High School Director
High School Director
Job Category: Administration and High School: Grades 9-12
Opening Statement
The San Francisco Waldorf School High School Director (HSD) leads and oversees all High School operations, and collaborates with High School faculty, staff and parents/guardians. This position reports to and works closely with the Executive Director. The HSD leads the High School Steering Committee and High School staff, ensuring collaboration among all High School stakeholders. The HSD is responsible for the overall student experience and works with faculty and staff to create the program and the culture. This individual publicly represents the High School, promoting the school’s mission and fostering strong community relations.
The High School Director’s essential responsibilities fall into the following areas: faculty/pedagogical leadership and support; administrative oversight; student experience; parent/guardian/community relations; and some teaching in area of expertise.
About
The San Francisco Waldorf School (SFWS) was founded in 1979 and serves more than 350 students across a parent-child program, a preschool program, kindergarten, and the first through twelfth grades. Waldorf Education is the fastest-growing independent school movement in the world. This dynamic approach to child development and education, based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, is continually examining itself and adjusting to meet the needs of current students. Waldorf education inspires life-long learning in students and enables them to fully develop their unique capacities. Our grade school campus (Preschool through eighth grade) is in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. The high school campus is located across town in the West Portal neighborhood. Both campuses are easily accessible by public transportation.
SFWS asks all employees to proactively commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to create an environment where all members of the community can flourish. Diversity is celebrated, and employees of color are welcomed, valued, and supported. We are dedicated to personal improvement, and service to the SFWS mission, bringing energy and excitement to serve all students, faculty, and families of the school.
San Francisco Waldorf School hires dedicated and highly capable faculty and staff; some are current or former parents of students in the school, and all develop a deep connection to Waldorf education and our unique school in San Francisco. SFWS employees are a committed group of free, responsible adults who bring our best individual selves to our work.
Essential Job Duties
Faculty/Pedagogical Leadership and Support
- Responsible for all faculty hiring, evaluation, retention and professional development, including performance improvement plans, with assistance and input from HSSC and others
- Leads curriculum development and program initiative processes through implementation
- Establishes the HSSC membership, sets agendas and chairs the meetings
- Is responsible for ensuring faculty members uphold day-to-day employment responsibilities consistent with school policies and agreements
- Manages teaching assignments, class schedules and substitution
- Oversees DEI Committees, processes, the anti-bias policy and incident reporting, works through issues using restorative practices
- Supports teachers and parents through challenging circumstances
- Shares faculty teaching responsibility by teaching approximately two blocks in their area of specialty
Administrative Oversight
- Responsible for and manages the overall High School budget (in collaboration with individual High School budget managers and Director of Finance)
- Manages High School crisis and emergency situations
- Oversees all daily High School operations including special programs and educational support
- Supervises the High School Administrative Coordinator, Registrar, College Counselor, Librarian, Counselor and Educational Support Coordinator
- Supports the High School Admission Office with enrollment, outreach and retention efforts
- Responsible for reviewing and updating High School policies, procedures and handbooks
- Approval of field trips and overnight trips in collaboration with the Director of Finance to determine licensing and insurance of contracted outfitters and travel providers
Parent-Guardian/Community Relations
- Is the “face” of the High School, representing and promoting the best of Waldorf education and the school’s mission, to parents/guardians, students, and community
- Develops and coordinates general communication with parents/guardians and students in conjunction with faculty and the High School Administrative Coordinator
- Hears and responds to individual parent/guardian concerns, facilitating faculty and staff responses as appropriate and in a timely manner
- Works with the Parent Council and the Parent Diversity Committee to facilitate parent involvement, including parent education opportunities and other parent/guardian initiatives
Student Experience
- Manages the processes and communicates with students and parents about behavioral and other issues related to student participation, and health
- Facilitates meetings between students or students and faculty as needed for restorative conversations
- Documents student discipline, records and responds to racial bias incidents
- Reviews and approves all TLCs (Teacher Letter of Concern) and narrative reports
- Develops student enrichment opportunities like Student Council, NAIS SDLC or SFHWS SLC
Other Duties: Leadership and Collaboration
- Maintains awareness of the whole school and participates in leadership decision-making accordingly
- Provides written reports and presentations for Board meetings
- Collaborates with Executive Director and Grade School Director to plan all-school faculty and staff meetings
- Consults with Pedagogical Council
- Attends evening and weekend meetings and events as needed
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Significant experience in teaching and/or administration in a Waldorf school
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Restorative Practice and facilitation skills
- Strong communication skills in both speaking and writing
- Experience working with adolescents
- Strong facility with digital communication tools
- Project management skills
- Understanding of and ability to manage school budgeting and personnel
- Understanding of and appreciation for collaborative leadership
Employment Details
Benefits and Compensation
This is a 1.0 FTE, full-time, exempt staff position with full benefits including medical, dental, flexible spending plans, retirement plan (employer contributions after one year of employment), and tuition remission for eligible dependents in our Preschool – Grade 12 program (after one year, for up to two eligible dependents, staff fees apply). Six weeks of paid vacation during the calendar year (administrative rate). The full annual salary range is $90K – $110K, depending on training and experience. Salaries are paid on a 12-month schedule.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs
- Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold
- Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours
- This position is based in San Francisco and requires on-site presence during standard business hours
To Apply
To apply, please submit a resume, letter of interest, and contact information for three professional references familiar with your relevant work experience, as well as a list of all previous school or educational institution employers, including city and state, in accordance with CA SB 848 to jobs@sfwaldorf.org.
