Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Hiring for Senior Director of Student Affairs at Aurora, IL Full Time

The faculty and staff of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) invite you to join them in shaping and implementing the next generation of innovative and engaging learning experiences. IMSA is actively seeking applications for the full-time position of Senior Director of Student Affairs in the Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs strives to provide students with an exceptional experience outside of the classroom.

The Senior Director of Student Affairs is a 12-month, full-time position. Key responsibilities include serving as the Chief Hearing Officer, handling student behavioral and academic conduct, as well as the Assistant Title IX Coordinator. This role includes supervision over student engagement, including the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Student Leadership and Service, Coordinator of Athletics and Co-Curriculars, Coordinator of Student Activities and the Administrative Assistant who helps support these roles. In addition, this position oversees the graduation requirements of LEAD and service learning. The Senior Director will work as part of the Student Affairs team to provide a broad offering of programs and services for students at the Academy. The individual in this role will provide support and oversight to the Student Affairs department in the absence of the Chief Student Affairs Officer. The Senior Director will be supervised and evaluated by the Chief Student Affairs Officer. 

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented IllinServe as the case manager for incident reports received through the Maxient reporting system.ois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry (www.imsa.edu).

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence work is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA’s Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

Principal Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Principal and Chief Academic Officer is responsible for, but not limited to:

• Serve as the Chief Hearing officer for all formal discipline matters at the Academy involving students.
• Review facts related to each case, conduct hearings, determine appropriate consequences and communicate outcomes to students, parents and staff.
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation regarding student conduct, specifically using Maxient and PowerSchool.
• Biannually, chair the Disciplinary Policy Review Committee, researching best practices, reviewing current policies, and formulating and proposing educated recommendations for changes and updates to the Student Discipline Policy (Policy JG) and the Chemical Possession and Use Policy (Policy JGDA).
• Conduct training for and serve as a resource for Academy staff regarding appropriate handling of student behavioral concerns.
• Serve as the case manager for incident reports received through the Maxient reporting system.
• Act as administrator of the LiveSafe app, including investigating tips received through the app.
• Serve as a member of the Academy’s emergency response team; Provide support, communication, and decision-making during crisis situations as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook and Emergency Operations Plan.
• Serve as a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), with responsibilities including BIT case management and serving as committee chair in the absence of the Chief Student Affairs Officer.
• Annually evaluate and update the Student Parent Handbook.
• Serve as the Assistant Title IX Coordinator for the Academy, serving as an investigator and ensuring Academy compliance; complete and maintain all necessary Title IX training.
• Supervise, provide mentorship and guidance to, and evaluate the student engagement team who is responsible for providing structure, leadership and vision for much of the out-of-classroom student experience at the Academy. 
• Oversee and manage the student engagement budget.
• Assist with on-boarding of new staff and off-boarding of current staff for the Office of Student Affairs, as needed.
• Oversee the Service Learning graduation requirement, which includes: 
• Tracking student service learning hours to ensure accurate recording keeping;
• Providing training and communication regarding service learning to students and parents; 
• Developing relationships with community partners and coordinating service learning opportunities;
• Knowledge and understanding of service learning theory, concepts and program standards are key;
• Oversee the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) graduation requirement which includes:
• Creation of LEAD curriculum for sophomore participants;
• Training of LEAD facilitators;
• Orchestration of annual Student Leadership Exchange (SLX) event including partnership with alumni and community members to serve as evaluators for students’ culminating projects; 
• Serve as a leader within the Academy, moving the mission, vision and values of the Academy forward by providing guidance, setting goals, ensuring trust and accountability and exhibiting the highest standards of behavior at the Academy. This may include leading special projects within the division of Student Affairs as well as serve as the representative for Student Affairs in Academy-wide projects, initiatives, and committees, such as the Institutional Leadership Team.
• Assist with divisional and campus-wide events such as Preview Day, Graduation, Carnival, Convocation, Registration, Welcome Week and Orientation.
• In the absence of the Chief Student Affairs Officer, the Senior Director will lead meetings, provide guidance, have oversight of, and represent Student Affairs.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s strategic plan.
• Ability to work irregular schedules, including periodic evening and/or weekend hours.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Student Affairs Officer.

Skills and Experience:

The required skills and experience for this position include:

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs or related field.
• Five+ years of relevant leadership and supervision experience in an educational setting.
• Experience in student engagement.
• Experience in student conduct and discipline in an educational setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations.
• Excellence organizational, problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Ability to analyze and process complex systems and issues.
• Ability to work under pressure, deal with interruptions and handle crisis situations.
• Proficient user of common office productivity technology and software.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Experience working with gifted and talented high school students.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards.
• Substantial time is spent working on a computer.
• This role requires the following physical activities: talking, hearing and visual acuity, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, loading, unloading and moving materials/boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Familiarity with the software Maxient and the LiveSafe app a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role generally requires mobility, written and verbal communication, hearing and visual capabilities. However, reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform such requirements. 

COMPENSATION

This is a 12 month exempt position. Starting salary no less than $77,516 and is commensurate with training and experience expected at this level of employment. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement Systems of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

Application Process:

Applicants must submit a letter of interest, complete and current resume, and the contact information for three current professional references. Applications will be accepted and reviewed as received until the position is filled. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. We are seeking a diverse applicant pool.