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 Academy Residential Life Dormitory Assistant 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.

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 women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 252-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 liberal arts education.  Salem Academy is a boarding and day college preparatory school with focus on interdisciplinary learning using STEAM, wellness and leadership. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place.

Niche lists Salem Academy as the No. 1 boarding school in North Carolina; No. 5 college prep high school in North Carolina as well as the No. 1 college prep school in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, NC area. Salem Academy has students from more than 10 states and 5 countries. Over 85% of the faculty and staff have a master’s degree or higher.  Courses are taught at the college prep, honors, AP and dual enrollment levels.  The unique partnership and shared campus with Salem College allows for collaboration with college faculty/staff on curriculum ideas, club activities and more. Salem completed its 250th-anniversary campaign exceeding a $12.5M goal.

Salem Academy is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known as the “City of Arts and Innovation”. Winston-Salem is a lively academic community, home to six institutions of higher education and more than 26,000 students. Winston Salem has a collaborative and engaged academic community with strong private and public schools, excellent healthcare systems, and affordable housing. The Winston-Salem area also offers a rich variety of cultural opportunities and has a vibrant art and restaurant scene. Within a few hours of campus are mountains for skiing, camping, or hiking; rivers for whitewater rafting; and the beautiful ports and beaches of North and South Carolina.

Position Summary:

Salem Academy Dorm Assistants live in an all-female high school residential dorm setting and are responsible for the care, supervision, and well-being of residential students. Dorm Assistants provide a safe, secure, nurturing and structured dormitory experience for all boarding students. Dorm 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 students is a must, as well as a strong desire to work with girls during their formative years. 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Academy Residential Life Staff 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. Academy Residential Staff members are typically on duty one or two nights per week and every third or fourth weekend.

Residence Life Leadership:

• Be an active and visible member of the Salem Academy Residential Life community;
• Actively engage in weekly dorm/hall meetings, family style dinners & dorm group activities with students;
• Organize and participate in engaging evening and weekend activities;
• 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;
• Mentor and care for boarding students; orient new students to Salem Academy community and dorm life;
• Chaperone students on activities as assigned;
• Communicate with parents and advisors as needed.

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 regarding student issues, dorm-wide issues, maintenance concerns, and other applicable items as needed;
• Enforce all dorm policies and issue consequences as appropriate
• 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.
• Submit facility work orders as needed and follow up on them;
• Supervise students in the dorms by checking email twice daily, monitoring the duty phone, checking for student pass requests regularly while on duty, entering behavior points in FACTS; complete nightly duty report and dorm life checks, including student room cleanliness;
• Report major infractions to the Dean of Students via email when appropriate in addition to nightly duty report
• Provide and update the ResLife Team when out of the dorm overnight (off duty) by adding to the ResLife Calendar and sending an email to the Full Time Residence Life Area Coordinator.
• Read all ResLife Admin emails, staying up-to-date on any policy, procedural, or scheduling changes
• Participate in Residential Life Team meetings
• Transport students to appointments, local airport pick up/ drop off, weekend activities and run errands for Residential Life area as needed;
• Other additional duties as needed

Work Hour Expectations:

• Work a minimum of 16 hours per week which may include either a Friday 4 pm-midnight and Saturday 9 am-5 pm shifts or Sunday 9 am-5 pm and Monday 3 pm- 11 pm shifts. Times may change depending on staffing.
• 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 who may be out sick.
• Availability from approximately August 1st to one week after Academy graduation. (approximately May 30th)
• Summer housing is available for 10 hours of work per week.

Perks Include:

• Housing (private room and shared bath) in the residential building
• All meals when Academy is in session
• Access to campus amenities such as a fitness center and pool
• 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

Required Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license and excellent driving record
• Willingness to obtain a CDL license
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills and a team player work ethic
• Associate’s Degree; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Willingness to work mid-afternoon into evening and weekends.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Ability to lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds
• Ability to go up and down stairs multiple times a day
• Prior experience working with High School Students preferred
• Prior experience working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds preferred

Physical Functions:

• Valid driver’s license and excellent driving record
• Willingness to obtain a CDL license
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills and a team player work ethic
• Associate’s Degree; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Willingness to work mid-afternoon into evening and weekends.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Ability to lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds
• Ability to go up and down stairs multiple times a day
• Prior experience working with High School Students preferred
• Prior experience working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds preferred

Application Process:

To apply, please send a letter of interest addressing your qualifications to Kristina Sorrells, Academy Head of School, at kris.sorrells@salem.edu. The review of applications will begin immediately.

Salem Academy and College is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.