Resident Director – Starting Summer 2025

The Resident Director of Student Life (RD) oversees a dynamic living-learning residence for six to eight highly motivated male high school students of color who reside at the ABC Westport House in Westport CT and attend Staples High School. We are seeking candidates to start summer 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to ABCWestportSecretary@gmail.com

Role

This live-in position oversees the ABC Westport residence and academic support program and provides a living learning experience for students that is welcoming, inclusive and structured. The ABC House under the guidance of the RD(s) should be a place where all scholars feel they matter and belong. The RD(s) must be committed to providing scholars with the tools needed to thrive in the ABC Program and Staples High School, while creating a sense of community in the ABC House. The RD(s) are required to live with the scholars at the ABC House during the academic year, late August to mid-June.

In addition to providing the ABC scholars with a safe, supportive, and respectful home-like environment in which to live, learn and excel, the RD(s) will work closely with the ABC Westport Executive Director (ED), Board of Directors, scholar’s parents/guardians, host families, teachers, guidance counselors, and the larger Westport community as needed. The RD(s) will maintain regular contact with the ED and periodic contact with scholars’ parents/guardians, host families and high school personnel as necessary. The RD(s) report directly to the ED.

Responsibilities

The RD(s) are ultimately responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and stable environment and experience for every scholar. Assist scholars with transition to ABC Westport and Staples High School.

Support and enhance robust cultural, social, and educational programming that keeps scholars highly engaged and inspired. These opportunities should be designed to build life skills, broaden scholar’s horizons, nurture curiosity, build confidence, and create pathways to long-term academic and personal success. RD(s) must generally be available to the scholars weekday mornings before school, after school starting at 3pm, dinner, evenings and other times when scholars are in the house (e.g., home from school sick). RD(s) are responsible for scholars two weekends a month when scholars are not with their host families.

In coordination with the ED, the RD(s) will maintain household operational needs such as purchasing household and scholar supplies including but not limited to scholar extracurricular activities, food and household products. Additionally, the RD(s) will collaborate with the Board designee on arranging cleaning services, lawn and garden services, maintenance needs and other related household expenses.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working with youth
• Prior experience in education, social work and/or counseling
• A general understanding of the broad issues facing education systems and specific issues facing students of color
• Demonstrated experience in listening, anticipating, and responding to the needs of students of diverse social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
• Ability to resolve conflicts and defuse emotionally charged situations through negotiations and effective communication
• Excellent organization and multitasking abilities
• Effective oral and written communication skills, using tact and diplomacy with the scholars, their parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, and the community at large
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to addressing issues of diversity and belonging (including, but not limited to, race and gender identity)
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and insurance with a clean driver’s record, and a willingness to provide transportation for the scholars in personal vehicle
• Successful passing a background check

ABC Westport values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience, ranging from $35,000 to $45,000
• Housing year-round with meals during the school year. RD(s) lives at the ABC Westport house in private RD space
• Time off during school hours (weekdays 8am to 3pm), when scholars are with host families school vacations and summers
• Opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young men of color