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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in more than 600 schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Reporting to Executive Director CPS Sports Administration and under the direction of the school administrator, the School Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program. 

The School Athletic Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Administering the extra-curricular athletic programs 

• • Supervises licensed and non-licensed staff in Athletics including Assistant Athletic Directors,coaches,trainers,and support staff. 

  • Maintains files and records required by policy, regulation,law and good practice. (Player record cards, Aspen-eligibility, physicals, transfer paperwork, transportation requests, coaching certifications)

  • Responds to requests for information. (From OSA, IHSA, FOIA, Title IX, Law Department, Colleges for recruiting, Press releases)

  • Implements board policies and advises the administration on regulatory matters related to athletics. 

  • Assesses department needs through consultation with students,staffandparents. (Equipment, budgeting, transportation, upgrades to venues, technology)

  • Evaluates the extra-curricular athletic programs and engagesin long-term planning. (Adding or dropping programs or levels, Title IX requirements, additional coaches or trainers)

  • Develops and updates handbooks, brochures and policy manuals.

  • Informs the school community about extracurricular athletic programs. (Through websites, emails, media, and social media)

  • Stay current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs. (Academic, Racial, Gender, and socio-economic issues in sport.)

  • Develop a grade check system for student athletes.

  • Maintains and assures that all eligibility reports and list of participation are submitted on a weekly basis. 

  • Develops and updates team schedules on all school platforms for public viewing. 

  • Oversees transportation for all team travel.

  • Develops a school safety plan for every home venue.

• Monitors and Supports Academic Performance of Student-Athletes
  
  

• • Oversees Individual Study Plan (ISP) process for academically at-risk student-athletes

  • Develops academic support mechanisms for benefit of student-athletes including but not limited to: study hall, advising, postsecondary guidance, etc.

• Directs and Coordinates the Fiscal Operations within the Departments
  
  

• • Engages in fiscal planning-both short and long-range. 

  • Assists in preparing and implementing the school system budget and coordinates department purchasing. 

  • Recommends capital improvements and negotiated contract agreements. 

  • Formulates specifications to be incorporated into contracts and bids. 

  • Serves as a consultant in the selection of supplies and materials. 

  • Supervises all ticket sales and fund-raising events of the athletic programs. 

  • Administers the receipt and disbursement of student activity funds. 

  • Assists OSA with hiring and payment of coaching staff.

  • Supervises and guides the planning and execution of all parent volunteer organizations. 

• Creates the Schedules for All Operations and Activities within the Departments
   

• • Issues timely announcements of up-coming events and deadlines. 

  • Schedules and pays officials, athletic trainers, ticket takers, announcers, clock operators and police for supervision of home contests. 

  • Hire, schedule and provide payment to lifeguards for all aquatic sports.

  • Arranges transportation for athletic contest participants. 

  • Verifies each athlete's eligibility for participation in each contest.. 

  • Arranges all details of visiting teams' needs, as appropriate. 

  • Provides for emergency health care and first aid treatment. 

  • Arranges field, gymnasium and aquatics center practice schedules, including
    arrangements for summer programs and non-school use of playing fields and
    facilities if applicable. 

  • Managing contracts for every athletic contest 

  • Coordinates with CPS for stadium usage

  • Coordinates with Chicago Park Districts to execute IGA’s for athletic facilities

• Recommends,Manages, Supervises,andEvaluates Staff
  
  

• • Recruits,screens,interviews and recommends prospective coaches. 

  • Makescoaching assignmentrecommendations. 

• Ensures all coaches and staff are CPS and State certification compliant

• Supervises and evaluates coaching staff and other athletic staff.

• Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system. 

• Supportsopportunities for professional development for the coaching staff. 

• Monitorsstafftimeandattendance at professionalmeetings. 

• Investigates complaints regardingemployeeconduct or performance. 

• Encourages the development and use of newstrategies and philosophies. 

• Provides staff leadership to promotethe athletic objectives of the district. 

• Assists coaches in the handling ofday-to-day problems. 

• Resolvesstaff problems and provides supporttocoaches. 

• Coordinates the Development, Implementation, Review,and Revision of the Extra-Curricular Athletic Program 

• Attends practices and gamesfor purposes of evaluation and needs assessment. 

• Attends professional conferences to keep abreast of promising instructional practices. 

• Enforces the State and City board policy on equal educational opportunity. 

• Develops an effectivecomprehensive and equal opportunities athletic program for all male and female students. 

• Advises on modification of programs to meet individual students academic and health needs. 

• Investigates complaints and grievances. 

• Participates in the work of state and national associations.

• Facilities Management: Manages and Develops Facilities 

• • Inspects buildings, grounds,machines and equipment.

  • Issues repair ordersandprovides specifications for maintenance of athletic facilities/fields. 

  • Determines safety and obsolescence of equipment.

  • Enforces compliance with occupational health and safety codes and standards. 

  • Oversees maintenance of swimming pools in a clean,safeand sanitary condition. 

  • Recommends watering and spraying schedules for school athletic fields. 

  • Orders and oversees repairs or replacement of defective parts. 

  • Assists in the development of specifications for construction projects. 

  • Assists in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program. 

  • Procure space for teams outside of CPS facilities

• Supervises Departmental Activities and Operations 

• • Coordinates public or special events. (Homecoming, Senior days, Award Ceremonies Fundraisers)

  • Supervises part-time student help including clinical hours. 

  • Develops and places into operation appropriate rules and regulations governing the  conduct of athletic activities. 

  • Oversees the implementation of the insurance program covering school athletes. 

• Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries.

• Works to resolve conflicts; anticipates and resolves potential problems. 

• Organizes,plans and coordinates departmental awards including recognition of alumni,former coaches and staff. 

• Public Relations: Establishes a Positive Image for Departments within the School and the Community 

• • Interacts,and aides in the development of feeder programs. 

  • Plans and supervises an annual recognition program for school athletes. 

  • Keeps records of the results of school athletic contests,maintains a record file of all award winnersandannouncement ofathletic scholarships. 

  • Conducts in season team meetings to review student code of conduct. 

  • Maintains appropriate professionalrelationships withparents, parentgroups(e.g.Athletic Boosters), school volunteers and outside agencies.

  • Respondsto requests forinformation. 

• OverseesSummer Athletic Programming. 

• • Overseesthe summer programmingto ensure State and City compliance. 

  • Performs other related duties as assigned forthe purposeof ensuringthe efficient and effective functioning of summer athletics.

In order tobe successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Athletic Director will possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university; Master’s degree and/or general administrative endorsement preferred

• NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in sports program administration and/or interscholastic sports

• Supervisory experience preferred 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.

• Ability to coordinate and manage all aspects of the athletic program, including financials. 

• Ability to motivate student athletes and coaches.

• Ability to make rational decisions under stressful conditions. 

• Proficiency using technology and applications, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Suite, and web content editing software . 

Other Requirements: 

• This role requires a non-traditional schedule which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school’s needs. Hours may change seasonally.

• Transportation requirements (do

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish and Maintain Chicago Residency 

Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. 

• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing

Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.