Director, Home Department

Title: Director, Home DepartmentDepartment/Location: Home Department/Aron House, St. LouisPosition Type: Full\-Time, 43\-week Summary

The Director, Home Department advances Principia by creating and promoting an inclusive vision for the dormitory; managing, mentoring, coaching, and developing the co\-ed team of houseparents and being proactive in ensuring the School Home Life program provides an inclusive atmosphere of love and trust, which supports and encourages the spiritualization of thought, character development, and serves the Cause of Christian Science. Reporting to the Upper School Principal \& Student Life Director, this role plays a critical part in cultivating an environment and culture that helps students build leadership, responsibility, and healthy decision\-making skills and collaborates closely with the Middle School Principal and will supervise the Assistant Director, Home Department, Lead House Parent, and dorm’s team of Houseparents to lead teenagers into an ever\-changing world while supporting them with the tools to be successful. Success in this role draws on the ability to radiate joy and enthusiasm for life and work, making you an integral part of the Principia community.

Who We Are

At our award\-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top\-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close\-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science\-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real\-world, hands\-on, project\-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides metaphysical support for Aron House and the campus as a whole
• Plans, organizes, and directs the boarding program, with an emphasis on providing a family atmosphere and promoting character growth
• Ensures that the dorm vision is visible to students, houseparents, parents, and the community
• Provides direction, oversight, leadership, and training for the work of the houseparents; participates in and promotes professional development of skills, strategies, and direction for the department and its staff, always encouraging a metaphysical foundation
• Proactively provides programming for the boarding program via speakers, empowering students to lead, various activities, etc
• Coordinates and/or co\-leads character education experiences (e.g., speakers, workshops, trips, advisory/leadership development) to ensure consistent themes and language across student experiences
• Gathers feedback and relevant data to evaluate program effectiveness and recommends improvements that strengthen student character growth and sense of belonging
• Provides resources and coaching to home department staff (and, as appropriate, faculty) to reinforce shared character development goals, restorative practices, and student leadership skills
• Partners with the houseparents in working with students, supporting their spiritual growth on a continuous basis
• Supports the Student Care providers in assisting students with their student care treatment choices
• Supports students to develop habits for making positive life choices
• Partners with the academic department to ensure the boarding program supports and promotes academic excellence
• Serves as a positive role model for the students and community
• Responsible for student disciplinary action when necessary, working in cooperation with the houseparents, Principals, Assistant Director of Home Department, and the parents involved with these issues; sits on any disciplinary committee when appropriate
• Communicates regularly with parents and families through phone calls, Zoom sessions, emails, technology, and publications
• Meets regularly with the Principal and Assistant Director, Home Department to develop consistency in the understanding and application of policies and procedures
• Develops and works with the Home Department student governing body
• Serves as a member of the admissions committee, which makes decisions on all applicants to Principia School
• Coordinates and collaborates with the International Student Director to support International Students during breaks
• Coordinates and collaborates with Sage around food needs for students
• Coordinates Belonging and Mattering initiatives and education in the dorm with staff and students

Special Provisions and Requirements:

• Room and Board: An apartment is provided in the dormitory at no cost for the employee and their immediate family. Families are welcome in the dormitory; however, the employee must be free of primary care responsibilities for dependent children younger than 7th grade. When school is in session, meals are provided in the dining hall without charge
• The Director, Home Department is on duty every week that school is in session and, as necessary, on travel weekends when students are arriving and departing. The Director may be asked to support International Student travel days, which may have different schedules than those of domestic students
• Off\-duty: Christmas break, summer break, and one week of spring break (except as indicated above on travel weekends)
• On\-duty: One week of spring break, fall break (long weekend), Thanksgiving, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Available at least a week prior to preseason training, a week after graduation, and periodically during school breaks
• Medical care training, first aid, and CPR certificates are required; Principia will provide training
• CDL classification expected; Principia will provide training

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:* Continuous Learning \& Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.

* Accountability \& Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high\-quality outcomes.

* Problem Solving \& Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.

* Proactivity \& Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.

* Excellence \& Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high\-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.

* Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.

* Collaboration \& Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.

* Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.

* Inclusion \& Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

* Leadership: Inspires and guides others with clarity, compassion, and accountability; supports individual and team growth in alignment with Principia’s mission and goals.

* Culture \& Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well\-being and development.

* Resource Stewardship: Manages budgets, time, and resources responsibly and strategically to achieve departmental and institutional objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science; member of Christian Science Church and/or Organization, and completed Christian Science class instruction. If not currently a class\-taught member of a Christian Science church, both are required within one year of the start date.
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding\-statements
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Valid driver’s license; Encouraged to obtain and maintain a commercial driver’s license and drive Principia School buses (Principia provides training); driving records must be in good standing
• Ability to successfully complete an extensive background check process
• Required to obtain a CPR certificate (Principia provides training) per the schedule outlined by Principia’s Workplace Safety Director
• Willingness to support student treatment choices, which may include chaperoning students on calls with medical professionals, taking students to medical treatment facilities, and providing responsive and timely follow\-up care, administering medicine to students, and communications. Facilitate the storage of medication through processes overseen by the Director of Student Health Care. Training in medicine administration is required and will be provided by Principia.
• Willingness to support all boarding students in a co\-educational unified boarding program model (Houseparents will only be assigned to residence halls where students share the same birth gender)
• Willingness to nurture spiritual and character development with students who have limited or no prior experience with Christian Science
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to fostering belonging and mattering within the Home Department
• Strong awareness and ability to develop competency in understanding and supporting the cultural needs of international students within a diverse residential community
• Willingness to contribute to other school programs beyond regular dormitory duties throughout the academic year, which may include coaching, substitute teaching, and providing support to performing arts activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and intuitively with middle and high school students and their families
• Experience working with teenagers, knowledge of teenage issues, elements of discipline, and the significance of character education at Principia
• Experience designing, leading, or supporting character education, student leadership development, advisory programming, or similar youth development initiatives preferred
• Demonstrated skill at managing others
• Supervisory training, education, and administrative experience preferred

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $64,620 \- $76,736 annually (at a 43\-week schedule), commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus housing and meals on campus.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:* Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro\-rated for part\-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre\-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).

* Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.

* Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.

* Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission\-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.