Background

Horizons at New Canaan Country School (NCCS) was founded in 1964 and is the flagship program for what has become a national movement. There are now over 70 Horizons programs across the United States and counting. Each year we serve over 400 under-resourced students in kindergarten through post-secondary, the majority of whom live in Stamford and Norwalk. Our program includes a robust 6-week summer program for more than 280 students and a school year program with academic, enrichment and caregiver programming. 

Our Vision

To build a more just and equitable society.

Our Mission

Transforming the lives of underserved children and youth through year-round academic and enrichment programs to inspire learning, encourage success, and close the opportunity gap.

Our Values

• Equity through Opportunity
• Educating the Whole Child
• Joyful and Nurturing Community

Job Summary

The Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture (grades K-5) is responsible for providing leadership, resources, support, and interventions to ensure that the culture and climate of the program support the social-emotional well-being and growth of students, faculty, and staff. The Junior Program Director collaborates with the Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture to develop and implement programming that embraces the whole child, supports the academic and social-emotional growth goals of the program, and develops a strong sense of community within the Junior Program, as well as within the entire summer program. As such, the Junior Program Director and Dean will partner with their counterparts in the Senior Program to ensure consistency in values, routines, behavior support, and approaches to teaching and learning. The Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture will report to the Director of Student and Family Support (DSFS). While the bulk of responsibilities are carried out during the 6-week summer, there are some responsibilities during spring staff orientations and planning meetings with program leadership.

Responsibilities include

• Support Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Teaching Assistants-in-Training to address student concerns.
• Co-lead weekly staff meetings, address concerns, and support student and staff needs.
• Co-lead Junior Program functions, daily announcements, routines, and traditions, etc.
• Work with faculty and staff to recognize student accomplishments and celebrate birthdays.
• Support faculty and staff to implement restorative interventions to address student behavior concerns.
• Support faculty and staff to develop plans to address concerns regarding student emotional well-being.
• Facilitate the implementation of wellbeing surveys and assessments across all grades in the Junior Program.
• Participate in special events.
• Develop and implement strategies to recognize staff, support team building, and boost staff and student morale.
• Act as key liaison to Teaching Assistants, provide consistent and timely feedback, and conduct end-of-summer reviews.
• Ensure that all Junior Program classrooms and common spaces are cleaned and in proper order at the end of the program. 

The ideal candidate will have

• Master’s degree in school counseling or social work preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of post-graduate experience working with multicultural marginalized families and students in related settings and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of families/students from marginalized communities
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of Norwalk and Stamford communities and resources preferred 
• Strong communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Demonstrated competence in team building and supervision
• Ability to thrive in a busy work environment
• Passion for the Horizons mission