Student Activities Director jobs in Iowa City, IA

Position Title: Middle School Dean of Students & Athletic/Activities Director

Immediate Supervisor: Middle School Principal

Summary: Plays a key role in the Middle School administrative team. The Dean/Director is dedicated to the development of lifelong learners through involvement in most aspects of administration including student discipline, supervision, planning and directing athletics/activities and other duties as assigned.

Dean of Students:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Carries out responsibilities assigned by the middle school principal as part of the middle school administrative team.
• Actively participates as a member of the building leadership team.
• Upholds the district’s student conduct code. Develops and/or updates administrative procedures to comply with legal mandates.
• Implements and upholds District policies and follows administrative procedures, building rules/regulations and state/federal mandates.
• Investigates student conduct concerns. Helps parents and students understand behavioral requirements. Prepares warning letters outlining the consequences of continued truancy and/or misconduct.
• Counsels students to acknowledge and manage responsible personal conduct. Helps resolve problems that impede student learning and/or participation in school activities.
• Refers hardship, neglect, and suspected child abuse cases to appropriate agencies or representatives.

• Acts as a liaison between the District and local police officers, court officials, etc.

• Supports a full range of educational options. Works with intervention assistance activities. Participates in parent conferences and IEP meetings as requested.
• Helps supervise student activities as directed (e.g., arrivals/departures, parking lots, lunch periods, hall duty, extracurricular programs, etc.) for both home/away activities.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records. Submits reports on time. Maintains district records for the maximum period mandated by law and/or board policy.
• Helps supervise the collection, entry, and verification of educational management information and student data as directed.
• Respects personal privacy. Maintains the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Takes precautions to ensure staff/student safety. Watches for student behavior that may indicate a problem (e.g., profanity, teasing, bullying, distress, etc.). Intervenes and works with staff to eliminate unacceptable behavior.
• Encourages parent organizations. Supports and participates in school and student activities as time permits.
• Establishes a strong culture of academic excellence and disciplined behavior among the students.
• Develops programs and structures for proactively teaching students the expected behavioral norms regarding both academic performance and social interaction.
• Contacts parents regarding any discipline referrals which involves removal from class, detention or suspension (parent/s must be informed before a student is expected to serve the detention or suspension).
• Maintains a professional and compassionate demeanor when interacting with students or parents, making sure they feel heard regardless of the topic of conversation.
• Assists principal with establishing strong relationships with parents and the community.
• Responds to parent phone calls in a timely manner.
• Keeps a record of all disciplinary referrals from teachers and staff.
• Enters all discipline referrals into PowerSchool™ database.
• Creates reports on discipline referrals including number of referrals by category and types of consequences assigned.
• Handles all student referrals in a timely fashion.
• Administers discipline as appropriate.
• Oversees a comprehensive plan for parent engagement/involvement.
• Submits updates for inclusion in parent newsletters.
• Participates in national, state, and/or regional activities that advance district goals.
• Participates in professional growth opportunities.
• Accepts personal responsibility for decisions and conduct.
• Strives to develop rapport and serve as a positive role model for others.
• Maintains safe, clean, and healthy school facilities and environment.
• Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs other specific job-related duties as directed.

Athletics/Activities Director:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Manage all aspects of athletic and activities administration including interviewing/hiring, and supervision/evaluation of coaches/sponsors, etc.
• Schedule and manage sports and activities (including officials), classes, co-curricular activities and community events.
• Coordinate transportation for all activities.
• Support the implementation of Board Policy and administrative regulations keeping staff informed of changes in policy and procedures which affect them.
• Maintain and control the funds generated by the athletic department activities.
• Supervise students during the school day and at home activities.
• Report to the central office regularly concerning the needs of the athletic/activities department with respect to personnel, transportation, equipment, supplies and curriculum.
• Manage the screening, hiring, in-service orientation, assigning, evaluating, and dismissing athletic and coaching staff (including officials) and sponsors as outlined by the Board Policy, negotiated agreements and District procedures.
• Work with various members of the middle school administrative staff on initiatives and projects regarding athletics and activities.
• Develop communication strategies to inform staff, parents, students, community members, and all stakeholders of progress toward the vision and mission of middle school athletics and activities.
• Extend the effective learning climate in the school to athletics and activities.
• Report progress on athletic and activities goals to students, parents, administration and stakeholders.
• Provide support in mentoring coaches and activity sponsors.
• Develop team-building, problem solving and organizational skills among coaching and sponsors.
• Direct athletic and activities meetings as appropriate for proper functioning of the programs.
• Develop a professional rapport and good working relationship with all staff members.
• Ensure professional development for coaches and sponsors that promotes a focus on student learning consistent with the school vision and goals.
• Maintain a positive image for the school as well as good public relations within the community.
• Discuss student developmental progress, problems, behavior incidents, and achievement with parents in an honest, sensitive, and confidential manner.
• Demonstrate professionalism in fulfilling the responsibilities of the athletic/activities director position.
• Demonstrate a positive approach toward school, students and athletic/activities director position and communicate the same to the community.
• Administer policies and procedures in a fair and equitable manner.
• Demonstrate appreciation for and sensitivity to the diversity in the school community.
• Treat students, staff, community members, and all other contacts fairly, equitably, and with dignity and respect.
• Communicate within the school community regarding trends, issues, and potential changes in the environment in which athletics and activities operate.
• Provide ongoing dialogue with representatives of diverse community groups and promote respect for diversity in the school and community environment.
• Be a spokesperson for the welfare of all members of the athletics/activities community.
• Engage in dialogue with other decision-makers to improve coaching and activity support.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises students throughout the building, grounds, and at school functions at home or away. Supervise and evaluate coaches and activity personnel.

Minimum Education or Experience:
M.A. degree and a minimum of 5 years teaching experience at the level.
Successful co-curricular (coaching/sponsor/director) experience.
Successful administrative experience preferred.
Cross-cultural experience working with adolescents.
Successful teaming and collaborative experiences with multiple administrators.

Licensure or Certification:
Valid Iowa Teaching License.
Valid Iowa Administrator License
Valid Iowa evaluator approval.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Competency in areas of content knowledge including Iowa educational standards and school law, current learning and administrative/management theory, content pedagogy, general teaching knowledge, willingness to learn new skills and knowledge to enhance administrative skills.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Ability to access information and resources, and make student centered decisions that effectively address a variety of teaching/work styles.

Self-directed with the ability to manage and organize multiple work demands.

Willingness to hold high expectations for student academic performance and behavior; ability to set achievable goals, monitor and evaluate student progress; ability to be resourceful in responding to the changing needs of staff, students and the community.

Ability to assess the strengths, needs, interests, and aspirations of staff; willingness to hold high expectations for staff and student academic performance and behavior; ability to set achievable goals, monitor and evaluate staff and student progress; ability to be resourceful in responding to the changing needs of staff, students and the community.

Ability to recognize the relationships between self and others; accept responsibility for contributions to staff, students, the District, and the community; willingness to actively participate in improving self and professional skills.

Ability to effectively listen, speak, write, read, and respond clearly to students, parents, staff and community members; ability to use a variety of media and technology to enhance communications.

Ability to use interpersonal skills to develop constructive relationships with students, staff, administration, parents, colleagues, and community groups; willingness to provide a high level of service and response to the diverse needs of the District’s customers.

Ability to function effectively as part of an administrative team, support District initiatives and peers, plan collaboratively, create new vision, solve complex problems, and work constructively with the administrative team to solve problems that arise.

Ability to take responsibility for, support, and implement Board policies, administrative regulations, practices, and procedures.

Ability to guide the learning process toward the achievement of District approved educational goals; ability to establish clear objectives for staff in harmony with the educational/curricular goals.

Ability to maintain a safe environment including the ability make quick and/or deliberate decisions as well as to develop reasonable rules of professional behavior and maintain order in a fair and just manner.

Ability to develop team building and facilitation, problem solving, and organizational skills among all staff.

Ability to effectively prioritize and organize work, as well as effectively manage time, schedules, and events.

Proficient in computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheet and database applications (Word, Excel, etc.).

Ability to work flexible hours / schedule.

Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, speak, hear, see, and walk to carry out routine duties. Must be able to bend arms, torso, and neck. Must be able to occasionally lift, move, or push items of 50 lbs such as assisting staff/students to include moving/rearranging furniture and/or restraining disruptive students. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to supervise staff and students in all types of weather, meet multiple demands from several people, and professionally interact with the public and other staff.

Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Noise level is quiet to loud. Work may be indoors and/or outdoors. Work may be in non-air conditioned rooms. Tobacco and alcohol-free environment. Fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, or the public. May include evenings. Direct responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output staff and students.