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At the Harley School

Located in Brighton NY, and founded in 1917, Harley enrolls approximately 500 students in Nursery through Grade 12. Our rigorous academic programs and exceptional fine arts curriculum are combined with unique offerings (hospice, glass studio, biomimicry), a commitment to experiential service learning, a deep commitment to the centrality of the student voice, and a nurturing environment for young people. The School is committed to diversity and the education of students in a global perspective.

For most positions, resumes are reviewed until the successful candidate is found. Due to the volume of applications, we regret that we will not acknowledge receipt of every application. Only candidates of interest are contacted.

The Harley School is an Equal Opportunity employer and welcomes candidates who add to our diversity.

The following employment opportunities are available at The Harley School:

Head of Upper School

The Harley School seeks a Head of Upper School to begin July 1, 2023. Founded in 1917, Harley is a secular independent school in Rochester, New York, offering a college preparatory program for 520 students, Nursery through Grade 12, about 150 of whom are in the Upper School. Rooted in the progressive tradition, Harley is a diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking community. The Upper School program includes rigorous college preparation, extraordinary programs in the arts, many unique offerings (Hospice, Glass Studio, Food & Farm, Rights & Responsibilities, and more), and a new curriculum for the climate crisis, developed with the help of an Edward E. Ford Foundation grant. 

The Head of Upper School is responsible for the entire Upper School program and is a member of the school’s Administrative Team. The successful candidate will be an educator who thinks both practically and philosophically about what it means to be an educated person, and what sort of teaching and programs cultivate such qualities in a young person.  

We welcome candidates who may add to our diversity. 

To apply, one should submit the following to jobs@harleyschool.org and include “Head of Upper School” in the subject line:

  • A cover letter outlining your interest in the position, which should include how you would help Harley live the first line of our mission: “We are a diverse, inclusive school.” 
  • A resume or c.v., including contact information for three references
  • Optional: any other documents from your experience that you think represent you in an authentic way

– – –

Position Description

Again, the Head of Upper School is responsible for the entire Upper School program, has supervisory responsibility for all Upper School staff and faculty, and is a member of the school’s Administrative Team. In addition to other roles that might be assigned as needed by the Head of School, the primary duties and responsibilities of the Head of Upper School will include all of the following: 

  • Serve as the educational leader of the Upper School; develop and maintain a culture and educational program that bolsters a dynamic learning environment and deepens the sense of belonging for each member of the learning community.
  • Ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day life of the division, including communication with families, students, teachers, advisors, and staff.
  • Conduct regular meetings with faculty which deal with both routine school matters and the exchange of ideas on issues of educational interest and concern.
  • Oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the division; assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs; assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events.
  • Be a visible presence in all areas of the school, work toward a resolution of all problems — both routine and unique — as they arise, and keep the Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and problems of the school.
  • Collaborate with the Upper School’s Department Chairs, to create an engaging, forward thinking, and comprehensive learning environment.
  • Participate in the strategic planning and leadership of Harley as a member of the Administration Team.
  • Advance the School’s commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as to education for a sustainable future. 
  • Develop and nurture positive relationships and communication with students, colleagues, and parents/guardians.
  • Support the performance and professional growth of Upper School colleagues through on-going mentoring, evaluation and professional development opportunities.
  • Supervise the instructional programs of the School to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on learning, growth and development.
  • Collaborate with the Upper School counselors and advisors to foster and maintain the academic success and the social and emotional health of Upper School students.
  • Take primary responsibility for hiring for the division, working with the Head of School, Chief Financial Officer, and Department Chairs.
  • Coordinate efforts with the admission and communication departments to recruit, admit and retain Upper School students.
  • Partner with the academic leadership team to develop and implement school-wide curricular initiatives.
  • Administer the annual Upper School budget.

    Lighting and Sound Designer

    The Middle and Upper School drama programs are looking for a lighting and sound designer for their upcoming March 2023 spring musicals.  The Upper School musical is March 9-11, 2023 followed by the Middle School musical March 24-25, 2023.

    Duties and Responsibilities

    For these shows we are looking for someone that can provide all the services listed below with delegation of some tasks to a student crew under their supervision. Candidate must have experience working within a school environment and be qualified to work with student crews.  

    Lighting Designer – work with directors to design lights within the limitations of the theater facility. This includes direction of the Master Electrician on how to execute the plan, choose gel colors, and responsibility for cue-to-cue direction.

    Master Electrician – Following direction from the lighting designer, master electrician focuses and gels existing lights and installs any supplemental lights and/or cables. This role frequently includes console programming for cue-to-cue and coordination of student equipment operators.  They are responsible for end of show equipment put-away, including: removing tape and labels from all cables and packs, proper disposal of old tape, putting console(s) back in booth and laptop(s) away, striking and properly stowing all cables, adapters, and accessories, and pickup and return of any rented equipment.

    Sound Designer – work with directors to design sound, collect SFX, coordinate wireless microphone allocation, and determine design/location for wired microphones. 

    Sound Operator/Sound Technician – Following direction from the Sound Designer, will program sound console, wire and configure all microphones, and teach students how to wear/maintain microphones. Setup comms and program any laptops for SFX playback.  Coordination/supervision of student sound operators.  Responsible for end of show equipment put-away, including: mic disinfecting/cleaning, removing tape and labels from all cables and packs, proper disposal of used batteries and old tape, putting console(s) back in booth and laptop(s) away, striking and properly stowing all cables, adapters, comms, and accessories, and pickup and return of any rented equipment

    TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@harleyschool.org.

      Executive Assistant to the Head of School

      Principal Responsibilities: 

      • Represent the Head confidentially and discreetly to parents, faculty and staff, trustees, and external constituencies through written, telephone, electronic, and in-person contact; serve as ambassador for Harley. 
      • Manage Head’s Office and support Head — arrange meetings and appointments in a fast-paced environment; answer phones/screen calls/respond to email; edit large, school-wide reports; proof correspondence; arrange travel; maintain files and school records; organize hospitality for meetings, update designated web pages. 
      • Board of Trustees Liaison: including preparing and distributing meeting materials, attending meetings, recording minutes, and maintaining corporate records. Organize and staff New Trustee Orientation, Board Retreat, and Board Social. Provide support for initiatives as requested. Support the Governance Committee of the Board. Organize all aspects of the Annual Business Meeting in May. Maintain records including School Bylaws and Policies. 
      • Initiate and manage the creation and publication of the annual School Calendar. Take the lead on other school-wide publications, including annual Back to School document upload (August) and major community letters. 
      • Model collaborative problem solving and support in coordination with other departments. Organize and staff school events including (but not limited to) New Faculty/Staff Orientation, Opening Faculty/Staff meeting, Welcome Back Social, Opening Day Assembly, Professional Days, Thanksgiving Assembly, Holiday Party, year-end Faculty-Staff Celebration, all-school faculty/staff meetings. 
      • Support the School and Business Office in recruitment, hiring, and creation and distribution of employee assignment sheets. 
      • Coordinate employee recognition program (length of service awards presented annually in September and thank you gifts to departing employees in June). 
      • Collaborate with Safety Coordinator to produce and distribute updates to Crisis Plan/School Safety Documents, including Emergency Closing Procedures; serve as member of Crisis Response Team. 
      • Support administrative team and high-level initiatives as needed, including:
        • Decennial Re-Accreditation and Five-Year Review. Support writing and editing of Self-Study, organize all aspects of the Visiting Committee visit to the School.
        • Administrator searches
        • Strategic Planning
        • Fundraising campaign activity 

      Qualifications: 

      • Human relations role model: pleasant, positive, tactful, resourceful; able to work behind-the-scenes and stay a step or two ahead of emerging situations; detail-oriented and persistent.
      • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interpersonal relations as well as print and multi-media publications. Precise with grammar and usage. 
      • Comfort, proficiency, and adaptability vis-a-vis technology; proficiency with the Google Suite (Calendar, Slides, Sheets, Docs) and MS Office analogs. 

      To Apply: 

      In the interest of promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce, The Harley School welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Our School’s mission statement begins, “We are a diverse, inclusive school.” Along with a cover letter and résumé, we ask that you provide a personal statement explaining how you see yourself promoting diversity and inclusivity if you join the Harley community. Please reply to jobs@harleyschool.org with your resume, letter of interest, diversity statement, and reference names with contact information.

        Nursery Teacher

        The Harley School is seeking applications from qualified persons for an early childhood teaching position in the Lower School starting mid-January 2023.  The position involves team-teaching in the Nursery program. The Nursery teacher will work closely with a co-teacher, the Lower School division head, the faculty, and parents. 

        Qualifications for the Nursery teacher position:   

        • A warm, caring individual who has demonstrated a specific interest in teaching young children through previous experience with this age group (3, 4 and 5-year olds).
        • Minimum of a BA, preferably in education, ideally with a concentration in early childhood or early childhood special education.

        •  Understanding of early childhood development (socio-emotional, physical, cognitive) and a commitment to play-based pedagogy.

        • Enthusiastic about collaborative learning; creative and innovative when working with diverse learners and faculty.

        • Excellent written and oral communication skills
        • 3+ years of teaching experience
        • Commitment to a responsive and community-centered classroom


        To Apply:

        In the interest of promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce, The Harley School welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.  Our School’s mission statement begins, “We are a diverse, inclusive school.”  Along with a cover letter and résumé, we ask that you provide a personal statement on how you see yourself promoting diversity and inclusivity if you join the Harley community. 

        Interested candidates should submit their materials to jobs-ls@harleyschool.org. The position will remain open until filled.

          Extended Day/Vacation Camp Childcare Worker

          The Harley School seeks a Childcare worker in the Extended Day/Vacation Camp program. Extended Day is part-time Monday – Friday, 2:50- 6:00 p.m. Vacation camp hours are usually during school holidays and maybe in addition to regular Extended Day hours.

          Qualifications:

          • Over 18.
          • Experience working with children 3 yrs. – 11 yrs.
          • Dependability, communication skills, and an excellent work ethic.
          • Ability to accept guidance and supervision.
          • Current CPR and First Aid certifications are preferred but not required.
          • Must pass a criminal background check.
          • Creates a safe, friendly environment in the childcare area with quality supervision, focused attention, and caring service for the parents and their children.
          • Ensures registration and check-in/check-out procedures are followed.
          • Responds to each individual child’s needs promptly.
          • Supervises the use of toys and supplies and notifies the supervisor of supply needs, repairs, or replacements.
          • Maintains a clean, orderly area, picking up as needed and sanitizing toys as instructed.
          • Promotes a respectful community among the children, resolving conflict through appropriate words and actions.
          • Notifies supervisor of issues relating to each child (e.g. illness, crying, and conflict).
          • Promotes the health of all children by notifying the supervisor when child(ren) are ill and by being responsive to known health conditions such as allergies and asthma.
          • Exhibits good listening skills when conflict or discipline issues arise and problem solves professionally. Defers to the supervisor if issues need further resolution.
          • Reports any accidents or injuries immediately.

          To Apply:

          In the interest of promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce, The Harley School welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.  Our School’s mission statement begins, “We are a diverse, inclusive school.”  Along with a cover letter and résumé, we ask that you provide a personal statement on how you see yourself promoting diversity and inclusivity if you join the Harley community. 

          Please send all inquiries and/or resumes to jobs-ls@harleyschool.org.

            Upper School Physics Teacher

            The Harley School seeks a full-time Physics teacher for the 2023-24 school year. This is a full time faculty position, including teaching all sections of Physics (from general through AP), advising students,  directing independent student research, leading students in activities, and more.  

            Harley School is a college-preparatory, PK – 12 school located in Brighton, New York. There are about 150 students in the Upper School; average class size is roughly 12. Teachers value working at  Harley for the strong academic culture, curricular independence, excellent students, and stimulating colleagues. In addition, with the Commons—our “barn” devoted to education for a sustainable future—opportunities abound for  development of science curricula geared to principles of sustainable development. 

            Candidates should have an advanced degree in the sciences and/or education, strong  preparation for teaching Physics, and enthusiasm for working with teenagers. Ability to teach computer science or mathematics classes is a plus. Candidates  should send the following to  jobs@harleyschool.org:

            • Letter of interest
            • Resume or c.v. 
            • Statement addressing this question: How do you envision supporting Harley in its mission to be a diverse, inclusive school?

            All Divisions – Instructional Substitutes

            The Harley School is seeking substitute teachers to provide per diem instructional services in various subject areas for its Lower, Middle and Upper School Divisions (Nursery (age 3) through Grade 12). Bachelors degree required. New York State teacher certification preferred, but not required. Candidates must be punctual and dependable; demonstrate professional demeanor; possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills; and the ability to interact effectively with faculty and students.

            To apply, submit the following to jobs@harleyschool.org:

            • Cover letter indicating the grade levels and subject areas in which you prefer to work
            • Resume
            • At least one reference letter
            • Proof of completion of Bachelor’s degree (transcript or the degree certificate itself)
            • If applicable, New York State teaching certificate or valid certification from another state
            • Equal Employment Opportunity

            The Harley School is an equal opportunity employer, and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, disability, medical condition, U.S. Military or veteran status in recruiting, hiring, training and promoting. All other aspects of employment such as compensation, benefits, terminations, training, tuition assistance, etc., shall continue to be administered so as to reflect the above policy.

            The Harley School

            1981 Clover Street
            Rochester, NY 14618
            (585) 442-1770

            ©2023 The Harley School

            Students may create independent studies with supervising teachers throughout their Upper School experience or, during Grade 12, they can design Capstone projects—intensive collaborations with Harley faculty and off-campus mentors—involving rigorous academic study and culminating in public presentations. They are empowered to create their own curriculum, set goals, and work on time management skills in order to accomplish their objectives.

            Independent Studies run the gamut from The Psychology of Sports to Furniture Design to The Neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s Disease. Capstones, meanwhile, are as diverse as the students who pursue them: Fictional Rochester, Autobiographical Art, Biomimicry Education, Organic Fuel, and Rochester Refugees. 

            Indicative of Upper School curiosity and creativity, pursuits such as these distinguish our graduates in college. Through deep dives of this sort, Harley students master more than speaking, writing, and computing: they learn to communicate, advocate, collaborate, organize, listen, and empathize. 

            About

            Academics

            Key Programming

            Enrollment

            Letter from the Head of School

            Letter from the Editor

            Features

            Central Work that Matters: DEI

            Harley Black Alumni Network

            Climate Crisis Curriculum

            Citizen Scientists

            Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

            In Every Issue

            Class Notes

            Diane Donniger Award

            By the Numbers

            From the Archives

            What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

            Divisional Highlights

            Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

            Alumni Profiles: Keller

            HAC Athletics

            2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

            1000 Words

            Commencement 2022

            Reunion 2022

            In Memoriam

            Retirements and Fond Farewells

            Letter from the Head of School

            Letter from the Editor

            Features

            Central Work that Matters

            Affinity Group Forms

            Climate Crisis Curriculum

            Citizen Scientists

            Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

            In Every Issue

            Class Notes

            Diane Donniger Award

            By the Numbers

            From the Archives

            What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

            Divisional Highlights

            Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

            Alumni Profiles: Keller

            HAC Athletics

            2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

            1000 Words

            Commencement 2022

            Reunion 2022

            In Memoriam

            Retirements and Fond Farewells