Our School Hakuba International School is a new international boarding school (opened in 2022), located in the beautiful Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps. Our school is dedicated to answering the driving question: What kind of education enables people and the planet to flourish? Our focus is on personal and environmental well-being, combined with deeper learning methods to develop leaders who can solve the world’s most complex problems.
We are an intentionally small school, serving approximately 40 students in grades 7-10 during the 2024-25 school year, and adding one grade per year until 12th grade, reaching an eventual full size of 150 students. For more about our school’s background and methods, please visit www.hakuba-is.jp.
ResidentialRoles We see our residential team as playing one of the most essential roles in our school: creating a sense of home. In particular, a home with the right conditions — such as safety, social-emotional wellness, challenge, and meaningful student leadership and voice — for students to flourish. We hold the privilege of creating a home for young people during a transformative time in their lives, when they have the chance to learn the fundamental skills of independence and interdependence.
House Parent
Fundamentals: This is a full-time residential role, designed to support a middle and high school dormitory with approximately 30 students this year, growing to up to 50 in future years. We are open to less experienced candidates for this role, but we do require some experience in boarding environments, whether in schools or camps. English fluency is required, and Japanese language skills are a bonus but are not required.
Key Responsibilities: This role works alongside two other House Parents, and is further supported by faculty members who visit the dormitory on a rotating schedule. Work hours would include dorm coverage every other weekend (balanced by days off during the week), as well as a mix of evening (5-10pm) and morning (7-9am) coverages, approximately 2-4 times per week, depending on the rotating residential staff schedule. Specific responsibilities and goals include:
Ensure the smooth running of the dormitory, in accordance with the residential handbook, creating a friendly, welcoming and happy environment;
Ensure students wake up on time, sleep at a reasonable hour, and maintain healthy habits in eating, exercise, cleanliness, etc;
Maintain general House Rules, while keeping an open ear for student feedback and proposals to improve these rules over time;
Monitor and support student well-being in their residential life, including serving as the initial responder for psychological needs (which can later be referred to advisors, counsellors, or outside support as needed) and simple medical needs (referring to clinic or hospital as needed);
Maintain accurate student records pertaining to residential life, medical information, and more;
Collaborate with faculty and advisors for broader school decisions and integration across residential and academic domains;
Ensure the facility remains in proper running order, working with outside tradespeople and internal staff as needed, and completing basic facility maintenance tasks such as taking garbage to the waste centre;
Supervise student cleaning crews to clean their rooms and other parts of the dorm;
Support special activities, such as parties, clubs, or residential projects;
Other Responsibilities: As a young school still in the startup phase, there are many other small roles circulating among the team, such as supporting an after-school club or activity, taking on a small administrative task, etc, and everyone is asked to contribute in areas of expertise or interest, depending on needs and a sustainable working schedule for all. All staff should also enjoy participating in outdoor activities and expect to participate occasionally in overnight outdoor expeditions.
Personal Qualities: We’re looking for someone excited about building a new school, ready for the startup experience, and passionate about a more holistic, humane approach to education. We believe learning is naturally fun and playful, and we try to live that way too. We’re building a team of people who are kind-hearted, open-minded, resilient, and creative. Those who see themselves as serving students best by being authentic, vulnerable, and keen listeners are especially appreciated!
Structure
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Our benefits include housing and utilities for the House Parent and their family, a relocation stipend, annual home leave travel allowance, 3 full meals per day whenever students are on campus, a laptop, and many professional development opportunities (e.g. the Compassionate Systems Framework, social-emotional learning, and others). All employees are also enrolled in the Japanese healthcare system, national pension system, and unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance.
Visas: We sponsor visas for candidates applying from outside of Japan, and our faculty come from many countries around the world. Learn more about our team here!
Timing: This role begins as soon as possible, preferably before the end of 2024. We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis beginning in October 2024, and will make a hire as soon as the right candidate is identified. Our school year follows a late August to mid-June schedule (see 2024-25 Academic Calendar).
