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Admissions & Outreach Director for The Woolman Semester School

Admissions & Outreach Director

This position coordinates student recruitment for the Woolman Semester School. The heart of this position is to communicate the story of this learning experience to prospective students, parents, teachers, alumni and other educators. The work itself is very dynamic and can, at times, feel part marketing, part social work, part therapist, and part community organizing. A major highlight of this work is walking between the two worlds of a progressive educational community and the larger progressive education movement in the US and beyond.

High school education is transforming and Woolman sees itself as a critical part of that transformation. During a semester at Woolman, our students explore individual and community empowerment through a variety of topics and learning experiences that address social justice and sustainability. Students from diverse educational backgrounds attend Woolman – traditional public high schools, charter schools, Waldorf / Quaker / Montessori schools, students who are homeschooled or unschooled – and together with the staff and interns, they create a rich learning community for 16 weeks.

Specific responsibilities for this position include:

  • Communicating with students and parents throughout the application process
  • Creating and implementing an outreach plan
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with sending schools and other influencers
  • Contact management for schools and prospective students
  • Coordinating outreach travel
  • Interviewing applicants
  • Processing applications and financial aid

In addition to these responsibilities, the Admissions & Outreach Director is an integral member of the school’s Leadership Team, working closely with the Head of School, Program Coordinator, and other Woolman Faculty. This team will often work collaboratively with each other on outreach efforts. When on campus, they are expected to join other staff in making a full commitment to Woolman's community life. This includes participation in Quaker meeting, community meeting, chores, meal preparation, and other community support.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience
  • Experience in educational admissions and enrollment
  • Excellent communication, time management, delegation, and organization skills
  • Experience in community organizing, campaigns, and/or event planning
  • Strong public speaking skills
  • Highly proficient in use of office technology
  • Ability to plan and implement outreach trips throughout the US
  • A network of connections with educational institutions and organizations
  • Comfortable working with large groups of kids and adults
  • Strong desire to live and work in a community setting
  • Passionate about progressive education
  • Familiarity with semester schools
  • Experience working with high school age students and recent college graduates from diverse backgrounds
  • Willingness to participate in staff and community meetings in the style of Quaker 
  • consensus decision-making
  • Willingness to practice NVC and Restorative Justice
  • Willingness and desire to participate in anti-oppression work within the community, and continue learning and training in those areas
  • Interest in living in community and participating in community activities
  • A fun, positive and encouraging disposition

About Woolman

Woolman is a nonprofit educational community located on 230 acres in the Sierra Nevada Foothills dedicated to the principles of peace, justice and sustainability. Originally founded in 1963 as a Quaker high school, Woolman now offers educational programs for teens, retreats for adults, and summer camps for children and families including The Woolman Semester; a 4-month residential education program in northern California for passionate young people who want to make a difference in the world. Woolman is an equal opportunity employer. www.woolman.org.

Salary and Benefits

This position will start between February 15th and March 1st, 2016, and receive an annual salary of $25,000. Health benefits are available. Room & Board on campus are discounted 60% and end up being around $5,000/year renting a space on the Woolman campus and eating lunches and dinners in the Woolman dining hall. To apply, please send a letter of interest, current resume, and three references to: Gray Horwitz, Head of School, grayh@woolman.org