House Master

House Master Job Description
Vanderbilt Summer Academy

Vanderbilt Summer Academy seeks a residential House Master to serve summer 2011, May-July. Position is a full-time live-in position with housing & most meals included for June and July. Job duties fall under three major categories:  hall management, student welfare, and staff supervision & leadership.  This position will report to the VSA Residential Life Coordinator.  House Master may also opt for part-time employment during Spring Semester (see VSA Planning & Admissions section below).

Please apply by February 1, 2012.

Hall Management
The House Master serves as the hall manager of the VSA residence hall.

• Keeps track of daily schedules.
• Checks & reports on maintenance issues in the hall.
• Supervises check-in and check-out for each VSA Session.
• Interfaces with parents and families of VSA students.
• Supervises VSA office.
• Works with students, proctors and housekeeping staff to maintain order in the hall.
• Enforces VSA code of conduct.
• Designs and implements system of fair and appropriate sanctions for violations.
• Serves as a responsible, adult presence in the hall for proctor staff and VSA students.
• Manages supply inventory & budget for hall activities.
• Communicates daily with VSA administrative staff regarding residence life happenings.

Student Welfare
The House Master will be charged with looking after the safety and well-being of VSA students. In many ways, House Master will act as a “house parent” for the students.

• Assists proctor and office staff with daily distribution of student medications.
• Oversees lights-out/all-quiet procedures in evenings.
• Prepares and communicates emergency-preparedness plan for student illness or injury.
• Communicates conduct expectations to all students.
• Designs and implements a fair system of sanctioning students who violate code of conduct.
• Works to maintain a positive and healthy environment for the students.
• Available to students for one-on-one counseling/conversation as needed.
• Communicate with parents as needed.

Staff Supervision and Leadership
The House Master will manage a staff of approximately 12 residential proctors and 2-3 operations assistants.  Proctors are typically Vanderbilt undergraduates who are specifically responsible for groups of 12-15 VSA students. Residential Operations Assistants (ROA’s) run the VSA summer office and assist House Master and Proctors with operations and student supervision. The House Master:

• Takes leadership role in helping proctors plan and prepare student activities.  Including, but not limited to:
• Logistical details.
• Supply needs.
• Transportation, when applicable.
• Advises proctors on management of their proctor groups including:
• How to conduct daily proctor group meetings.
• When and how to implement sanctions for violations of VSA Code of Conduct.
• Mail/package distribution
• Communicates information on scheduling, activity details & locations, etc. to proctor crew.
• Prepares a weekly duty roster/off schedule for the proctor crew.
• Supervises/assigns duties as needed to ROA’s.

VSA Planning & Admissions (Feb-April part-time option; not required.  Candidates interested in part-time work during spring should indicate this in their cover letter.)
During February-May, House Master will be directly involved with VSA Program Coordinators in planning and preparation for the summer. Duties will include:

• Processing applications and student documents
• Attending and contributing to admissions meetings
• Assisting with interviewing of proctor applicants
• General planning and preparation for summer activities and events
• Assisting with design and implementation of training program for summer residential staff
• Updating of student and staff handbooks
• Other duties as needed

Qualifications
Ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree; have residential life and/or summer camp experience at secondary school or college level. Past experience working with teenagers highly desired.  House Master must be at least 21 years of age by start-date of employment.  Must also have valid driver’s license and be willing and able to drive VSA vehicles. Strong organizational and communication skills along with proven problem-solving abilities highly desirable. Candidate must be able to live in the summer residence hall with VSA students and proctor staff.  Ability to handle unexpected student issues a must; including but not limited to:  student illness; behavior; violations of stated community code of conduct, etc.  Highly mature and able to manage residential community of a summer academic program for teens.  Current graduate students welcome to apply.

Compensation commensurate with experience.

House Master will start in VSA office in May.  Position becomes a full time, live-in position for June and July.  All applicants must be able to live in the VSA residence hall during the months of June and July.  This position will report to the VSA Residential Life Coordinator. Housing and most meals provided during June and July.  Housing will consist of a large double dorm room occupied as a single.  A communal kitchen is available in the hall for use of VSA staff. House Master candidates who are interested in coming on board part-time February should indicate this in their cover letter.  Employment is not contingent upon February-April availability.  Applicants interested in summer-only are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

To Apply:  Please submit a cover letter, resume and provide the names of three references with current and accurate contact information.  Please submit these materials by February 1, 2012.

Submit Applications:

By Mail: Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth; Peabody #506; 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN  37203-5721.
Hand Deliver:  Room 301 Wyatt Center