Department Chair - Science 6-8 **INTERNAL ONLY

TITLE: Department/Grade Level Chairperson REVISED 04/22/24

2024-2025 School year APPROVED 05/13/24

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Demonstrates leadership and communication skills.

• Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of two years experience with Millcreek Township School District preferred.
• Demonstrates experience using assessment and data analysis to guide instruction.
• Strong content knowledge and pedagogy skills.
• Experience with curriculum development.
• Such alternatives to the above as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Curriculum, and Building Principal, as appropriate.

JOB GOAL: Be the liaison between the curriculum department and the specific grade level/department team. Also provide mentoring and leadership related to curriculum, instruction, and assessment within content/grade levels.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide continuous improvement toward curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
  • Function as an instructional leader.
  • Collaborate with colleagues and act as a resource to colleagues.
  • Assist with interpretation and use of testing and assessment data for purposes of increasing student achievement.
    • Identify deficient areas within student achievement data.
    • Recommend corrective instructional plans to address deficient areas.
  • Encourage the integration of technology within instructional programs.
  • Develop and carry out improvement projects working with the Building Administration and the Curriculum or Special Education Department.
  • Assist in the curriculum process.
  • Coordinate department events and/or initiatives with other elementary, middle school, and/or high school counterparts.
  • Participate/lead in-service (during the course of the year and in the summer) as a representative of the department to assure acquisition of knowledge to assume a leadership role for the implementation of district initiatives within the department.
• Initiate and demonstrate new techniques for developing effective instruction in the teaching/ learning process.
  • Support professional development within the district.
  • Provide in-service training programs for respective grade level/departments.
  • Keep abreast of current trends and best practices through educational journals and attendance at approved local, state, and/or national conferences, and disseminate information materials to other teachers via workshops and/or handouts.
• Coordinate and communicate the work of the department in cooperation with the Supervisors of Curriculum.
  • Develop, implement, monitor, promote, and report status on respective department and district goals.
  • Conduct department meetings. Submit agenda, sign-in sheets, and minutes to the Curriculum or Special Education Department.
  • Attend up to 6 Department Chair - Supervisor of Curriculum meetings, as directed, annually beyond the regular school day/year.
  • Facilitate scheduling for department.
  • Facilitate the ordering of curriculum materials following budget guidelines.
  • Assess and communicate department needs to principals and Supervisors of Curriculum.
  • Prepare department reports as requested.
  • Serve as a member of curriculum and advisory councils.
  • Perform any other duties needed to improve the department/grade level throughout the year.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequent travel to and from District sites.
• Frequent walking throughout various buildings.
• Various indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to sit at desk for extended periods of time.
• Standing for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Over 25 pounds requires assistance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Manual dexterity to use office equipment.
• Repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding.

SENSORY ABILITY:

• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Auditory acuity to be able to use telephone.
• Visual acuity to read correspondence and computer screen.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Indoor and outdoor environments.

TEMPERAMENT:

• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Must be courteous.
• Must be cooperative, congenial, service-oriented, and promote these qualities in the building.
• Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to withstand emotional stress.
• Must be flexible and be able to tolerate many situations and personalities.

COGNITIVE ABILITY:

• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Ability to listen to others on the telephone and in person.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to read, write and do complex computations.
• Ability to use correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling.
• Ability to compose clear, concise sentences, and paragraphs.
• Ability to work independently and make work-related decisions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks and problem-solving.
• Ability to communicate effectively to the public.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disability (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding the position and additional duties may be assigned.

EVALUATION: A yearly evaluation to be completed by a Supervisor of Curriculum or Building Principal.