Shift Leader (Internal Candidates)

Shrub Oak International School is the new benchmark in autism education. We are a private day and boarding school in northern Westchester County, serving the needs of an international coed population of children, adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Shrub Oak is a school where each student is respected as an individual and surrounded by experts who care and work to bring out each student’s greatest strengths. Our curriculum brings together the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education to prepare our students for independent adult life and employment. Offering two distinct educational programs, with both day and boarding options, Shrub Oak truly is a school like no other. Connect to a career, where passion & purpose combine…

Position Summary: 

The Campus Life Shift Leader is a year-round, non-live-in position reporting to the Campus Life Supervisor(s) and Director. In collaboration with the Campus Life Supervisor(s), the Campus Life Shift Leader provides front line direct care for students and administrative support for daily operations. The Campus Life Shift Leader is responsible for ensuring daily activities, routines and tasks are completed in the residential setting. Campus Life Shift Leader is also responsible for providing guidance and direction to DSP staff.  

Campus Life Shift Leader will work closely with DSP staff to create/maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of Shrub Oak’s student population. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required. The Campus Life Shift Leader also actively assists with other programs, events, and services administered through Campus Life and can be involved in a wide range of Campus Life responsibilities.  

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. 
 

Essential Functions – Primary duties of the position 

• Coordinate the day-to-day direct care needs of the Campus Life DSP and 1:1 staff to ensure proper and thorough care for each residential student. 

• Serve as a liaison between Campus Life staff to Student Life Supervisor. 

• Support the Campus Life Management team to develop, guide and mentor DSPs and 1:1s during Campus Life hours, generally, and individually based upon their particular developmental needs. 

• Assist to mentor and orient new staff, and train others to perform those responsibilities for growth and development. 

• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding his/her unique interests, needs and goals, as well as the student body generally, to maintain a positive and cooperative environment. 

• Explain, enforce and support all policies and procedures to ensure an inclusive and respectful community.  

• Complete administrative tasks, including assisting with move-in/move-out of students, shift logs, maintenance requests, incident reports, behavior intervention plans and progress tracking. 

• Proactively work with DSPs and 1:1s to assist students in crisis to de-escalate situations using SOIS protocol. 

• Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with Shrub Oak policies/procedures   

• Align staff for on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student outlined by the student’s ITEP, faculty, clinicians or Campus Life model   

• Advise, support and mentor students on various life skills and issues collaborating with faculty and clinicians as necessary and follow up with all issues regularly. 

• Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress.   

• Collaborate with Campus Life staff to ensure all students maintain a regular and appropriate schedule of events and daily living activities.   

• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training.    

• Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined. 
   

Required Skills – Competencies – Qualifications  

• Experience working with adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum and/or students with developmental disabilities.   

• Experience providing direct care to adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum and/or students with developmental disabilities.   

• Passionate about working with and mentoring students (adolescents and young adults) within area of responsibilities, all to empower self-determination, self-advocacy and development. 

• Experience coordinating, supervising, developing and engaging new and existing staff, with a view toward developing his/her capabilities, and which align to the program 

• Experience with collaborating with members of the department and a cross disciplinary team to achieve desired goals. 

• Excellent organizational, and oral and written communication skills 

• Knowledge of and experience with crisis prevention and intervention strategies and practices, and behavior intervention plans. 

• Knowledge of administrative operations, processes, techniques and procedures. 

• Excellent computer skills include Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) 

• Ability to deal effectively, professionally and courteously with internal and external contacts, including all Shrub Oak staff, and community constituents. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle multiple tasks with frequent interruptions. 

• Ability to work well within a team, as well as collaborate with colleagues, and others across disciplines within Shrub Oak staff 

• The ability to work flexible hours is required. 

Education and Experience  

• Relevant combination of post-secondary education and/or experience working with special needs populations as a DPS, Social Worker, Recreational Therapist, Registered Behavioral Technician, Behavioral Specialist or a related position   

• 1 year minimum of relevant professional experience working with adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum; previous experience working in a school and particularly a boarding program a plus 

• Experience working with individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors  

• Experience working cross-functionally in a transdisciplinary program to consistently support our students 

• Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus  
   

Supervisory Responsibility – Yes 
 

What is the nature and scope of independent decisions made in this position? 

Must be able to make reasonable assessments and decisions, to handle the day-to-day aspects of the role; he/she will be required to make valued, informed assessments and recommendations, and consult for guidance as appropriate 

Work Environment 

The work will generally be performed in a residential, campus school environment. 

Physical Demands 

Physical demands exceed sitting and require walking or standing to a significant degree. Is required to move throughout the campus on a routine basis and execute program operations. Daily desk work including extensive amounts of computer and phone time as well as the ability to navigate stairs, mobility around a large campus with uneven pavement, bending and squatting, lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds, and the ability to rearrange furniture for events is occasionally required. Ability to move quickly and freely around the campus, and on a moment’s notice, to ensure the safety of our students in unexpected or challenging situations.   

Pay: $25/hour & Competitive Benefits

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

Weekday afternoon/evenings, and weekends shifts.  Full-time and part-time positions may be available.  Full-time staff work a traditional 40-hour work week. Your manager will discuss the shift hours, which could be day, evening and/or weekends. 

Travel (if yes, percentage of travel time required) n/a 

Other unique responsibilities or conditions not previously listed i.e., bilingual, driver’s license, etc. 

Valid driver’s license preferred 

EEO Statement 

Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of his/her job. Please advise us if you require reasonable accommodation. 

Please note that this description may be subject to changes or updates.