Lead Dorm Parent

Position: Lead Dorm Parent
Position : Lead Dorm Parent - two positions, one male and one female
Contract term: August 2027 - July 2029
Reports to: Head of Residential Life
Functional reporting for trips and activities : Head of Auxiliary Programs and Outdoor Education
School contribution: Assigned division with one teaching day each week.
How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted via the school’s website. Candidates should prepare and upload an updated resume and a list of at least three professional references.
In lieu of a cover letter, please submit a short video introduction of no more than three minutes, and share it as an unlisted YouTube link in the “Website, Blog or Portfolio” field.
Your video should cover:
A brief introduction of yourself
Why you’re interested in this role
Why you believe you’d be a good fit
Anything else that will help us get to know you
About Canadian Academy
Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit, secular, gender-inclusive international school located in Kobe, Japan's seventh largest city. CA is accredited by CIS and WASC, an authorized three-program International Baccalaureate World School, and is a member of TABS, The Association of Boarding Schools.
Canadian Academy faculty and staff inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging program that develops students' skills, promotes curiosity and a love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. Secondary students follow the IB Middle Years Programme in Grades 6-10. Most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12, while others follow a personalized pathway leading to a CA Diploma.
CA offers opportunities for exploration in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, service and more. Our athletics and performing arts programmes are enriched through participation in the Asia-Pacific Activities Conference, in partnership with 11 other schools in the region. CA is the only APAC member school in Japan.
Position Summary
Canadian Academy's residential programme currently serves 40 students in Grades 9-12 and is expected to grow. The school is seeking two Lead Dorm Parents, one male and one female, to provide consistent operational leadership and appropriate coverage across the residential community.
The Lead Dorm Parent is a highly student-facing role. During assigned residential duties, they act as the shift lead: organizing workflow, guiding colleagues, maintaining routines and responding to student needs. They build trusted relationships with students, support a safe and inclusive community and help daily dorm life run calmly and consistently.
The Head of Residential Life retains responsibility for residential strategy, policy, formal disciplinary decisions and significant parent communication. Lead Dorm Parents exercise professional judgement within established procedures and promptly escalate safeguarding, serious welfare, disciplinary or operational concerns.
The role combines residential work with a school-day contribution. Each Lead Dorm Parent will be linked to a school division and will complete one full teaching day each week of cover teaching or other assigned teaching responsibilities, when required.
Key Responsibilities
Residential Leadership and Daily Operations
Act as the shift lead during assigned morning, afternoon, evening, weekend and overnight duties.
Organize the workflow for each shift, allocate responsibilities and ensure clear briefings and handovers between residential staff.
Oversee daily routines, including room checks, check-ins, meals, evening study, curfews, room expectations and preparation for the school day.
Respond calmly and consistently to routine student issues, making appropriate decisions within school policy and escalating significant concerns.
Maintain an active and visible presence in the dormitories and contribute to a welcoming, respectful and well-organized residential environment.
Student Support and Well-Being
Build strong, appropriate relationships with students through regular participation in dorm life and a genuine interest in their experiences.
Provide day-to-day pastoral support and notice changes in attendance, behaviour, mood, health, relationships or engagement that may require follow-up.
Work with the Head of Residential Life, counselors, nurses, learning support staff, teachers and other colleagues to support individual student needs.
Follow agreed student support plans and communicate relevant information through appropriate handovers and record-keeping systems.
Promote independence, responsibility, healthy routines, positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging among boarding students.
Support student leadership, student voice and opportunities for students to contribute positively to the residential community.
Residential Programmes, Trips and Activities
Support and supervise a varied programme of residential activities that encourages participation, connection and student well-being.
Work with the Head of Auxiliary Programs and Outdoor Education on the planning and delivery of residential trips and activities.
Lead either the fall break or spring break residential trip and act as a supervising member of staff on the other trip, working alongside assigned faculty.
Take agreed time in lieu for break-trip duties, normally during the week immediately before or after the trip, subject to operational needs.
Complete required planning, risk assessment, student briefing, communication and logistical tasks for trips under the school's approval procedures.
Maintain effective supervision and duty of care during off-campus activities and respond appropriately to changes or incidents.

Employment type
FT Specialist

Work arrangement
No