Residential Life Assistant

About Léman:

Léman Manhattan is the only independent school in Lower Manhattan serving students from 12 months through Grade 12, offering a rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in one of the world’s most dynamic educational environments.

Consistently ranked among New York’s top private schools by Niche (#29 K–12, #5 Arts, #3 Boarding, #3 Diversity), Léman is also NYC’s only boarding school and the first private school to achieve acceptances to all Ivy League institutions within its first decade of graduates.

Our community represents over 130 countries, fostering a global perspective and inclusive culture. Blending distinguished tradition with cutting-edge innovation, Léman prepares students for the rapidly evolving college and career landscape—guided by our mission: “Each student, future prepared.”

This role is part of Léman Manhattan' s exciting and collaborative learning community offering an engaging and challenging academic program for all students.

Each employee demonstrates a commitment to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to fostering an inclusive learning community. As an international school with a global outlook, Léman Manhattan utilizes the International Baccalaureate Programme's philosophy to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful, engaged leaders. As a school community, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, belonging, and justice, and to holding ourselves accountable for addressing harm, repairing relationships, and continuing to learn together.

Position Summary: 

The Léman Manhattan Residential Life Program is now seeking a part-time Residential Assistant (RA). The Residential Assistant works in collaboration with and under the direction of our full-time Dorm Parents to help maintain a safe, healthy, structured, and engaging residential environment for our students. 

Building positive relationships with students, grounded in compassion, mutual respect, and appropriate professional boundaries, is essential to the Residential Assistant position. The Residential Assistant must be willing to take a proactive and hands-on approach to supervising and engaging with students, supporting them with everyday concerns, reinforcing community expectations, and referring significant concerns to Dorm Parents as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities: 

(The primary tasks, functions and deliverables of the role)

• Supporting the care, supervision, safety, and well-being of boarding students while on duty, in accordance with Residential Life policies and under the direction of Dorm Parents

• Supervising student lounges, common areas, and other residential spaces during assigned shifts

• Monitoring student whereabouts, facilitating student checkouts, and performing regular rounds of residential spaces

• Serving as a positive, approachable adult presence and role model in the residential community

• Supporting students with everyday concerns and referring more significant student needs or concerns to Dorm Parents

• Reinforcing community expectations and responding to student conduct, rule, or safety concerns in accordance with established procedures, including referring concerns to Dorm Parents as appropriate

• Communicating relevant student concerns, incidents, and observations promptly and accurately to Dorm Parents

• Completing shift report documentation and other administrative tasks as assigned

• Assisting with and chaperoning residential activities, community-building events, and excursions

• Following established emergency, health, and safety procedures and promptly notifying Dorm Parents or other designated staff when concerns or emergencies arise

• Ensuring that the work environment at the dormitory is professional, safe, and efficient

• Participating in required training and following established Residential Life procedures and supervisory direction

• Performing other duties as assigned to support Residential Life operations

The Residential Assistant is a part-time, hourly position with regular weekend availability required. Shifts are typically scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Applicants must be available to work both Saturday and Sunday at least every other weekend. Additional shifts outside of these typical days and hours may be available as needed.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred

• Minimum 1 year working with adolescents in a leadership or mentorship capacity, including educational, residential, camp, coaching, or similar settings

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to engage and connect with high school students and build appropriate relationships

• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to problem-solve both independently and collaboratively

• Maturity and the understanding of appropriate boundaries while working with students

• Willingness to perform tasks as needed

• The ability to maintain composure during stressful situations and respond appropriately to rapidly changing or unexpected circumstances

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Reliability, punctuality, and willingness to follow established procedures and supervisory direction

• Ability to communicate student concerns and incidents clearly, promptly, and professionally

• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in residential life at a boarding school, summer camp, or similar work environment, including college residence halls

• Experience working with English as a Second Language students or international students

• International experience living or working abroad

• General knowledge of New York City

• Experience leading teenage students on excursions or planning student activities

• Proficiency in a second language

Work Environment

• Work is typically performed in a residential dormitory environment with intermittent sitting, standing, or walking in various settings

• Must be comfortable regularly moving throughout residential spaces to supervise students and complete rounds

• Occasionally move items weighing up to 50 pounds

• Travel may be required when chaperoning school trips or residential activities