Salem Academy and College, the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls
and women in the country by its founding date of 1772, invites applications for a Residential Life Dormitory Assistant (Commons Level) for an all-female high school dormitory. Our ideal candidate is an engaging and motivated team player with an interest in girls’ learning and desire to be a role model. This position is vital to ensuring the success and well-being of high school girls who reside on our campus.
Dormitory Assistants work with the mission and philosophy of the boarding program and are supervised by the Full Time Residence Life Area Coordinator under the direction of the Academy Dean of Students.
About Salem Academy and College:
Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls
and women in the country. Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to
innovate girls and women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 254-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating girls and women who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through a college preparatory STEAM education and a liberal arts higher education.
Salem Academy is a college preparatory school located on a diverse, active college campus focused on preparing young women for future college and career paths. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of women in health leadership. Salem Academy and College is located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known for arts and innovation.
Position Overview:
Salem Academy Dormitory Assistants live in an all-female high school residential dorm setting and are responsible for the care, supervision, and well-being of female high school age residential students. Dormitory Assistants provide a safe, secure, nurturing and structured dormitory experience for all boarding students. Dormitory Assistants aid students in adjusting to, and managing independent living, encouraging academic progress and personal growth and promoting a familial atmosphere while maintaining safety and security within the dormitory. Knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the social, emotional, and academic needs of high school girls is a must, as well as a strong desire to work with girls during their formative adolescent years.
Dormitory Assistants are part of the Residential Life Team and work collaboratively with other team members to facilitate a positive community experience for all students. Through the support and guidance of Residential Life Team members, students leave Salem Academy equipped with the skills they need to thrive in college and beyond.
This description is intended to identify the essential job functions and set forth the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive description of the job functions or requirements. Flexibility and willingness to be part of a community is essential to success in this position.
Summary of Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Dormitory Assistants are responsible for the daily operation and oversight of the dorm and are expected to help with chaperoning on and off campus events or activities, driving students to off campus medical appointments and/or Urgent Care or providing other coverage as needed during holidays, school breaks, and in times of emergency or crisis. This position requires helping residents adjust to and manage independent living, encouraging academic and personal progress and growth, promoting a familial atmosphere, and maintaining safety and security within the dormitory. Knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the social, emotional, and academic needs of high school students is a must, as well as a strong desire to work with young women during their formative years. Dormitory Assistants work closely with the Academy Residential Life Area Coordinator to facilitate a positive community experience for all students. Dormitory Assistants are typically on duty one or two nights per week and one to two weekends per month, with flexibility for scheduling changes (additional coverage may be discussed as needed).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Residential Life Leadership:
- Be an active and visible member of the Salem Academy Residential Life community;
- Actively engage in weekly dorm meetings, family-style dinners & dorm group activities with students;
- Be present and on time for all shifts as assigned
- Organize and participate in engaging evening and weekend activities as assigned;
- Be present for opening of school year student orientation and move in for all students as well as all break openings and closings and the end-of-year check-out: approximately August 1 to June 1;
- Mentor and care for boarding students; orient new students to Salem Academy community and dorm life;
- Chaperone students on activities as assigned;
- Provide monthly updates to parents and advisors regarding residential students.
- Other duties as assigned
Administrative Duties
- Inform students of and ensure compliance with Salem Academy’s policy guidelines for campus conduct as expressed in the Student & Family Handbook and Residential Life Handbook;
- Communicate regularly and as needed with other Residential Life Team members and Academy administration regarding student issues, dorm-wide issues, maintenance concerns, and other applicable items as needed;
- Administer first aid and daily medications as needed;
- Understand and implement security procedures such as: securing the dormitory, fire drill protocol/practice, student ID and room key, usage of master keys, dorm room condition report, etc.
- Supervise students in the dorms by checking email regularly (at least twice daily), monitoring the duty phone, checking for and approving/denying student pass requests regularly while on duty, entering behavior points in FACTS and completing yellow slips for student infractions in their mailboxes; completing duty shift report and periodically passing through the dorms, including student rooms;
- Report major infractions to the Dean of Students via email when appropriate in addition to duty shift report
- Participate in Residential Life Team meetings;
- Transport students to appointments, local airport pick up/ drop off, weekend activities and run errands for the Residential Life area as needed;
- Other additional duties as needed
Work Hour Expectations
- Work a minimum of 18 hours per week which include evening and weekend shifts. Exact times may vary depending on staffing and student activities and events.
- Since this is a residential position, primary work hours are weekdays after 4 pm and weekends.
- Additional hours may be requested to fill in for others as needed..
- Availability from approximately August 1st to one week after Academy graduation. (held around May 30th)
- Summer housing is available for 10 hours of work per week.
- Other duties as assigned
Perks Include
- Living in the adult residence life section: housing (private room with 2-person shared bath and living room) in the dormitory building
- All meals when Academy is in session
- Access to campus amenities such as a fitness center, library and outdoor spaces.
- Being a role model and mentor to motivated high school girls from around the world
- Adding a unique and meaningful experience to your resume
- Being part of a team dedicated to supporting and mentoring high school girls