Associate Dean of Students

Richmond, CA

Full Time

School-Wide (Leadership & Staff)

Mid Level

Job Description

Title: Associate Dean of Students

Division: School-Wide (Middle School Focus)

Reports to: Director of Student Support

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt (Year-Round), CalSTRS Retirement Eligible

Salary Range: $34.62-$39.43 plus $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance & MWA Benefits

Summary

The Associate Dean of Students, under the primary direction of the middle school Dean of Students (but also from the upper school Dean of Students and the Director of Student Support) is responsible for forming relationships with students and families in the MWA community to support alignment with the MWA mission, codes of conduct, and student behavior expectations. This person will advise and take the lead on the following:

Conducting investigations related to reports and referrals (mostly related to Level 3 and Level 4 infractions) and applying consequences as detailed in the Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook.
Being a presence in various spaces and times of the day, such as passing periods, breaks, and lunchtime, as well as periodic and regular presence in hallways and collaborative learning spaces.
Conducting student check-ins and leading restorative practice meetings with individuals, small groups, and whole classes.
Make referrals to student services related to behaviors of concerns or patterns of behavior to request a student assessment for possible additional supports or services that would better enable the student to access their educational opportunities.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Student Conduct, Discipline, & Supervision

Under the direction of the middle school Dean, identify and address students whose patterns of repeated behavior suggest potential danger to the school community in their inability to adhere to school policies and procedures or who could pose a potential danger to others.
Follow up on and investigate referrals and reports involving student conduct that entails interviewing students and staff, collecting written statements, conferring with the middle school dean and school leadership (or Principal/CEO), and recommending consequences as outlined in the Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook.
Follow up with students and staff who were impacted by incidents (particularly Level 3 and 4 infractions – e.g. violence, hate speech, and bullying) by conducting post-incident debriefs to learn how they are doing now, did/do they feel supported and what else might we do to support them.
Record and document all suspensions and log them into PowerSchool, recording all pertinent and required fields of information, and being sure that the incidents (based on the suspension form and Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook) are all properly noted in the suspension forms and PowerSchool.
Assist with arrival, dismissal, lunch, and transition periods.

Restorative Practices

Proactively develop relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff to build trust and open lines of communication and support.
Guide students in conflict resolution and problem-solving. Lead various restorative-based meetings, including 1:1, small group, and classroom-wide meetings and some student/staff check-ins and follow-ups.
Keep and manage excellent records of restorative practice (documents and system entries/notes) sessions conducted by faculty, staff, and deans. Share out high-level themes of the kinds of incidents resulting in a restorative practice session and a summary of any other key takeaways learned in the various sessions on a monthly or quarterly basis, e.g., # of sessions by division and/or grade level, top 2-3 themes of the incidents, and key learnings from the RP meetings.

Administrative Duties

Meet regularly with members of the student support services team to discuss any current or emergent issues for specific students to inform an approach towards.
With the Deans and Assistant Principals, monitor and report out progress against WASC/LCAP goals throughout the school year. Help compile, analyze, and respond to data such as student attendance, disciplinary data, and academic data to ensure students meet MWA expectations for success.
With the Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook and restorative practices system as guides, respond to student-related incidents, investigations, and issues with transparent, appropriate, and timely responses, actions, and recommendations.
Communicate regularly with families regarding student behavior and support. Promptly communicate all issues concerning student welfare and well-being and ensure responses or actions are appropriate and legally compliant. Appropriately communicate and document all student referrals and suspensions to parents/guardians.
Document behavioral incidents, interventions, and meetings in PowerSchool and Kickboard.
Manage special projects as assigned.

Mission Alignment

Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and supporting student events, student clubs, and club advisors.

Work Environment

This job operates in an indoor and outdoor school environment and routinely uses standard office/school equipment.
Light/local travel may be required on occasion.

Physical Demands

The employee may be required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time; lift and carry materials up to 30lbs.; reach overhead/bend; push/pull. Must possess the ability to use hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, etc.; must have the ability to view written materials, computer screens, and observe activities, ensuring students' safety; must hear and communicate clearly to interact with others. The employee should be able to move throughout the campus to effectively interact with students and staff.
The employee may be required to participate in campus supervision duty each week.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years experience working with students, between the ages of 10-19 and families from historically underserved communities. Experience working in a school setting, especially in roles that involve managing student behavior, applying disciplinary consequences, and conducting investigations related to incidents or infractions.
In-depth understanding of student behavior management techniques and crisis strategies. Understanding of California Education Code as it relates to student behavior and conduct.
Knowledge and understanding of Restorative Justice and Positive Interventions and Services frameworks and philosophies. Experience leading restorative meetings for both individuals and groups, conducting student check-ins and supporting student growth, and promoting a positive school culture

Skills and Abilities

Passion for MWA’s mission and demonstrated commitment to supporting first-generation students and/or children and families from historically underserved communities.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with students, families, and staff. This includes both written and verbal communication, as well as transparent and empathetic communication regarding sensitive issues.
Ability to build relationships with students and their families. High degree of demonstrated cultural competency with the ability to lean into difficult conversations. Fosters an environment and culture which promotes respect, responsibility, and trust.
Skilled in resolving conflicts and managing sensitive situations. Ability to demonstrate empathy and cultural sensitivity in interactions with students, families, and staff, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all while upholding and reinforcing school policies and procedures.
Ability to make timely, informed, and appropriate decisions related to student incidents and welfare, balancing urgency with legal and ethical considerations.
Highly organized, goal-oriented, and focused on outcomes. Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with limited supervision. Ability to meet deadlines on a tight schedule.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
Comfortable learning and using the digital tools MWA uses: PowerSchool, Canvas, Blackboard, etc.) to accurately document incidents, interventions, and meetings in the required systems, ensuring records are compliant and up-to-date, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
Uses data to inform support pathways for students, parents, and staff through inter-departmental collaborations and Professional Development offerings.
Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude.

Licenses or Certificates

Employment eligibility will include fingerprints/Live Scan, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and other employment clearance.
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Certificate of Clearance (COC) required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodation
Consistent with its obligations under the law, MWA will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Is Our Policy

Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their perceived or identified: race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, including but not limited to braids, locks, and twists); color; gender, (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); marital/registered domestic partner status; age (forty (40) and over); national origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking laws; genetic information; sexual orientation; military and veteran status; or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees. For a full copy of our non-discrimination policy, visit: https://bit.ly/mwapublicnotices

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Associate Dean of Students

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