Dean of Students

Dean of Students Job Description

Civitas exists to prepare graduates who become agents of change. We support schools that are beacons of the community, where everyone belongs, achieves, and serves. Join us

Reports To: Principal/Assistant Principal

Position Summary:

Informed by the school's mission, deans will act to support the mission, vision, and goals of the school, promote campus safety, and contribute to the development of a positive, welcoming climate. Deans are responsible uphold the rules and standards of the Student Code of Conduct and the school, build positive and collaborative relationships with students, staff, parents, and other Civitas stakeholders with transparency and accountability that best ensures student academic and personal growth and achievement and supports the school's need to remain a viable choice for families in Chicago's communities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are generally representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Competencies/Duties:

Under the direction of the administrative team, acts to establish and maintain campus safety and improve school climate.

• Assists students in establishing high standards of conduct;
• Properly addresses the improvement of student attendance and discipline;
• Reports illegal acts to the proper authorities;
• Ensures coverage at all school events at which supervision of students is required;
• Confers with students and parents on security matters;
• Coordinates with outside organizations and agencies;
• Assists in developing and administering practices dealing with campus safety and security;
• Supervises arrival and dismissal;
• Intervenes to address incidents that undermine campus safety and security;
• Advises administration on the best ways to direct the security team;
• Patrols buildings and grounds throughout the day (cafeteria, hallways, external campus, and other assigned or necessary spaces) and during school events. Visible throughout the school day;
• Plans, executes, and documents safety drill training and safety drills for staff and students;
• Other duties, as assigned within the parameters of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Investigates and resolves all discipline problems in a fair and just manner.

• Investigates student complaints and grievances;
• Interviews students and witnesses in disciplinary investigations;
• Investigates, adjudicates, and monitors infractions of the school code, exercising appropriate judgement in determining if restorative approaches or progressive discipline (i.e. detentions, in-school suspension, etc.) is warranted;
• Suspends students from school in accordance with CICS policy and state law;
• Re-enters students upon completion of out-of-school suspensions, facilitates student/teacher re-entry meetings, and provides Peer Mediation to resolve student conflicts;
• Expands use of restorative practices;
• Supports colleagues' use of restorative practices to prevent substantial disciplinary infractions;
• Maintains disciplinary records required by school and network policy;
• Presents the school's case in due process proceedings for suspension and expulsion.
• Produces quarterly disciplinary reports for the administration;
• Produces disciplinary reports for network and agency compliance;
• Participates on the MTSS or RTI team.

Oversees all matters of student attendance.

• Communicates with administrators, parents, teachers, and student services teams on student attendance;
• Informs parents (daily) of student absences;
• Addresses issues of tardiness as part of attendance intervention protocols;
• Understands and applies attendance calculation methods;
• Investigates attendance issues;
• Develops creative and innovative approaches to mitigate incidents of truancy;
• Determines if absences are excusable under school and network policy;
• Advises students and parents on ways to improve attendance;
• Oversees student attendance record to ensure all absences are adjudicated;
• Produces monthly attendance reports for the administrative team, analyzing trends, identifying interventions, and making necessary referrals;
• Tracks interventions to evaluate effectiveness and next steps to mitigate attendance issues;
• Participates on the MTSS or RTI team;
• Compares information or data with other records for verification.

Counsels individual and groups of students and, when necessary, works with the student services team to make appropriate referrals for guidance, counseling, or family support.

• Assists students in establishing high standards of conduct;
• Provides input as needed for student placement and evaluation;
• Participates in IEP meetings when needed;
• Makes referrals to the student services team;
• Advises on modification of interventions to meet individual student needs;
• Meets weekly with counselors and social workers;
• Works with the administrative team to develop proactive disciplinary interventions and practices;
• Initiates actions and practices that reduce disciplinary infractions, suspensions, and expulsions;
• Conducts individual and group support sessions based on school goals and student needs;
• Addresses advisories, classrooms, and grade levels when wide ranging disciplinary matters emerge;
• Develops schoolwide programs aimed at improving student conduct and interactions within the community;
• Assists new students with transitioning to school.

Makes recommendations to the administrative team for appropriate revisions of and assists in the interpretation of programs, policies and procedures affecting students' lives in school.

• Confers with parents, teachers, counselors, student services personnel, and students on matters of discipline and campus safety and security;
• Acts upon own discretion, demonstrating sound judgement, in matters not covered by school and network policy;
• Develops policy recommendations for the administration's consideration.
• Implements and enforces school and network policies;
• Prepares administrative reports.

Provides and maintains appropriate communication with family and community, including law enforcement agencies and the judicial systems.

• Works with community and government agencies on problems relating to illegal acts;
• Works cooperatively with local police agencies, the administration, and security personnel on campus safety and security matters;
• Serves as liaison between school and home;
• Serves as liaison between school and juvenile court;
• Serves as liaison between school and police, developing intricate knowledge of how law enforcement can help and support the school and developing positive relationships with police officers assigned to the school;
• Conducts home visits when needed;
• Represents the school at community meetings.

Reflects, supports, and promotes the mission and vision of the school as well as the principles of D.E.I.

• Demonstrates preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.
• Supports the creation of inclusive, identity-affirming spaces for students.
• Implements professional practice and responsibilities, demonstrating cultural competence.
• Implements D.E.I principles in interactions with all members of the school community.
• Reflects the mission and vision of the school in interactions with students, staff, and families.

Qualifying Education/Licensure:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required)
• Master's Degree (Strongly Preferred)
• Illinois State Board of Education Professional Educators License (PEL 6-12 or 9-12 - Preferred);
• Bilingual Spanish/English; Arabic/English; Urdu/English (Strongly Preferred)

Other Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of teaching experience (Required)
• Experience in urban high school setting (Strongly Preferred)
• Intermediate skills with respect to working with student information databases (ie. PowerSchool), Google Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite (Strongly Preferred)

Knowledge and Experience:

• Substantial knowledge of contemporary best practices with respect to managing student discipline.
• Ability to modify approach as necessary to meet student needs.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with students, parents and/or guardians, staff members, and community representatives.
• Capacity to be flexible, creative, and effective in approaches to problem solving and relationship building.
• Fundamental understanding of human development principles as applied to children and adolescents.
• Solid oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop and deliver clear and purposeful presentations.
• Sound and professional judgment.

Salary and Benefits

Civitas Education Partners provides a highly competitive salary and benefits package. We are also committed to supporting professional growth and membership in local, state and national educational organizations.