Careers

Nichols Mission:

Our aim is to train minds, bodies and hearts for the work of life, and to carry into all we do the highest ideals of character and service.

Nichols School is committed to attracting and maintaining an outstanding faculty and staff. The Board of Trustees recognizes that the quality of our school is measured by the people who compose it and who support the necessary intellectual, physical and character development for our students.

Simply stated, Nichols seeks a faculty of men and women, who are competent and excited about their teaching field, are committed to a high standard of academic excellence, and who are sensitive and respectful of the needs of young people. The school maintains a well-rounded faculty of diverse background. We expect our faculty to commit to the school’s procedures, philosophy and standards, and serve as worthy role models for its students. Furthermore, Nichols seeks staff members, who are proficient and enthusiastic about their field of expertise, and who are supportive of the needs of the school and its students.

Current Faculty Openings

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  • Learning Specialist

    Nichols School is seeking a dedicated and experienced Learning Specialist to join our dynamic team beginning with the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
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  • Middle School Dean of Students

    Nichols School is seeking a dedicated and experienced Middle School Dean of Students to join our
    dynamic team beginning with the upcoming 2024‐2025 school year.
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  • Upper School Math Department Chair

    Nichols School is seeking a dynamic and experienced full-time Mathematics Department Chair to lead our mathematics faculty and contribute to the continued success and growth of our mathematics department beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
    Read More

Current Staff Openings

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  • Director of Advancement Services

    Nichols School is seeking a Director of Advancement Services to join our team and help us manage our fundraising raising efforts effectively.  Our work is supported by a passionate community of donors and advocates who believe in our mission.
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  • Director of Family Engagement and Philanthropy

    Nichols School is seeking a highly motivated, dedicated and energetic person to join our Advancement Team in the full-time role of Director of Family Engagement and Philanthropy.
    Read More

Current Coach Openings

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Current Facilities Openings

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Learn More

List of 7 items.

  • Appointment, Reappointment and Advancement

    The selection, appointment, retention and remuneration of the faculty is primarily the responsibility of the Head of School. All faculty appointments are for one year only; there is no tenure in the public school sense. Nichols has the same expectations regarding performance whether this is your first day on the job or you have been loyal to us for over 35 years. Therefore, we do not have a probationary period for employees. Nichols is committed to the professional growth and job satisfaction of the faculty and will provide every encouragement and help to create an optimum atmosphere in which to teach. Ongoing professional evaluation is a vital part of the Nichols teaching experience. All faculty appointment decisions are made by the Head of School on the basis of his knowledge, the recommendation of the Division Head and Department Chairman, and the faculty member’s own assessment.
  • Duties and Responsibilities

    Full-time teaching at Nichols encompasses a number of major areas of responsibility.
     
    1. Instruction: Teachers in Upper School English, Arts, History and Lab Science generally have four sections. As a rule, two to three preparations are required. Teachers are expected to be available to students throughout the school day, 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
     
    2. Extracurricular Duties: Typically, these include two major assignments – either administrative or guidance in nature, coaching, club/activity advisor, or directing student publications and productions. Further, there are additional duties of a minor and limited nature such as proctoring study halls, late duty and monitoring lunch tables. In making such assignments, the schedule, talents and interests of the faculty member will be taken into account in order to be fair and equitable, as well as meet the needs of the School.
     
    3. Advisors: Faculty members are expected to be advisors to a group of students, assisting the class Deans in helping and caring for the concerns of Nichols students. In addition, faculty must be available for parent nights and conferences, attend periodic faculty and department meetings, serve on faculty and Trustee committees, and participate in School events.
  • Compensation

    Nichols seeks to provide its faculty and staff with a competitive salary/benefit program in which the median salary is in line with other co-ed independent day schools in the country.
  • Benefits

    Benefits
    Over the years, the administration and Trustees have increased benefits offered to employees and they now amount, in dollar value, to approximately 20% of the cash salary for a typical full-time employees. These include:
     
    1. TIAA/CREF Retirement Program: Nichols contributes 2-5 percent of the employee’s base salary if matched by the employee’s 2-5 percent. After 10 years, a 6% match is offered, as long as the employee contributes 2%. Plan rules apply.
     
    2. Medical Insurance: Three health plan options are offered to all qualified employees.
     
    3. Group Term Life Insurance: 2 times salary – 0-5 years; 2 1/2 times salary – 5-10 years; 3 time salary – over 10 years. Maximum benefit is capped at $100,000. Nichols pays the life insurance premium.
     
    4. Voluntary Life Insurance: Life insurance is available for purchase, over and above what is provided by the School.
     
    5. Dental Insurance: Dental insurance is available for purchase.
     
    6. Wage Continuation:
    Short-Term Disability and Workers Comp: Nichols continues normal wages for all full time qualified employees during a qualified disability or workers comp claim of up to six months or 180 days, according to the following schedule: 100% for the first 60 days; 80% for the next 60 days; 70% for the last 60 days.
    Long-Term Disability: Nichols pays for long-term disability insurance for qualified employees which provides over six months of benefits, which provides replacement income up to 60% of salary.
     
    7. Tuition Remission: After one year, tuition remission is available to full-time employees at an 79% level.
  • Professional Development

    1. Professional Growth Grants: Faculty may apply for grants and stipends to be used for study, travel, conferences or enrichment opportunities related to their professional development. Faculty members at Nichols are encouraged to take advantage of this benefit. There is a fund available for summer enrichment of the faculty as well.
     
    2. Lunch: The School provides lunch to the faculty and staff.
     
    3. Computer: The School provides computers to full time employees. After one year of service, the School provides up to $2,000 in an interest-free loan for employees to purchase personal computers and computer equipment, such as a printer.
  • Selection

    Faculty members are appointed after a careful review of their academic and professional background and an evaluation of their personal commitment on the basis of interviews with members of the faculty and staff. Nichols is an inclusive community and does not discriminate on any basis.
  • Contact Us

    Sarah Jacobson
    Head of Upper School
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216
    716-332-6300
    Fax: 716-875-2169
     
    Greg Plumb '96
    Interim Head of Middle School
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216
    716-332-5100
    Fax: 716-877-1090
     
    Jennifer Clarey
    Director of Human Resources
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216
    716-332-6308
    Fax: 716-332-6310

Fast Facts

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  • 1892

    Founding Year
  • 14

    Average Class Size
  • 8:1

    Student Teacher Ratio
  • 50/50

    Boy-Girl Ratio
  • 40+

    Student-Led Clubs
  • 20+

    Championship-Winning Athletic Teams
  • 6

    Robotics Teams
  • 35+

    Community Service Opportunities
  • 24

    AP Classes
  • 30

    Acres of Campus
  • 85%

    Nichols seniors admitted to "highly competitive" colleges
  • 560

    Average Enrollment
  • 65

    Faculty Members Pursued Professional Development Opportunities
  • $30m

    Endowment

Nichols Core Values

List of 5 items.

  • Pursuit of Excellence

    At Nichols, inspired teachers and students are committed to a quality standard of learning and achievement in all aspects of school life.
  • Integrity of Character

    Our community strives to cultivate each student's sense of responsibility, compassion, honesty, and self-discipline, producing confident and ethical young people.
  • Tradition and Change

    Grounded in the wisdom of the past, we stimulate adaptive and innovative abilities to prepare our students for the future.
  • Rigor and Balance

    Our challenging expectations and structured environment bring out potential. Each student is encouraged to find the balance among academic, artistic, athletic and extra-curricular involvements.
  • Diverse Community

    Nichols School reflects the region's neighborhoods and the wider world, building mutual respect and understanding. In our daily school life, we strive to be a caring community for each individual.

About Us

Nichols School is a nationally recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 130-year history.