KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high-performing public Charter Schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students with the skills, ability, and confidence to pursue their paths to college, career, and beyond.

Located in both Albany and Troy, NY, KIPP Capital Region serves 2,500+ students in grades K-12 across seven schools. We believe every individual walks through the doors of schools bearing gifts. Talent. Perspective. Drive. Inspiration. So at KIPP Capital Region, we support every student and educator to see those gifts, and then build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Position Overview

• Grade(s): 9-12

The Dean of School Culture & Climate will align social-emotional learning and behavioral intervention systems to create a positive learning environment and school culture for KIPP Capital Region.

Duties/Responsibilities

Initiative Organization & Management

• Set and invest staff in a vision for a joyful, structured, and caring school environment.
• Work with staff and students to design and implement school wide culture systems (i.e., entry, dismissal, transition, incentive systems, community meetings, etc.) aligned to the vision for school culture.
• Support educators with consistent implementation of research-based social emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavior interventions aligned within a multi-tiered intervention framework.
• Build restorative mindsets and capacity for school staff, students, and community stakeholders, to implement the following Restorative Practices:
  • Restorative responses
  • Restorative conversations
  • Talking circles
  • Peace circles
  • Peer conferences
  • Re-entry circles
  • Restorative conferences
• Ensure consistent implementation of research-based social emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavior interventions aligned within a multi-tiered intervention framework.
• Lead data collection and assessment process to evaluate effectiveness of school climate initiatives including data and assessments related to service coordination, school-wide implementation of climate initiatives, stakeholder surveys.
• Coordinate summer and academic year staff professional development in the areas of special education, English Language Learner instruction, and at-risk student services.

Organizational Leadership

• Support with the coaching and management of employees and student services team managers
• Provide individual behavior climate coaching to identified teachers.
• Facilitate various forms of professional development, including the following:
• Thought-partnering, collaborative reflection, and planning.
• Modeling, co-facilitating, and observing Restorative Practices and SEL implementation.
• Consultation to school leadership and school teams on the development and implementation of systems and structures for Restorative Practices and other school culture and climate topics
• Participate in student disciplinary meetings and coordinate peer mediation and other restorative practices/responses to student disciplinary concerns.
• Develop and facilitate PD and practice clinics.
• Own and organize educator development of classroom and school-wide management systems.
• Build teacher capacity of classroom and school-wide management through observation, feedback, and professional development.

School Culture & Student Success

• Provide support in crisis intervention including school-wide and individual student situations, including conducting crisis assessments, positive support plans, parental notifications as required by law.
• Collaborate with school social workers to oversee the referral of students requiring social-emotional and behavior support and social services.
• Engage the school community and caregivers in the educational process by providing frequent opportunities to discuss student growth and needs.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with corporations, civic groups, faith institutions, university group and other community groups to secure volunteers and resources to meet the campus’ goals and realize its vision.

KIPP Capital Region

• Perform other duties as outlined by the School Leadership.
• Committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws, and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including developing and participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited College or University
• 5+ years of professional experience working in education or related fields
• Previous experience in a School Leadership role, required
• Preferred experience working directly with students, preferably required in the charter, private, or public school environment.
• Prior experience working in schools and urban communities is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours.
• Aptitude to create and work within an inclusive environment that honors and supports a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods were spent sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee needs to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use fingers to type, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance; stoop/bend and reach, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, hear.
• Dexterity requires writing and operating standard office machines such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones, and calculators.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.