Position Title: Assistant Principal

Department: UCAN Academy and High School 

Reports to: Principal

Direct Reports: Behavior Intervention Specialists, Teacher Assistants

Position Objective and Summary:

Under the supervision of the Principal, the Assistant Principal is responsible for creating a therapeutic environment using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Restorative Justice interventions, PBIS interventions, and UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy. The Assistant Principal will employ leadership skills designed to facilitate, motivate, and empower both staff and students.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Culture of Care

• Assists in maintaining an environment for students that is safe, pleasant, considers cultural factors and is directed towards enhancing the students’ growth.
• Participates in the development and ensures the implementation of all student’s IEPs and behavior and safety plans.
• Assists in observing and evaluating the students’ behavioral progress.
• Maintains accurate data and outcomes in student management system.
• Facilitates training on behavior management and the school’s behavior intervention plan.
• Uses population specific knowledge and expertise in developing intervention strategies.
• Trains all new staff in the school’s restorative justice practices and provides refresher training throughout the school year for all staff.
• Ensures all restorative justice practices are implemented and documented consistently and accurately.
• Provides observational feedback and improvement plans as needed to staff on the use of TCI, restorative justice, and behavior management practices.
• Manages the schoolwide PBIS supports.
• Stays up to date on ISBE restraint and time out policy and procedures.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Academics

• Researches and implements academic and behavioral interventions and works closely with principal to create an effective learning environment.
• Provides leadership and direction to staff about the ongoing evaluation and improvement of educational programs.
• Assists Principal in making programmatic decisions.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Supervisory and Administrative

• Provides regular individual supervision to team members and weekly team meetings to ensure students’ needs are being met in accordance with TCI, best practice standards, and UCAN policy.
• Defines each employee’s role and responsibilities within the team.
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Resolves staff issues and concerns.
• Recruits, hires, and conducts orientation of assigned staff, including setting and evaluating clear and collaborative individual performance goals for employees.
• Acts as site supervisor when principal is absent.
• Collaborates with school administration team to design and lead professional development sessions.
• Assists in the development and updates of all school policy and procedures.
• Develops, tracks, and analyzes data for school improvement goals, agency data reporting, and Cognia.
• Manages team expenses by following Finance Dept. procedures and budget guidance.
• Manages employee job performance by following HR procedures and documentation requirements for: hiring; job scheduling and assignment; disciplinary actions; recommendations for salaries, raises, promotions, demotions, and terminations.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Stakeholders

• Assists in facilitating positive community relations with Academy’s stakeholders by responding to students and their families, UCAN staff, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their needs.
• Facilitates and coordinates services/actions between all teams in the school.
• Acts in a professional manner and maintains appropriate boundaries with all stakeholders.
• Participates in staffing meetings, team meetings, supervisory sessions, and other related program meetings, on a regular basis and attends all routine staff meetings.
• Utilizes stakeholder survey results to make program changes to meet the needs of stakeholders.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• Illinois Professional Educator License with an Administrative endorsement, type 75 required.
• Minimum of 5 years in school setting with some supervisory responsibility.
• Degree in Special Education preferred.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Prior training and understanding of Restorative Justice practices in schools.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices.
• Knowledge of teacher evaluation practices.
• Ability to use technology for data entry, communication, report writing, and efficiently learn new technology and technology-based programing.
• Understanding of ISBE restraint and timeout policy and practices.
• Maintains TCI certification and TCI trainer certified (as applicable).
• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.

Work Environment: This position requires the ability to frequently conduct physical restraints utilizing current TCI training. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases and risks of injury associated with students with emotional disorders.

At UCAN, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, as it is essential to our mission of serving the community. Our competitive benefits package is designed to help you and your family thrive. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the benefits we offer.

Benefits You Can Choose From:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefits Provided at No Cost to You:

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UCAN is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.