Dorm Head - Activity Coordinator

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Dorm Head is an administrative position responsible for the overall care, supervision, and management of a student dormitory at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA). As a residential faculty member, the Dormitory Head provides leadership, guidance, and support to residential students, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging living environment. They oversee dorm operations, mentor students, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and parents to foster student well-being and personal growth. The Dormitory Head also serves as a liaison between the residential faculty and the Director of Residential Life, academic faculty, and student families.

The Dorm Head - Activity Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the weekend activities program at HPA for our boarding students. The Coordinator plays a vital role in providing a robust, well-balanced, and meticulously scheduled calendar of optional activities for boarding students on weekends, school holidays, and occasional week-nights. They work with the Director of Residential Life, Outdoor Program Coordinator, and Athletic Director to balance multiple co-curricular schedules, providing opportunities for community building, exploration, service, and fun for the student population, particularly the boarding students. They coordinate faculty participation in chaperoning and leading events, acting as a support to all planned activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/TASKS:

Key Responsibilities

• Creates, coordinates, actively maintains and communicates the Upper School activity calendar while ensuring faculty participation, maintaining equipment, gathering input from relevant constituencies (faculty, student council, students), and arranging all facility and/or bus reservations.
• Maintains the Weekend Activities myHPA page and class, updating it with weekly activities and schedule.
• Manages weekend activity sign-ups for students, and communicates rosters to chaperones.
• Provides logistical support to the outdoor program.
• Provides fiscal management for Student Activities budget.

Team Management:

• Lead, support, and coordinate a team of six residential faculty.
• Conduct bi-weekly team meetings to discuss dormitory operations, student concerns, and upcoming events.
• Participate in professional development and evaluation processes with residential faculty members.
• Provide training and mentorship for new dormitory staff, including shift shadowing.
• Ensure a safe and structured dormitory environment by enforcing school policies and fostering community standards.

Residential Life Oversight:

• Ensure student safety, well-being, and adherence to dormitory policies.
• Oversee dormitory operations, including maintenance, cleanliness, and facility upkeep.
• Manage room assignments and facilitate room changes as needed.
• Develop and implement initiatives to foster a positive dorm culture.
• Plan and coordinate dormitory-wide events, activities, and celebrations.

Student Support and Development:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for dormitory student concerns and conflicts.
• Monitor student engagement, academic progress, and behavioral trends, providing individualized support plans as needed.
• Work closely with Health and Wellness Services to ensure continuity of care for students facing health or emotional challenges.
• Serve as a disciplinary authority, handling behavioral infractions in accordance with school policies.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Serve as a liaison between residential life, academic faculty, and student families.
• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding student progress, concerns, and achievements.
• Oversee the creation and submission of semester dormitory reports to parents.
• Attend and contribute to weekly Student Support Team (SST) meetings.
• Participate in the Administrative Hearing Committee when cases involve dormitory students.

Program Leadership & Curriculum:

• Assist in planning and implementing the Residential Life Curriculum, including weekly dormitory and hall meetings.
• Collaborate with the residential life team to organize student activities and programming.
• Participate in training and orientation programs for residential faculty and student leaders.
• Lead three out of every four student curriculum meetings, including dorm meetings, hall meetings, and formal dinners.

Additional Duties:

• Fulfill weekly office hours and maintain a visible, accessible presence in the dormitory.
• Contribute to weekend dorm duty rotations alongside residential faculty.
• Ensure proper student use of HPA's Leave Management System (ORAH) for sign-outs and weekend travel.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Residential Life and other Dormitory Heads to enhance the residential experience.
• Serve as a primary responder during emergencies or crises within the dormitory.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of experience working in residential life, student affairs, or a related educational setting.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive residential community.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in education, counseling, administration, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in a leadership role within residential life or student affairs.
• Experience developing and implementing student programming and leadership initiatives.
• Familiarity with student safety protocols and crisis management procedures.

APPLY HERE with your resume and cover letter.

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.

STATUS: Exempt, Full-time

UPDATED: SY25-26