Assistant Dean of Student Affairs - Upper School - The Quad Preparatory School

Quad Preparatory School

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs - Upper School

Updated: January 2024 (for 2024-2025 School Year)

Classification: Exempt 

Reports to: Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs 

Salary: Salary: $85,000-$100,000

At Quad Prep, we are on a mission — to transform the lives of neurodiverse, twice-exceptional people by redefining the experience of school. Through the collective, collaborative, and empathic work of our teachers and clinicians, we are empowering our students to engage with the exciting and wonderful diversity of this world. 

As we enter our 12th year, we are excited to welcome fellow innovators and collaborative colleagues to our team to be a part of this inspiring and impactful mission. At Quad Prep, a New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Accredited School, we are eager to create challenging and engaging learning experiences for our students, to seek diverse perspectives, and to work together to continuously refine and redefine best practices in neurodiverse education. The Quad Preparatory School actively seeks to advance diversity through its programs and hiring.

Why work at Quad Prep?

• ACCREDITED SCHOOL: Quad Prep was recognized as an outstanding school when it received accreditation last year through NYSAIS.

• COMMUNITY: We are committed to building a joyful and inclusive culture where everybody is celebrated for who they are.   

• COLLEAGUES: Our colleagues are inspiring, consummate innovators and are at their happiest collaborating to create personalized solutions for each student.  

• STUDENTS We guarantee that you will learn something eye-opening every single day from our students — and have a lot of joy and laughter along the way!

• DEEP PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Quad Prep supports mission-driven educators and clinicians to grow their professional skills and influence in the neurodiversity educational space. Close collaboration with colleagues, coaching from supportive leaders, and thoughtful, in-depth professional learning programs keep us growing.

• GENEROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS

  • Health: Medical, Dental, Vision

  • Student Loan repayment 

  • Retirement Plan contribution

  • Group Life Plan

  • Disability Insurance

  • Generous Parental Leave

• WORK LIFE BALANCE:  In addition to a ten-month school year during which our staff are offered on average 33 days off (approximately 7 weeks) for scheduled holidays and school breaks, we provide generous preparation periods throughout each week, limiting the number of after work hours you will need to work —  so that you can live the life you wish for — inside and outside of our school. Additionally, our students are dismissed midday each Friday in order for you to meet with your team and division, as well as plan, and prep.

• EXTRAS You can build a private practice or tutor onsite during after school hours at low-cost reduced rates, available only to our Quad Prep staff.

Who We Are

(If Quad Prep is for you, you'll read what's below and feel, "That's me!")

At Quad Prep, we are guided by values that we hold dear and we have developed an innovative set of practices to meet our mission. We are:

Groundbreaking: We ignite our students’ talents and are passionate about their futures. You are:

• Passionate about our work and our mission

• Creative and excited about reaching each and every learner in new ways

• Excited to help create new, evidence-based best practices in this rapidly evolving field

• Able to set high expectations of both students and yourself and discover ways to meet them

Collaborative:  We function with an exceedingly deep degree of collaboration. You:

• Communicate effectively with colleagues

• Seek to understand yourself and others in order to welcome new perspectives 

• Are generous of spirit and willing to give and receive feedback and input freely

• Are kind, welcoming, and inclusive

Trustworthy:  We are steadfast and are accountable to our students and each other. You:

• Can be counted on to do what you say you will do

• Have a high level of ownership for personal and team results

• Can purposefully develop skills to find success in your work and our learning community

• Ask for support when you need it

• Project an unflappable, firm, and kind presence to our students

Constantly Learning and Growing:  We value continued growth and learning. You:

• Seek opportunities to learn and grow in your professional practice

• Support colleagues by sharing best practices and nurturing their learning

• Help the organization grow and improve by developing and sharing new ideas and approaches

Resourceful:  At Quad Prep, we dig deep to meet our mission. You: 

• Are highly effective and dedicated 

• Show initiative

• Display good judgment and sensibility

• Excellent at supporting students inside and outside the classroom

Flexible:  At Quad Prep, we never give up on each other and are driven by the ethos of “not if, but how.”   You are:

• Open to new ideas

• Nimble in fluid, changing environments

• Excited by growth, change, and innovation

The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs works closely with the Assistant Head of School and Dean of Student Affairs and Divisionals Directors to take the lead on working with students, teachers, and clinicians in creating a safe and welcoming learning environment. This position requires flexibility, strong relationship-building skills, excellent judgment, compassion, the ability to be responsive while setting clear boundaries with students, manage situations as they arise, and work in a fast-paced environment. 

Duties:

Daily Operations

• Work closely with the Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs and Upper School leadership in overseeing the daily operation of the Upper School (Middle School grades 6-8 and High School grades 9-12)

• Collaborate with Divisional Leaders and the Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs on all issues affecting instructional progress, student management, and school wide staff procedures.

• Strategize and debrief with the Divisional Directors and Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs on a daily basis

• Continually monitor the halls when not otherwise engaged

• Oversee attendance for students, ensure students are where they belong

• Monitor student activities in hallways and common spaces to ensure a calm environment, suitable to learning

• Create and oversee arrival and dismissal procedures; supervise students as well as staff participating in student arrival and dismissal

• Work with teachers and students to promote building safety, maintenance, and cleanliness 

Schoolwide Progressive Discipline 

• Responsible for implementing schoolwide progressive disciplinary procedures

• Advise staff on all progressive disciplinary procedures 

• Work with employees directly in all disciplinary matters as determined by the Employee Handbook

School Safety and Emergency Preparedness 

• Serve as Fire Warden: run fire procedures, lockdown procedures, and all emergency evacuation procedures developed by the school and may assist leadership in overseeing other involved staff  

• Serve on the school's fire marshal team

• Oversees Ruvna attendance to ensure student and staff whereabouts can be determined in an emergency 

• Part of team responsible for overseeing all offsite activities – knows where each student and staff member is at all times across the school

Student Support & Behavior Management

• Be highly present and visible during school hours, constantly ensuring the school has an inclusive and joyful school culture

• Build strong relationships with students and colleagues and promote a sense of community and belonging

• Support students throughout the day (integration) in utilizing psychosocial and executive functioning skills in group settings, transitions, and when having difficulty attending classes

• Support the implementation of en vivo interventions to students struggling with emotion regulation, following school practices, social conflicts, engaging in academics, etc.

• Oversees that requested support on the walkies is responded to quickly and effectively

• Coach all staff in proper walkie etiquette and ensure all walkie calls are answered, even if psychosocial staff believe a student is on their way to class

• Model successful behavioral strategies 

• As needed, support students throughout the day (integration) in utilizing psychosocial support in the classroom and transitions

• Facilitate learning of self-regulation, anxiety management, social thinking and impulse control skills, in collaboration with the clinical and academic staff

• Practice de-escalation and model proper de-escalation techniques for others

• Participate in de-escalation training for staff

Incident Report Management

• Monitor and sign all incident reports 

• Maintain records of all incidents, time outside of classroom, and suspensions 

• Implement response plan to incident report: 

  • As appropriate, participate in investigation/information gathering

  • Briefs appropriate team members related to student(s)

  • Brief Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs and Divisional Directors on all incidents 

• Debrief with all leadership, staff and students involved in all incident reports 

• If necessary, occasionally participate with counselors in parent calls of students involved 

• Ensure that school-wide discipline policies are maintained

• Along with the clinicians, assist in the creation of students’ behavioral plans

• Maintain all students' behavioral plans

• Update, advise, and collaborate with academic teachers on student behavioral and psychosocial plans

• Serve as Bullying and Social Conflict Response Lead, overseeing and investigating all reports of bullying and collaborating with the Upper School Clinical Director and Assistant Head of School & Director of Student Affairs on an appropriate disciplinary response. 

Crisis Management

• Supervise the crisis management team in crisis management and crisis de-escalation

• Along with the Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affairs, directly monitor all school crises 

• Proactively develop strategies to prevent incidence of crises 

• Coach and supervise staff responsible for crisis management 

• Ensure safety of students, through use of Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques

• Support classroom staff with de-escalation and safe student removal process 

Supervision

• Oversee the schedules and coverage needs of the psychosocial team

• Coach Psychosocial Teachers in effective psychosocial supports through real-time observations/support

• As appropriate, work with the Assistant Head of School & Director of Student Affairs to help lead weekly Psychosocial group supervision 

• Assist with hiring and orientation of psychosocial employees; evaluating performance; and supporting faculty with classroom management 

• With input from Assistant Head of School & Dean of Student Affiars and leadership, coordinate communications; listen, receive feedback, and provide feedback and encouragement for all employees 

Additional Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Have the physical capacity to restrain or assist in the restrain of a child of up to 110 lbs. 

• Participate in all training and staff development modules, including reading required books and articles on cutting-edge 2E and other educational and CPI developments 

• Must be able to use GSuite, specifically Google Drive 

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Competencies: 

1. Love for working with children 

2. Desire and ability to work with students with special needs 

3. Ability to connect with Middle/Upper school-aged students

4. Experience in utilizing crisis prevention intervention (CPI) techniques

5. Providing engaging instruction 

6. Effective oral and written communication 

7. A solid understanding of Middle/Upper School student’s academic, social, and emotional development 

8. Attention to detail 

9. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy 

10. Ethical conduct 

11. Exceptional Time management and the ability to multitask and delegate to staff

12. Teamwork and collaboration

13. Patience and flexibility 

Work Environment:
This job operates in a school setting. School is located on the 1st, 5th, and 6th floors of a highrise  building. There is also a gym space five blocks away that is utilized by students. There is also a Lower School campus located one block away, and there is infrequent cause to be at the Lower School. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the school and between buildings. 

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is active and involves continuous standing, walking and climbing stairs. The employee must be able to lift and/or move items above or around 110 pounds. Typing is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: 

This is a full-time exempt position in an educational facility which is open eight hours a day. This position works approximately ten months out of the year according to the academic calendar (late August to late June). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for special events or after school programming. In general, though, hours are Monday–Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.  

Compensation and Benefits: 

Compensation is dependent upon experience and degree obtained. 

At Quad Prep you’ll have access to a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; pre-tax transit and dependent care accounts; a 401K match and student loan repayment contributions (after one year of employment); and a range of professional development opportunities, including our First Year Support Program for all new facility and staff; our Leadership Development Institute for those wishing to gain supervisory experience; and a full tuition waiver for candidates wishing to participate in our annual Certificate Program in Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students. 

You’ll engage with your colleagues in our ongoing staff wellness groups, relax at our game nights and happy hours, and collaborate in meaningful work as a valued member of our voluntary groups, including our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce; our Staff Ambassador Program; and our Peer Mentorship Program. 

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's Degree 

• Proficiency with Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) techniques

• Master’s or Advanced Degree preferred but not required

Want to learn more about Quad Prep? Connect with us! 

***Note that all employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Medical and Religious Exemptions may be provided.***

ADA/AAP/EEO Statement: The Quad Preparatory School is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We take steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People and Culture department at peopleandculture@quadprep.org.

The Quad Preparatory School is based on an inclusive philosophy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, familial status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law in its hiring procedures and policies.