Employment

Kirby School in Santa Cruz, an independent grade 6-12 school, is seeking a full-time Academic Dean for the 22-23 school year.  This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic, experienced professional to join a highly respected educational institution.  This position includes health benefits and a salary base that is competitive with CAIS norms.  For more information about our academic program, mission, and philosophy, please explore our website. 

Overview of Position

The Academic Dean provides overall educational leadership and vision for the entire school. This includes broadstroke strategic planning, as well as day-to-day management of the school’s academic and extracurricular programs. This role creates policies and oversees curriculum in line with the Kirby Mission, and advocates for all learners by creating effective student support systems. The Academic Dean collaborates with faculty (and especially Department Heads) to actualize the school’s vision for student learning outcomes, balancing student wellness with engaging and meaningful educational experiences. This office considers innovations in technology, fair and equitable assessments, and a wide range of student and family concerns that emerge in the context of a 6th-12th grade program. The Academic Dean reports directly to the Head of School and is a key member of the senior leadership team.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain congruence between the school’s board-approved mission statement and all academic activities.

• Maintain UC certification status of courses in the course catalog.

• Monitor and maintain College Board approval of AP courses.

• Maintain NCAA certification status of the course catalog.

• Act as the academic leader of the school, responsible for its day-to-day operation: scheduling of students, overseeing and delivering academic advising, monitoring student academic progress, addressing student academic emergencies:

  • Oversee the curriculum with the Programs Committee and suggest recommendations for correcting overlaps/gaps

  • Assist teachers in matching appropriate assessment instruments to curriculum objectives

  • Engages and supports students and families when students face academic challenges

• Oversee the priorities of department heads and academic committees.

• Advise on prioritization of Professional Development opportunities.

• Support the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum.

• Respond to family concerns about the academic program.

• Create or modify and implement support programs for students who fall behind or return from prolonged absences.

• Collaborate with Deans of Students and School Counselor on student wellness and/or behavioral matters.

• Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring, retention, and assignment of faculty.

• Lead and set the agenda for regular meetings of the Academic Leadership Group whose role is to: 

  • stimulate the exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern.

  • review all proposed changes to the curriculum including the school-day structure, technology access, new course, and homework/independent practice policies.

• Oversee coordination of co-curricular and extracurricular activity programs of the school.

• Assist in generating and maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events.

• Provide both short and long term academic guidance for students and families.

• Oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to prepare the Master Schedule and create student schedules.

• Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, hybrid learning and instructional practices,  and general school procedures.

• Coordinate regular textbook reviews with department chairs.

• Monitor and review the level of homework and student projects being assigned.

• Monitor and review academic balance throughout school.

How to Apply

Kirby’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our hiring practices; we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at the Kirby School will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  Kirby School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, race, religion, color, handicap, gender identity, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law.

Interested and qualified candidates should email Joe Poirot at academichire@kirby.org. Please attach a cover letter, current resume, a writing sample, and at least two letters of reference. Position is open until filled.

Kirby School in Santa Cruz, an independent grade 6-12 school, is seeking a full-time Communications, Marketing and Admissions Associate.  This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic, experienced professional to join a highly respected educational institution.  For more information about our academic program, mission, and philosophy, please peruse our website.

Position Summary:

This shared position reports to both the Director of Communications and Marketing and the Director of Admissions. It supports a range of tasks associated with these highly collaborative offices which are focussed on attracting and recruiting (marketing driven) and evaluating and selecting (admissions driven) students for admission. 

Key Marketing and Communications Responsibilities:

• Collaborate daily with staff on projects, and ideas for marketing and communications

• Maintain Kirby’s social media presence including Instagram, Facebook and other social media sites, creating a social media calendar / content that engages current and increases new followers 

• Interact with students and staff to develop content for social media

• Write news blogs for and create the weekly newsletter to parents, students and faculty with attention to detail, accuracy and style

• Support the management of the Kirby website, as needed

• Create and curate images and video content for use in digital media marketing and advertising, assist in storyboard development

• Write high quality, mission-aligned blogs that illuminate the activities, events, and experiences of our community

• Update or produce advertising creative (including mailers, flyers, and digital) and maintain an advertising calendar

• Support marketing initiatives and events, as needed

• Write weekly reports and provide social media analysis

• Support the creation and implementation of advertising outreach strategies and campaigns including outreach and external work with feeder schools and the larger community

• Assist with Bulletin Board design and creation around the campus

Key Admissions and Enrollment Responsibilities:

• Answer general questions about the school and the admissions process

• Assist with tours, shadows days, and interviews for prospective students, greet families when they arrive on campus for these events

• Assist with engaging the student ambassador group, assist with providing brief training to student ambassadors surrounding prospective student engagement and the shadow program (shadow classes may be over Zoom or in-person)

• Support with data entry to help process digital admissions materials for applicants and newly enrolled students, using the Kirby Blackbaud Portal and Google Sheets

• Provide oral and written Spanish translation assistance as needed with admissions related communications to prospective families

• Provide support as needed for Open Houses, school fairs, tours and interviews, including occasional evenings and Saturdays

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to professionally and independently engage and collaborate with students, faculty and staff 

• Firm understanding of tools, platforms, and culture in the social media space

• Graphic design skills

• Must be computer literate with a solid working knowledge of word processing, calendaring, email, chat, instant message, presentation software, imaging/graphic design software, desktop publishing software

• Basic understanding of HTML

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Fluent in Spanish

• Self-motivated, organized, detail oriented, ability to prioritize and multi-task

• Ability to work independently 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Video production and editing experience 

• Proficiency in Adobe tools particularly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator

• Working knowledge of Google Suite including Google Analytics

• Knowledge of HTML 

• Interest in academia or an understanding of K-12 educational models, in particular independent schools

Hours and Compensation: 40 hours per week during normal office hours with some overtime potential. $25/hour.

How to Apply

Kirby’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our hiring practices; we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at the Kirby School will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  Kirby School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, race, religion, color, handicap, gender identity, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law.

Interested and qualified candidates should email Lisa Lee at admissionshire@kirby.org. Please attach a cover letter, current resume, a writing sample, and at least two letters of reference. Position is open until filled.