ST ANNE’S COLLEGE
OXFORD
JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Dean
The College
St Anne’s is a modern, informal, academically ambitious College and is one of the largest in the University. It is known for its domestic setting and the diversity of its student body. It is an energetic and friendly co-educational community of some 730 students plus tutors and staff.
St Anne’s has a radical tradition. It can trace its origins back to 1879, and the formation of the Association for the Education of Women in Oxford. It became a College in 1952 and first admitted men in 1979. The College has always set its face outwards towards the world, driven by its commitment to making accessible the opportunities of an Oxford education to those of academic potential who otherwise might not encounter them. The College has over 446 undergraduate students and, in recent years, has built up its graduate community to around 308. It has a small endowment, and relies on its successful vacation conference business and upon the generosity of its large and committed alumnae base to secure its financial stability. For further information about the College, please visit http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk
For further information about the College, please visit: www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk
Assistant Deans
The College has three Assistant Deans who share the duties outlined below. The three Assistant Deans support the Dean (who has overall responsibility for the maintenance of good order among junior members), by assisting in the day-to-day implementation of disciplinary duties. They also support the Senior Tutor (who has overall responsibility for the welfare of junior and graduate members as part of the College’s welfare team), and the Dean of Welfare, by assisting with pastoral duties.
The Assistant Deans report both to the Dean (who is their line manager) and the Senior Tutor. In force majeure situations the College has an Emergency and Disaster Recovery Plan which includes the Assistant Deans.
The duties of the Assistant Deans include the following tasks:
The Assistant Deans, being required to live on site, are very much ‘front-line' members of staff who need to be observant and vigilant concerning the infringement of college regulations by junior members and take action as needed. Assistant Deans should aim to maintain an atmosphere conducive to study within College by putting a stop to loud parties, dealing with noise from patrons leaving the College bar, and handling other complaints about excessive noise or infringements of the ‘no noise’ policy between midnight and 8.00 am. Assistance can be provided by the Porters’ Lodge. The Assistant Deans should be perceived as being firm but fair in the execution of their disciplinary duties.
Be available to provide practical and informed advice to undergraduate and postgraduate students regarding welfare matters. Assistant Deans should be seen as being approachable and to this end, Assistant Deans are expected to attend social events in College occasionally. It is also important that each Assistant Dean dines in College regularly in order to be known to the Tutors and to be able to discuss student pastoral matters
To invigilate at termly College Collections in Week 0 (four sessions): assist with organizing the Collection envelopes prior to Collections, setting up rooms and equipment on the day, invigilation, overseeing the work of the other invigilators, overseeing the distribution of papers, preventing behavior that contravenes College regulations, collecting the papers and distributing them to the tutors responsible for marking them.
To be prepared to deal with emergencies, when on call or available, and to accompany students to the hospital, if necessary; a firstaid qualification is required (training will be given). Assistance will be provided by the Porters’ Lodge.
To attend and help supervise any College Bops, and to be aware of and be present in College for other major student events (for example rugby and boat-club dinners, bands in the bar) including two Assistant Deans at Formal Hall and one at Charity Halls.
Contribute to the deanery and welfare information sessions provided to all fresher undergraduate and postgraduate students at the start of Michaelmas term. Offer at least one fixed ‘welfare session’ per week during Term Time (approximately two hours each week), manned by one of the Assistant Deans in rotation and participate in advice sessions that occur through the academic year as required.
Be available to attend a Dean's meeting (typically one hour per week during term), the Domestic Forum and Welfare meetings (usually once a term each), as well as any meetings to consult with the Dean or Dean of Welfare, or between the Dean and students as necessary. Assist the Dean and Welfare Dean with any paperwork and record keeping related to student issues and Welfare meetings.
To liaise with the Dean on matters of discipline. All non-trivial infringements should be reported to the Dean. It is the Dean's responsibility to impose any punishment that may be appropriate. Liaise with the Senior Tutor in cases involving serious issues of academic ability to pursue or continue on course.
To liaise closely with the Dean, Dean of Welfare, the Porter’s Lodge, the wardens of Robert Saunders House, College Nurse, Doctor, Domestic Bursar, Senior Tutor, Academic Registrar, the Disability Coordinator and the Student Harassment Advisers, on matters regarding discipline or welfare, as appropriate. Ensure that any concerns about developments in a particular case are brought to the attention of the relevant individuals.
Undergo training as advised (this may include courses on understanding mental health issues or basic counselling or listening skills, though it is not expected that the postholder would provide counselling, but rather signpost students to sources of help).
A rota will be organized at the start of each term, with one AD on first call, and another on 2nd call, each evening from 7pm to 8am. The Assistant Deans are expected to be on College site when on-call and close to College (within 10 minutes) if on 2nd call. In force majeure cases the Dean and any of the Assistant Deans, even if they are not on-call, may be contacted and will be required to attend.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate is expected to have experience of dealing with students or young people from a position of responsibility, to have good communication skills and to be able to make sensible decisions in sensitive/difficult situations. Experience with the workings of a College or University, and training in counselling is also desirable.
Training
First aid training will be provided upon commencement, as giving emergency first aid is a key part of this role. Fire safety training will be provided.
Terms and Conditions
Appointment: The post is available from 1st September 2017 – 31st August 2018. There may be potential to renew the post for further years.
Stipend: £3,150 per annum pro rata.
Hours: Average of 5 hours per week for the contract period. Flexibility of hours, including evening and weekend work, is essential. The roster for term time cover starts from Friday of -1st week, finishing the end of 9th week (Saturday) in Michaelmas Term, and Sunday of 0th to Saturday of 9th weeks inclusive in Hilary and Trinity Terms. Some contact with a small Visiting Student cohort of about 10 students which arrives in early September is also expected.
Training: The post holder will attend compulsory training for first aid.
Benefits: Spacious single room accommodation will be provided free of charge for the duration of the contract period, (i.e. ideally from 1 September to 31 August of the following year). Seven breakfasts, five lunches and two dinners per week, in term time and two lunches per week in vacation will also be provided free of charge when the kitchen/hall is open.
Application Process
Applications should be sent to
The closing date for applications is Monday 29th May at 12.00 noon.
Applications should include a full CV, a letter of motivation and a completed application form. Two referees should be asked to send separate letters of reference to arrive by the same date. Please see the job section of the College website: http://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/about/job-opportunities to download an application form.
St Anne’s College is an equal opportunities employer.