues, incidents, follow-up, community concerns, policies, and information of general interest.

•       Manages medical and psychological emergencies in conjunction with The Wellness Center (Medical/Counseling Services).

•       Promotes respect for the school’s property; maintains a cooperative working relationship with Physical Plant staff.

•       Serves on various Student Life and campus-wide committees.

•       Establishes and posts regular office hours each week where students and others may expect to find you in the Student Life Office and your assigned residence hall.

•       Maintains availability and a presence on campus, including attendance at most meals in the Dining Hall and being on-call as assigned.

•       Participate in staffing the First Year Experience sections each semester.

•       May have the opportunity to be the Community Director with Simon’s Rock’s study abroad program in Montserrat (passport required).

Qualifications

We seek community-minded, team-oriented individuals to help develop and foster an inclusive and welcoming campus climate which allows young students to flourish. Applicants must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, organized, and demonstrate good judgment. They should be mature, outgoing, and solution-oriented. Successful candidates should expect to be ac