What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dean of Students position at Hawaii Preparatory Academy?
About The Position
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA) seeks an experienced and student-centered leader to serve as Dean of Students. This role is instrumental in fostering a positive student experience, overseeing student life, leadership, and citizenship while ensuring alignment with HPA's core values of integrity, respect, pursuit of excellence, and wonder. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for the Upper School, the Dean of Students plays a key role in student conduct, crisis management, harassment prevention, co-curricular programs, and student-related policies. As a visible presence on campus, the Dean of Students supports students both inside and outside the classroom, engaging with faculty, families, and staff to create a culture of belonging and well-being.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing student behavior, conflict resolution, and restorative practices, as well as a strong ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion. This position requires a deep commitment to student growth, inclusivity, and community engagement. The Dean of Students will lead student events, collaborate with leadership on discipline and student safety, and ensure compliance with school policies and legal requirements. A bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field is required. A master's degree and leadership experience in student affairs or education are preferred. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Key Responsibilities
Student Life and Leadership
Dean Of Students Job Description
Full faculty job description
Employee Essential Expectations
About Us
The mission of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (HPA) is to provide exceptional learning opportunities in a diverse community honoring the traditions of Hawai'i. Our work is grounded in HPA's Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Pursuit of Excellence, and Wonder.
Located on Hawaii Island, one of the most beautiful places on the planet, HPA is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school that serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Our students live and study within rare landscapes, precious ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. We embrace these attributes to create unique signature programs, research partnerships, and growth opportunities to empower students with a sense of purpose and the real-world skills to explore and reinvent that purpose over a lifetime. HPA's goal is to be among the greenest of schools and to undertake a leadership role in sustainability education, where our campus serves as a living laboratory that sends engaged citizens and agents of change into the world.
We seek individuals who believe in our school mission and core values and who share our commitment to the children of Hawai'i Island as well as the dynamic young people who come to HPA from around the world.
HPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law.
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA) seeks an experienced and student-centered leader to serve as Dean of Students. This role is instrumental in fostering a positive student experience, overseeing student life, leadership, and citizenship while ensuring alignment with HPA's core values of integrity, respect, pursuit of excellence, and wonder. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for the Upper School, the Dean of Students plays a key role in student conduct, crisis management, harassment prevention, co-curricular programs, and student-related policies. As a visible presence on campus, the Dean of Students supports students both inside and outside the classroom, engaging with faculty, families, and staff to create a culture of belonging and well-being.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing student behavior, conflict resolution, and restorative practices, as well as a strong ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion. This position requires a deep commitment to student growth, inclusivity, and community engagement. The Dean of Students will lead student events, collaborate with leadership on discipline and student safety, and ensure compliance with school policies and legal requirements. A bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field is required. A master's degree and leadership experience in student affairs or education are preferred. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Key Responsibilities
Student Life and Leadership
- Supports and collaborates with class leaders and grade-level deans in organizing events such as dances, School Olympics, 'Ohana Days, International Day, and graduation ceremonies.
- Serves as the primary organizer for school clubs and opening day events.
- Supports the Culture of Belonging program and its facilitators to promote inclusivity.
- Works with Student Council to support class leadership in unison with the class leaders and deans.
- Organizes and manages elections for Student Council executive offices and meets regularly with student leaders to guide their initiatives.
- Coordinates non-varsity after-school activities, ensuring diverse and engaging offerings.
- Works closely with the Athletic Director (AD) and the Assistant Head of School for Upper School to align co-curricular offerings with school priorities.
- Oversees the student sign-up process, instructor management, and follow-up on attendance or behavior issues.
- Attends weekly Student Support Team (SST) meetings to stay current on student well-being and academic concerns.with issues in residential, health, and academics.
- Services as a Student and School Crisis team member and the Culture and Belonging committee. Ensure compliance with mandated reporting requirements for suspected or known abuse (Department of Human Services, Child Welfare).
- Lead campus efforts to maintain safe student boundaries during and after school in collaboration with residential life, athletics, academics, and security.
- Investigates student incidents (sexual and non-sexual) in coordination with senior administrators, including the Assistant Head of School for Upper School, Director of Residential Life, Dorm Heads, and Principals.
- Serves as the primary responder to the anonymous reporting system, Safe2SpeakUp, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
- Acts as the primary communicator to parents during investigations, ensuring transparency and support.
- Works collaboratively with other senior administration to support the development and vitality of the academic program, boarding program, and student life initiatives.
- Ensures the student handbook and standard operating procedures related to student policies are continuously updated.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for harassment case management, ensuring compliance with school policies and legal requirements. Conducts thorough investigations into harassment allegations, including interviews, evidence collection, and maintaining confidential records.
- Enforces the school's harassment and anti-discrimination policies, creating a safe and respectful environment.
- Works closely with counselors, faculty, administrators, and legal representatives to effectively address harassment cases and support affected students..
- Develops and implements educational programs and workshops to raise awareness and prevent harassment.
- Provides guidance and connects students to counseling and other support resources when needed.
- Collaborates with school leadership to review, revise, and update policies related to harassment and student behavior.
- Responds promptly to harassment incidents, ensuring proper communication with all stakeholders, including parents and legal representatives, when appropriate.
- Ensures compliance with state and federal laws regarding harassment and discrimination.
- Oversees student attendance and behavior, ensuring alignment with the student handbook and HPA's citizenship standards.
- Manages the attendance system, tracking absences, tardies, and student conduct points. Coordinates disciplinary incidents, schedules meetings, and communicates with families regarding attendance or behavior concerns.
- Works closely with the Assistant Head of School for Upper School and the Student Life Office to ensure smooth processes and clear communication.
- Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
- At least 3-5 years of professional experience in education, related field, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
- Experience managing student behavior, discipline, conflict resolution, and restorative practices.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, families, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive school community.
- Master's degree in education, counseling, administration, or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in a leadership role within student affairs or education.
- Experience in coaching, co-curricular/ after-school programming, or student leadership development.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver student and faculty training workshops.
- Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and crisis-management skills in high-pressure situations.
- Be able to sit at the desk and computer terminal for extended periods.
- Be able to lift 30 pounds of weight.
Dean Of Students Job Description
Full faculty job description
Employee Essential Expectations
About Us
The mission of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (HPA) is to provide exceptional learning opportunities in a diverse community honoring the traditions of Hawai'i. Our work is grounded in HPA's Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Pursuit of Excellence, and Wonder.
Located on Hawaii Island, one of the most beautiful places on the planet, HPA is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school that serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Our students live and study within rare landscapes, precious ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. We embrace these attributes to create unique signature programs, research partnerships, and growth opportunities to empower students with a sense of purpose and the real-world skills to explore and reinvent that purpose over a lifetime. HPA's goal is to be among the greenest of schools and to undertake a leadership role in sustainability education, where our campus serves as a living laboratory that sends engaged citizens and agents of change into the world.
We seek individuals who believe in our school mission and core values and who share our commitment to the children of Hawai'i Island as well as the dynamic young people who come to HPA from around the world.
HPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law.
