Dean of Students--High School

PRIMARY FUNCTION: Collaborates with the administrative team to design and lead student support initiatives that foster a positive school climate, ensuring every student has access to the instructional resources and behavioral guidance needed to thrive academically.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Certification 
2. Required - Professional Educator License (Grade 9 through 12)
3. Required - General Administrative Endorsement  

1. Education:
2. Required � Bachelor's Degree in Education
3. Required � Master's Degree Program in Education, Guidance, and Counseling or   

                   Administration

1. Experience:  
2. Required � Minimum of three (3) years of classroom experience in secondary education
3. Preferred � Prior experience as a Dean of Students in a high school preferred
4. Preferred � Prior experience working at the high school level in an underserved community
5. Preferred � Prior experience with restorative justice practices and de-escalation techniques

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Student Culture & Behavioral Leadership

• Manages the student disciplinary process, including referrals and parent communication, ensuring all actions align with the Illinois School Code and promote a restorative rather than punitive climate.
• Proactively supervises non-classroom areas (hallways, cafeteria, campus) and school-sponsored evening/weekend events to model and enforce high behavioral expectations.
• Serves as a core member of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) teams to develop school-wide structures for student success.

II. Instructional Support & Faculty Partnership

• Consults with faculty to refine classroom management techniques and de-escalation strategies, fostering a stable learning environment.
• Provides dedicated support to 9th-grade teachers, students, and families to ensure a successful transition into high school.
• Partners with staff to design and implement individualized student behavior improvement plans.

Data & Strategic Operations

• Analyzes and reports on monthly trends regarding attendance, absenteeism, and behavioral referrals to inform the school's strategic plan.
• Reviews attendance records to identify truancy patterns; counsels students and families to resolve underlying barriers to consistent attendance.
• Manages operational logistics including bus/transportation concerns, parent/teacher conference scheduling, and the promotion of building-wide activities.

Communication & Representation

• Acts as a primary point of contact for parent concerns and staff inquiries regarding student issues, ensuring timely and professional resolution.
• Provides formal recommendations to the Principal regarding SEL systems and performs other leadership tasks as assigned to support the school's mission.

OTHER PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complete other duties as assigned by the principal.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Clinical & Educational Knowledge

• Deep working knowledge of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), Restorative Justice, and MTSS structures.
• Understanding of the Danielson Framework (or your state's equivalent) to effectively coach teachers in classroom environment, engagement, and professional responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the Illinois School Code regarding student rights, due process, and special education (IEP/504) protections.

Leadership & Operational Skills

• Ability to manage multiple complex "detailed operations" simultaneously�balancing data entry, student crises, and administrative planning without losing accuracy.
• Skill in synthesizing raw data (attendance, discipline, grades) into actionable reports for the Freshman Team and Principal.
• Highly developed skill in de-escalation and mediation to resolve parent complaints and student conflicts with "mutual confidence and respect."

Adaptive & Social Competencies

• Demonstrates high levels of self-confidence, emotional maturity, and "social competency" when handling high-stress disciplinary or family situations.
• The ability to act consistently and use sound judgment when interpreting school policy in "gray area" situations.
• Ability to establish rapport with a diverse student body and faculty, ensuring equity in how discipline and support are applied.

Communication & Coaching

• Proven ability to build working relationships with staff that allow for "courageous conversations" regarding classroom management improvement.
• Excellence in both verbal and written communication, ensuring that staff, students, and parents are always clear on resolutions and expectations.

Technical:    Must be proficient in the use of Google Suite.  Must be knowledgeable in all instructional technology tools as required of staff.

Interpersonal:    Must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff.  Must exhibit sound judgment in dealing with people.  Must have strong organizational skills.  Must be able to make difficult decisions and support others.  Must be able to work harmoniously with students, parents, staff, and administration.

DISTRICT CORE COMPETENCIES:  

1. Achievement focus
2. Cultural competence
3. Classroom environment leadership    
4. Collaborative communicator/team player
5. Reflective learner 
6. Innovative 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Manual Dexterity:     Work requires the ability to execute controlled movements using hand-eye coordination under specific conditions.

Physical Effort: Work required to handle average-weight materials or equipment, but not for sustained periods.

Working Conditions:  The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:    213 days; 

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:  $65,000 - $86,000 annual salary, � board paid TRS, board paid single health and dental insurance, $2,000 per year in tuition reimbursement, 13 sick leave days, and 2 personal days. 

EVALUATION: Annual    

This description has been prepared to assist in properly evaluating various classes of responsibilities, skills, working conditions, etc.  It is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and characteristic levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title.  It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities. Nor is it intended to limit, or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.  Scheduling flexibility is required to accommodate changing school/district needs.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.  

The North Chicago Community Unit School District #187 is an Equal Opportunity Employer with established policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin,  sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, arrest record, military status, the order of protection status, unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States, use of lawful products while not at work, being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, genetic information, physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, credit history unless a satisfactory credit history is an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular position or other legally protected categories.  The Superintendent of Schools/designee (847-689-8150) addresses questions regarding student discrimination, and the Director of Human Resources (847-689-8150) answers questions concerning staff discrimination.