Bay Area Dean of Students and Community Schools Partnerships

Description

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

Job Summary

The Dean of Student and Community Schools will be responsible for managing the functions of the school site and overseeing the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). This includes designing, implementing, and supervising programs to support the holistic development of students, fostering community relationships, and enhancing school culture. This role involves collaboration with school leaders, parents/families, and community organizations to implement a community school strategy aligned to the CCSPP. Additionally, this role will support the Principal in building a culture that fosters respect and is driven by the principles of “College for Certain.”

Essential Functions

Integrated Support Services

• Identify and coordinate academic, socio-emotional, and health resources for students and their families.
• Facilitate expanded health and wellness services at the school, including behavioral and mental health.
• Facilitate and support enrichment activities during the school day, after school, and summer.
• Collaborate with the School Leadership Team as well as Aspire Public Schools’ regional and home office staff to track programming progress and evaluate the effectiveness of activities.
• Lead the review and update process of the Community Schools Implementation Plan so that it reflects the progress and needs of the school, legislative updates to the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) grant at the state level, and course corrections informed by continuous improvement and school community engagement processes.
  
  

Collaborative Leadership and Practices for Educators and Administrators

• Develop a collaborative team culture.
• Facilitate communication among various stakeholders (students, families, school administration, teachers, student support staff, and community partners) to support collaborative decision-making.
• Chair the school’s Community Schools Advisory Committee.
• Collaborate on master scheduling and strategic planning projects.
• Ensure compliance with protocols and manage external partnerships.
• Serve as administrative lead in the absence of the Principal.
• Lead and participate in appropriate staff meetings and training.
• Provide professional development and programmatic supports for teachers and staff on evidence-based strategies to develop trusting, inclusive, and collaborative relationships with families and community members.
  
  

Family and Community Engagement

• Develop and strengthen relationships with community-based organizations and government agencies.
• Partner with school site leadership to increase and strengthen family support services, family engagement initiatives including English Learner Advisory Committee, School Site Council, and community building.
• Communicate with parents to better serve students and garner support from community groups and leaders.
• Participate in Aspire’s Regional Community Schools Advisory Group.
  
  

Student Life & Culture

• Implement, model, and enforce policies and practices related to student discipline and Aspire cultural norms.
• Participate and lead parent conferences involving matters related to discipline and attendance.
• Document, manage, and report on student discipline data.
• Oversee and develop student mediation/conflict resolution programs.
• Respond to and participate in complaints or investigations of student misbehavior.
• Provide supervision of students during school-sponsored activities.
• Plan and organize extracurricular and enrichment activities that support the development of students' interpersonal skills and relationships.
• Lead student life activities including athletics, programs, social activities, music and drama activities, student governments, assemblies, contests, and publications.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors and entities that provide student activities.
  
  

Culture, Climate, and Student Safety

• Collaboratively work with students, parents, and school staff to build a safe and productive learning environment.
• Partner with site staff to maintain safety plans, crisis response procedures, and restorative re-entry practices.
• Ensure compliance with local and state policies regarding suspensions, expulsions, and student rights.
• Manage emergency issues in alignment with Aspire practices.
• Participate in and train staff on safety drills, emergency plans, and safety-related policies.
  
  

Communication & Systems Management

• Maintain accurate records of interventions, referrals, discipline, and student progress.
• Communicate consistently with families, staff, and partners regarding supports and expectations.
• Represent the school in district and community forums related to climate, discipline, and community schools initiatives.
• The Community School Director will also sit on Aspire’s Regional Community Schools Advisory Group and be resonsipble for Community Schools grant reporting for the individual school site, which will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of each school in the region’s priorities for the community schools project, reviewing data across the school sites to identify trends, and cultivating and leveraging regional and community resources so they are efficiently distributed where they are most needed.
  
  

Additional Duties

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of child and adolescent development, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Knowledge of state/local attendance and discipline laws and best practices.
• Strong communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, and data-driven decision-making skills
• Ability to build trust and positive relationships with students, families, staff, and partner organizations.
• Knowledge of applicable and appropriate strategies of conflict resolution methods
• Knowledge of applicable laws, Education Code, and regulations that govern educational practices.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data
  
  

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s preferred).
• Valid, cleared California teaching credential required (e.g., Single Subject, Multiple Subject, Education Specialist).
  
  

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience required.
• Experience implementing restorative practices, PBIS, or equivalent positive behavior systems.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with families and community partners.
• Prior leadership experience in a school setting strongly preferred.
  
  

Competencies:

• Knowledge of business and management principles and processes involving program development, planning, resource allocation, and coordination of people and resources
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills; high sense of urgency; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently; ability to work as a team and in stressful environments
• Ability to provide excellent communication and present information and ideas so that others will understand
• Knowledge of how to interact, develop interpersonal relationships, and work collaboratively with persons from varying backgrounds and experiences
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data
  
  

Physical requirements:

• Stand, walk or bend over, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, grasp, push, and pull. Move, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds to shoulder height
• Repetitive use of hands (i.e. fine manipulation, simple grasping, and power grasping)
• Demonstrate normal depth perception
• Sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone
• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone with or without auditory aids
  
  

Work authorization requirements:

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Provide health (TB) clearance (must update every four years)