Dean of Student Discipline

Job Description

Title: Dean of Student Discipline

Division: School-Wide

Location: Making Waves Academy Richmond

Reports to: Assistant Principal of Student Conduct and Discipline

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

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 plus $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance & MWA Benefits

Position Summary

The Dean of Student Discipline, under the direction of the Assistant Principal of Student Conduct and Discipline and in collaboration with the Dean of Students, 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 (as detailed in the MWA Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook.  Under the direction of the AP for Student Conduct and Discipline, they 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 classroom observations and providing consultation and support related to classroom management system design and implementation
• 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

The Dean of Students will also help compile, analyze, and respond to data such as student attendance, disciplinary data, and academic data to ensure students meet MWA expectations for success.

Primary Responsibilities

Student Conduct and Discipline

• Under the direction of the AP for Student Conduct and Discipline, the Dean will follow up on and investigate referrals and reports involving student conduct that entails interviewing students and staff, collecting written statements, conferring with the AP for Student Conduct and Discipline (or Principal), and applying consequences as outlined in the Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook.
• 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.
• Under the direction of the AP for Student Conduct and Discipline, 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.  Facilitate meetings with the student and their parents about the concerns, patterns, expectations, and potential next steps if the patterns persist.
• 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 a post-incident debrief to learn how they are doing now, did/do they feel supported and what else might we do to support them.

System Development/Management

• Appropriately communicate (phone calls, forms, and letters) and document all student referrals and suspensions to parents and guardians; properly save and file documentation both electronically and in hard copy form; communicate all issues concerning student welfare and well-being in a timely fashion to make sure responses or actions are appropriate and legally compliant.  
• Organize and manage documentation of suspension forms, referrals, and student meetings.  Include pertinent information such as the student's name, grade level/Wave, any identified disability or special need (IEP or 504 Plan), the subject or aim of the meeting or check-in, date, and whether or not the teacher has been called.
• Meet regularly with members of the student support services team to discuss any current or emergent issues coming up for specific students to inform an approach towards
• Develop, organize, and disseminate daily, weekly, monthly, grading period, and annual reports (depending on the item) of disciplinary data.
• Identify ways to share discipline data with students and staff on a regular basis as well as identify positive trends in behavior and individual improvements or recognitions.

Facilitation

• Support the Dean for Restorative Practices and Student Wellbeing in various restorative-based meetings, including 1:1 and small group circles and some student/staff check-ins and follow-ups.
• Create and/or co-create high-impact professional development offerings for MWA staff related to our discipline policies and procedures, particularly for Level 3 and 4 infractions.

Student and Family Support

• Proactively develop relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff to build trust and open lines of communication and support.
• 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.
• Present at Parent Meetings on various topics related to discipline and school policies that support and develop parent education and awareness to support their child’s successful navigation of MWA.

Reporting

• In collaboration with the Principal and Assistant Principals, monitor and report out progress against WASC/LCAP goals throughout the school year.
• Work with the Director of Student Support Services and central office administrators to make sure MWA data, such as discipline data, is accurate and can be reported promptly to federal, state, and local agencies.
• Ensure that all MWA staff are monitoring the safety and well-being of students and adults in the community, adhering to Mandated Reporter requirements, and communicating any concerns, with respect to the safety and well-being of MWA staff and students, to the CEO and MWA Board in some cases.

Additional Responsibilities and Expectations

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.

Other

• Manage special projects as assigned by the Assistant Principal of Student Conduct and Disciplines or designee.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment, but may also be required to visit classrooms. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, portable two-way radio transceivers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to adhere to the following:

• Frequently walk across the middle and upper school campus, and climb stairs.
• Participate in campus supervision duty each week – Monday through Friday frequency may vary based on each semester's supervision assignment.
• Lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand on a stool as necessary, and sit for long periods.

Travel

Some travel is required for MWA-related events, such as workshops or conferences.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5+ years of experience working with students between the ages of 10-19 and families from historically underserved communities
• Passion for MWA’s mission and demonstrated commitment to supporting first-generation students and/or children and families from historically underserved communities
• Results driven; uses data to inform support pathways for students, parents, and staff through inter-departmental collaborations & Professional Development offerings
• Understanding of California Education Code as it relates to student behavior and conduct
• Familiarity with Restorative Justice and Positive Interventions and Services frameworks and philosophies
• High degree of demonstrated cultural competency with the ability to lean into difficult conversations

Skills

• Highly effective and professional communication skills with staff, students, and families
• Ability to uphold and reinforce school policies and procedures when addressing students and families
• Ability to meet deadlines on a tight schedule
• Ability to adapt and align on school-related initiatives
• Highly organized, goal-oriented, collaborative, and focused on outcomes
• Fosters an environment and culture which promotes respect, responsibility, and trust
• Ability to communicate with and build relationships with students and their families in the culturally and linguistically diverse MWA community
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with limited supervision
• Demonstrate an understanding of technology and literacy learning platforms (Microsoft Office Suite, PowerSchool, Canvas, Blackboard, Google Drive, and Calendar, if applicable)
• Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required

Licenses or Certificates Needed

• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis, and/or other employment clearance
• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Certificate of Clearance (COC) required
  • Read here for more information: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/certificate-of-clearance-(cl-900)

Preferred but not required

• Master’s or Advanced Degree
• Spanish language proficiency

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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