Associate Director, Culture, Climate & Student Services

Job Title: Associate Director, Culture, Climate & Student Services

Terms of Employment: Grade 131 / 12 months (260 days)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Location: Wellness Office, Dept. of Culture, Climate & Student Services

Immediate Supervisor: Director, Culture, Climate & Student Services

General Description

The Associate Director will play an essential role in shaping positive and inclusive learning environments for all students in Richmond Public Schools. In this pivotal role, the Associate Director will provide leadership, direction, and support for various student services programs, specifically those that focus on behavior and restorative practices. Additionally, the associate director will collaborate with division and school-based administrators, counselors, social workers, and other staff to ensure students have the resources and support they need. The Associate Director will focus intensively on behavioral support for students.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Culture, Climate, and Student Services (CCSS) to develop, implement, and oversee a division-wide framework for creating a trauma-responsive and restorative school climate that promotes physical and emotional safety
• Supervise staff in the implementation of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) inclusive of interventions and strategies to support student's academic, social, and emotional success
• Ensure seamless alignment between restorative practices and trauma-responsive strategies
• Support the Director of Culture, Climate, and Student Services by implementing and monitoring strategic initiatives related to student wellness inclusive of mental and behavioral health
• Work with the Director of Culture, Climate, and Student Services to hire, supervise, and problem-solve when challenges arise with CCSS staff
• Build the capacity of RPS staff to understand wellness and self-care and how to support their mental health
• Support the development and implementation of school plans to support a positive school climate utilizing restorative and trauma-responsive strategies
• Develop and maintain data-driven systems to monitor and assess school climate, behavior, and social-emotional data to inform and guide systemic efforts
• Provide school leaders with aligned resources, training materials, and direct coaching, when requested, to support the implementation work in their buildings that supports a positive school culture and climate
• Determine metrics for success in implementing practices in schools that support a positive culture and climate and collect data toward that end
• Collaborate with division offices and departments to ensure professional learning and support for staff in the development of safe and loving learning environments for all stakeholders
• Collaborate with community organizations and families to build partnerships and resources that support the overall well-being of students
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by keeping current with the literature and new research findings
• Performs other related duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in special education, psychology, behavior disorders, social work, and/or counseling is required; Virginia Department of Education educator license preferred
• Minimum three years of successful clinical or classroom experience working with students with challenging behaviors required
• Minimum three years of experience providing professional supervision of staff
• Knowledge of current trends and methodologies used to address the needs of children with behavioral challenges
• Extensive successful experience in analyzing, assessing behavior, developing, planning, and implementing behavioral interventions
• Experience in data collection, evaluation, development, and implementation of positive behavior intervention plans and knowledge of tiered intervention frameworks and current accepted best practices utilized in the full continuum of placement options for students with behavioral challenges
• Ability to develop and lead professional learning activities for individual schools and/or division-wide initiatives
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines and ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Bilingual/fluency in Spanish preferred
  
  

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload a current resume with your application.

Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.