Dean of Students

Richmond, CA

Full Time

Student Support Services

Mid Level

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 | CalSTRS Retirement Eligible | Exempt

Location: Richmond, CA (Making Waves Academy Campus)

Moving the community forward.

At MWA, we don’t just teach; we connect. We are looking for a Dean of Students who acts as a high-performance signal for our community—someone who can move fluidly between the classroom and high-traffic student spaces to ensure our mission is loud and clear. You won’t just be managing behavior; you’ll be the architect of a culture rooted in accountability, restorative justice, and authentic partnership.

Whether you’re investigating a complex incident or leading a restorative circle, you’ll be the visible advocate that keeps our students, families, and staff aligned and moving toward success.

What you’ll be doing:

As the Dean of Students, you are the frontline lead for student culture and behavioral intervention. You’ll be responsible for:

Driving Behavioral Excellence: Investigating reports and referrals, interviewing stakeholders, and assigning consequences that align with our Student-Parent Handbook.
Leading Restorative Intervention: Facilitating 1:1, small group, and classroom-wide restorative processes to repair community harm and support recovery after high-level infractions.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Managing disciplinary records in PowerSchool with 100% accuracy and developing behavioral data reports to monitor progress toward WASC/LCAP goals.
Empowering the Frontline: Training faculty and staff in Tier 1 restorative practices, ensuring they have the tools to address low-level infractions before escalation.
Building Authentic Connections: Proactively engaging with families from historically underserved communities to foster trust and ensure their child’s successful navigation of the MWA ecosystem.

What we’re looking for...

You’re a leader who excels in fast-paced environments and remains calm when the stakes are high. You understand that "discipline" is a tool for growth, not just a consequence. You have a "thick skin" but a big heart, balancing operational urgency with deep empathy for first-generation students and their families.

You’ll need to have:

Bachelor’s degree.
3+ years of direct experience serving students (ages 10–19) and families from historically underserved communities.
Proven track record in incident investigation and the application of school disciplinary policy.
A deep understanding of Restorative Justice and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks.

Even better if you have:

Spanish fluency (a significant advantage for our diverse community).

Why MWA?

When you join MWA, you’re joining a team that believes in the power of the "village." You’ll be supported by the Associate Director of Student Support Services and a collaborative team dedicated to seeing every student thrive. We offer a professional environment where your expertise in restorative practices will directly shape the future of our scholars.

Ready to connect?

Apply today. Better rewards. Better community. Better career.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

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Join the Wave: Careers at Making Waves Academy

Welcome to the career page for Making Waves Academy (MWA), a free, public charter school in Richmond, California.

We are more than a school; we are a powerful system committed to rigorously preparing students with the education, career skills, and financial freedom needed to meet their goals and thrive.

If you are mission-driven and dedicated to closing the achievement gap, you belong on our team.

Why MWA is an Exceptional Place to Work

Our culture and integrated model ensure you can make the deepest possible impact while building your own thriving career:

Life-Changing Impact: Work directly with students who achieve phenomenal results. We boast a 100% A-G completion rate and a college graduation rate of 76% (far surpassing national peers).

Growth-Oriented Culture: We invest in your development through dedicated professional learning and collaborative structures. You'll find a supportive, diverse team culture committed to continuous improvement.

Competitive Compensation: We offer a highly competitive salary scale and comprehensive benefits, recognizing the excellence and dedication required to achieve our extraordinary mission.

Ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of our Wave-Makers? Explore our open positions below!