Job Opening: Dean of Student & Family Services

Reports To: Assistant Principal of Culture / Vice President of Student & Family Services

Status: Exempt

ABOUT US:

Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded and open enrollment non-profit organization with nine public charters in urban Los Angeles. Across all of our Bright Star sites, over 90% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy in higher education, career, and life. Bright Star students will become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. The framework to our success is our core operating principles, which are Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang (고향), and Growth.

At Bright Star, we’re committed to our educators’ success. We provide over 260 hours of differentiated professional development each year and offer numerous leadership opportunities to support our teachers to become experts in their craft. We also offer small class sizes, comprehensive teacher support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites.

Educator applicants should be prepared to conduct classes virtually or in-person depending on COVID-19 health guidelines.

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Bright Star Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Main Function: The primary responsibility of the Dean of Student & Family Services is to lead a comprehensive, ASCA-aligned School Counseling program that prepares students to succeed in a variety of post-secondary higher education options.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Master’s Degree (preferred), Bachelor’s Degree (required)
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential (preferred) or California Teaching/Administrative Services Credential (preferred)
• Working knowledge of and experience implementing ASCA National Counseling Model (highly desired)
• Extremely high standards for student academic work and student behavior – expectation that all of our students (who are primarily from low-income, educationally disadvantaged families) will be able to rise to the same academic challenges and compete at the top levels with all students from across the city, regardless of their economic or educationally disadvantaged background.
• Desire to be a team player and delegate as appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and leadership potential. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to quickly digest and, when needed, create documents for the school community (students, teachers, parents).
• Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software plus an aptitude for quickly learning and mastering other data-based programs.
• Understanding of and agreement with our student, parent, and employee expectations (handbooks).
• Humility, receptiveness to feedback, evidence of being a constant learner.

Desired (but not required) in order of importance:

• Spanish fluency; willingness to learn Spanish if that isn’t the language of fluency.
• Track record of producing dramatic, measurable student achievement gains.
• Evidence of strong organizational, student management and connection skills.
• Teaching experience in 9th through 12th grades.
• Management experience, at least two years of supervising at least two other employees.

Responsibilities:

Counseling

• lead comprehensive School Counseling program in alignment with the ASCA National Counseling Model
• collaborate with and serve as point of contact with School Support Team and partners (e.g. LACOE)
• use data-informed practices and decision-making to lead, coach, and supervise grade-level counselors in alignment with department goals and expectations
• support grade-level counselors with 504 Plan and SSPT planning, facilitation, and implementation
• create and monitor Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for student success
• collaborate with all necessary parties (including but not limited to general education and inclusive education teachers, Culture Team, school psychologist, specialists, partner agencies) to implement interventions
• collaborate with grade-level counselors and partners to implement credit recovery program(s)
• ensure counselors are meeting with students and families individually and keeping track of course selections
• maintain (and submit) courses for approval with the College Board and UC Doorways
• collaborate with Data and Principal teams to lead annual student schedule creation
• collaborate with Assistant Principal of Instruction to lead, source, and provide professional development opportunities
• collaborate with Data and Office teams to ensure timely creation, communication, and analysis of reports

College & Career Readiness

• create and implement vertically-aligned college and career preparation programs
• oversee implementation of Naviance program for college & career development, data monitoring, and long-term academic and career planning
• create and lead execution of Dual Enrollment partnerships (IGETC, AA degree, and CTE pathways)
• establish and coordinate higher education and career partnerships (e.g. college visits, MicroCollege partnership, student internship opportunities)
• collaborate with Alumni Support & College Success coordinator to oversee post-high school planning (senior class higher education program and financial aid applications, financial aid review)

Family Services

• lead and coordinate family engagement and education programs
• establish and coordinate community-based partnerships to serve the needs of students and families
• coordinate administration of family surveys and needs assessments