Houseparent for Boys Dormitories

External Programs Department

Summer Camp: July 4 to August 9, 2023

Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, St. Michaels University School (SMUS) is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 day and boarding school with a global reputation for academic excellence. At St. Michaels University School, we seek to employ and empower individuals who wish to forge impactful relationships and careers that place our students at the centre. We firmly believe that expanding our diversity while adjusting our practice will lead to becoming the community we envision – a place where staff and students share a sense that they fully belong.

St. Michaels University School’s External Programs Department offers an array of educational enrichment programs for all students.  During holiday periods (winter, spring, summer breaks), the programs provide a learning experience for students aged 6-15 that emphasize skill development, cooperation, participation, and fun. SMUS Camps will deliver summer boarding camps for students aged 12-17 between July 4 and August 9, 2023. 

The Position:

The School is seeking male Houseparents to support our boys’ dormitories. Reporting to the Boarding Coordinator, the Houseparent provides a caring, nurturing environment for the students living on campus.  This means spending sufficient time with students and staff to establish a rapport based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding.  As the primary caregiver to the students, this role is responsible for ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Hours of Work:

June 29, 2023: required full day orientation session.

Duty hours will average approximately 40 hours per week.  Houseparents are required to be on call in the boarding house at least three evenings per week, between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:00 am.

Typical weekday shifts are 4pm to 11 pm, and then 7am to 9am the following day. Typical weekends often involve overnight off-campus trips.

The successful candidate will have the following skills, background and interest:

• Completed or enrolled in relevant post-secondary education such as Business, Recreation, or Education.
• At least 1 year experience working with youth, aged 12-17.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Understanding of the particular developmental and emotional needs of adolescents.
• Ability to work cooperatively and develop positive working relationships with international students. 
• Effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to request and convey information in an appropriate manner. 
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently. 
• Working knowledge of an Asian language, or Spanish, would be an asset.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in interactions.
• Basic First Aid training.
• WHMIS training.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervise morning, afternoon and evening check-in.
• Maintain a schedule for laundry and supervise students who are doing this task.
• Join and support evening and weekend activities.
• Assist with airport pick-ups and drop offs as necessary.
• When necessary, ensure students who are ill and who cannot go to class are taken care of.
• Fill in when other duty parents are unavailable.
• Facilitate student’s experience and help with adapting to the boarding environment.
• Assist with administrative tasks such as taking passports on arrival or distributing spending money as needed.
• Open and close major facilities such as Sun Center, computer lab, lecture theatre.
• Supervise Student Ambassadors and ensure they are working cooperatively and constructively with international student guests.
• Maintain a daily communication log to keep track of any issues.
• Collect keys and other items when students depart.
• Maintain a neat and tidy office and Common Room.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Be present in the house for evening on-call supervision shifts between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 12:00 am and 7:00 am on weekends. 
• When on call, ensure the safekeeping of the program emergency phone and communicate all issues to the Director of External Programs.

Criminal Record Check:

Must pass and maintain a clear Solicitor General criminal record check for the purpose of working with children.

Application Details:

Please respond with a cover letter and resume in a single document by 2:00 pm Thursday, March 9, 2023.