Casa Grande Union High School #82

Department Chair 

Job Title: Department Chair

Department: Casa Grande Union High School District

Reports To: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Annual Stipend: $4000

Summary

Department Chairs are the stewards of systemic reform and instructional leadership. They must help focus attention on the vision, mission, and goals of the high school. They are responsible for the smooth operation of their department. Department Chairs should also serve as a conduit from administration to staff-communicating system practices and polices related to curriculum. A representative from each site will be selected in the areas of: Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA, PE, CTE, and Electives. There will be duties required outside of the normal workday.

This is a 3 year position, and then must re-apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities may be carried out personally or through subordinate employees and include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Advocates for their department
• Attends Site Based Leadership meetings as required by Site Administration
• Distributes information
• Maintains day to day operations of the department
• Read weekly PLC Minutes
• Support team members as needed to move forward in understanding and preparing for the PLC process.
• Work with building administration to plan staff learning meetings and PD.
• Collect and organize data to share with the admin team and team leaders.
• Help identify teachers for leadership roles and support them as needed.
• Keep admin team focused and up to speed on the reality of classroom practice/pedagogy.
• Serve as the liaison between building admin and the district Academic department leadership
• is a mentor and coach to their department
• Focus on controllable variables
• Represents the department in participating at district level Department Meetings provided by the Academic Department
• Other duties as assigned

Employee Relations/Communication.

Proactively interacts with employees at all levels, promoting effective communication throughout the District regarding the department/school activities.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general curriculum periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and correspondence with parents, community and other agencies. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must hold a valid Arizona State Teachers certificate and be highly qualified in their department. Valid Fingerprint Clearance card is required.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information. Collects and researches data. Uses intuition and experience to complement data. Designs workflows and procedures.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions. Works well in group problem solving situations. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses. Pursues professional development opportunities. Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills. Shares expertise with others.

Client Service - Manages difficult or emotional student, parent, and employee situations. Responds promptly to client needs. Solicits client feedback to improve service. Responds to requests for service and assistance. Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintains confidentiality. Listens to others without interrupting. Keeps emotions under control. Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens and gets clarification. Responds well to questions. Demonstrates group presentation skills. Participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively. Edits work for spelling and grammar. Varies writing style to meet needs. Presents numerical data effectively. Able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Puts success of team above own interests. Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism. Inspires respect and trust. Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision. Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others. Inspires and motivates others to perform well. Effectively influences actions and opinions of others. Accepts feedback from others. Gives appropriate recognition to others.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Business and Instructional Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions. Aligns work with strategic goals.

Ethics - Treats people with respect. Keeps commitments. Inspires the trust of others. Works with integrity and ethically. Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures. Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time. Supports organization's goals and values. Benefits organization through outside activities. 

Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals. Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Measures self against standard of excellence. Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources. Sets goals and objectives. Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks. Develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Follows through on commitments.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Applies feedback to improve performance. Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment. Manages competing demands. Changes approach or method to best fit the situation. Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality - Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent. Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction. Takes responsibility for own actions. Keeps commitments. Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative - Volunteers readily. Undertakes self-development activities. Seeks increased responsibilities. Takes independent actions and calculated risks. Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities. Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity. Meets challenges with resourcefulness. Generates suggestions for improving work. Develops innovative approaches and ideas. Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.