Vanderbilt Pre-College Head of Residential Community (Summer 2027)

Fore more information about Vanderbilt Pre-College, please visit https://pty.vanderbilt.edu/workatprecollege/.

Location: Nashville, TN 

Type: Residential
Reports to: Assistant Director of Precollege 

Job Description 

Reporting to the Assistant Director of PTY Precollege, the Head of Residential Community takes primary responsibility for supporting the social, emotional, and interpersonal wellbeing of students within the residential environment. This position is a key member of the residential leadership team and serves as a direct resource to Area Coordinators, Residential Proctors and Academic Proctors as they work to create a safe, supportive, engaging, and inclusive community for students. 

The Head of Residential Community focuses primarily on the residential and social aspects of the student experience and will collaborate closely with staff from multiple teams to address student concerns.  

This highly relational position is ideal for an experienced educator, counselor, or student affairs professional who is passionate about adolescent development and student success. The role requires flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate a dynamic environment while balancing multiple priorities. In addition to directly supporting students, the Head of Residential Community coaches and mentors Area Coordinators and Residential Proctors, providing guidance on group dynamics, homesickness, conflict resolution, community building, and student engagement. Through proactive support and thoughtful intervention, this individual helps create a residential experience where students feel empowered to make the most of their time at Vanderbilt. 

The Head of Residential Community will be assigned to one of three program areas (Vanderbilt Summer Institutes, VSA Grades 7-10, or VSA Grades 11-12) and may require virtual and/or in-person training opportunities beginning in April or May. 

This position requires flexible weekend hours. 

Expectations: 

Within their wide array of duties and responsibilities, the Head of Residential Community is expected to: 

• Establish an environment of support for staff and students. 
  
• Serve as a resource to students who may need extra guidance when dealing with personal, academic, relational, social, or interpersonal concerns. 
  
• Support and encourage students struggling with anxiety, homesickness, making friends, adapting to the program, etc. 
  
• Handle unexpected student concerns, including but not limited to emotional distress, anxiety attacks, etc. *Note: behavioral issues or code of conduct violations will be handled by the full-time Program Director or Assistant Director.  
  
• Become familiar with the student rosters for each session and be prepared to address unique student concerns.  Facilitate roster “deep dives” with staff to provide helpful tips for supporting specific students in each proctor group.  
  
• Meet daily with the leadership team to provide updates on student wellbeing tips, session challenges, or student support initiatives. 
  
• Serve as a resource to Area Coordinators and Residential Proctors on how to properly support students in the residential setting. 
  
• Empower residential staff to engage with their students in respectful, meaningful, and thoughtful ways. 
  
• Facilitate communication among various staff members to support the student experience. 
  
• Work closely with other leadership team members to accomplish program goals and address concerns in a timely manner. 
  
• Check in with students regularly who have support plans. 
  
• Master SchoolDoc digital systems and processes including the EMAR and Health Log. 
  
• Collaborate with PTY Precollege nurses when supporting students with health concerns. 
  
• Support students who go to the clinic/hospital for illness or physiological symptoms based on the recommendation of the PTY Precollege Nurse, as needed. 
  
• Master PTY Precollege policies concerning medication intake (check-in) and distribution/logging, OTC medication distribution, health log processing and hospital/clinic visit procedures as needed.
  
• Develop accessibility accommodations and strategies for students who have limited mobility or have shown difficulty participating in PTY Precollege activities.
  
• Engage willingly as a team player with humor, enthusiasm, and a compassionate understanding of middle and high school students. 
  
• Enthusiastically adapt and pivot as needed to ensure optimal, engaging, and safe student experiences. 
  
• Be willing to complete driving requirements to operate a university designated vehicle. 
  
• Uphold and enforce all program and University rules as outlined in staff and student handbooks. 
  
• Thrive in a fast-paced, demanding work environment that requires continuing flexibility, a positive and caring attitude, and collaboration. 
  
• Must be familiar with the responsibilities of being a mandatory reporter. 
  
• Adhere to PTY's policies related to confidentiality. 
  
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 
  

Additional Residential Leadership Expectations: 

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with Area Coordinators, Residential Proctors and Academic Proctors by providing guidance for student support, but referring all staff-related personnel or employee support issues to the Assistant Director. 
  
• Assist first line staff in responding to student concerns involving homesickness, roommate conflicts, peer relationships, inclusion, social adjustment, and community living. 
  
• Collaborate with residential leadership to foster a positive residential culture through evening activities, community engagement, and student wellbeing initiatives. 
  
• Monitor trends in student concerns and communicate emerging issues to the Assistant Directors of Precollege. 
  
• Model effective student support practices and mentor first line staff in trauma-informed, student-centered approaches to working with adolescents. 
  

Requirements

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 
  
• Must be over 21 years old. 
  
• 2-5 years of experience working with children/teens in a full-time professional capacity (previous PTY Precollege or Residential experience will be considered). 
  
• Demonstrated ability to address student wellbeing concerns, conflict resolution, social-emotional development, and community building among adolescents. 
  
• Must be a self-starter and able to lead with little direction. 
  
• Demonstrate exceptional maturity and character. 
  
• Have experience communicating with parents or key stakeholders of an organization (both verbally and in writing). 
  
• Embody a strong team-player ethic and sense of humor. 
  
• Possess cultural sensitivity awareness and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  
• Be able to successfully and positively communicate with individuals of all ages, experiences, and roles. 
  
• Successfully pass the Vanderbilt University criminal background check and online training for working with minors. 
  
• Agree to adhere to all duties before, during, and after the program as outlined in the staff materials. 
  
• Must be able to traverse distances of at least one mile, including stairs, with or without accommodation. 
  
• Must be able to lift and/or maneuver at least 40 lbs. with or without accommodation. 
  
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide continuous up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records. 
  
• Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or supporting student-facing staff members, such as resident assistants, camp counselors, teachers, or youth program staff. 
  
• Ability to work a regular afternoon/evening schedule and modified weekend hours throughout the duration of the assigned program. 
  

Preferred: 

• Be a certified education professional (school counselor, teacher, school leadership team member, etc.). 
  
• Possess or be pursuing a Master’s degree in education, school counseling, social work, psychology, higher education, student affairs, etc. 
  
• Previous experience as an RA, Area Coordinator, or residential staff at a university or camp. 
  
• Previous experience in residential education, student affairs, residence life, summer programs, youth development, counseling, or a related field. 
  
• Experience supervising Area Coordinators, Resident Advisors, camp counselors, proctors, or similar residential staff. 
  

Benefits

Program Dates and Times: 

• Limited Spring hours may be available. 
  

• Required onboarding and training opportunities may begin as early as March and may be completed remotely when applicable. 
  

• Detailed Schedules:
  • VSA 7-10; VSA 11-12, VSI 11-12
    

• Shifts:
  • The standard day lead weekday shift is 7:00AM-4:00PM. Weekend hours will vary.
    
  • The standard night lead weekday shift is 2:00pm-11:00pm. Weekend hours will vary
    

• Assigned staff will serve in one of three program areas: Vanderbilt Summer Institute (VSI), Vanderbilt Summer Academy Grades 7-10, or Vanderbilt Summer Academy Grades 11-12.