School Athletic Director

The School Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program. Reporting to the Principal and under the direction of the Executive Director, Sports Administration, the School Athletic Director will be held accountable for the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program. The School Athletic Director will be responsible for administering the extracurricular athletic programs, activities, and events, and will be accountable for the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.

What You Will Do

The School Athletic Director will be responsible for the following responsibilities: administering the extracurricular athletic programs, activities, and events; maintaining files and records required by policy, regulation, law, and best practice; responding to requests for information; implementing board policies and advising the administration on regulatory matters related to athletics; assessing department needs through consultation with students, staff, and parents; evaluating the extracurricular athletic programs and engaging in long-term planning; developing and updating handbooks, brochures, and policy manuals in alignment with OSA and other District policies and procedures; informing the school community about extracurricular athletic programs; staying current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs; developing, implementing, and maintaining a grade check system for student athletes; maintaining and ensuring that all eligibility reports and lists of participation are submitted on a weekly basis; developing and updating team schedules on all school platforms for public viewing; overseeing transportation for all team travel; developing a school safety plan for every home venue; overseeing the implementation of the insurance program covering school athletes; completing incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries; organizing, planning, and coordinating departmental awards, including recognition of alumni, former coaches, and staff; coordinating athletic public or special events; monitoring and supporting academic performance of student-athletes; overseeing Individual Study Plan (ISP) process for academically at-risk student-athletes; developing academic support mechanisms for the benefit of student-athletes; directing and coordinating the fiscal operations within the department in consultation with the principal and in alignment with OSA and other District policies, guidelines, and procedures; supporting the principal in athletics-related fiscal planning and making recommendations to the principal on athletics budgets, purchases, and capital improvements and contract agreements related to athletics; assisting in preparing, monitoring, and managing the athletics budget and implementing the school system budget; coordinating department purchasing; recommending capital improvements and negotiated contract agreements; formulating specifications to be incorporated into contracts and bids; serving as a consultant in the selection of supplies and materials; supervising all ticket sales and fund-raising events of the athletic programs; administering the receipt and disbursement of student activity funds; assisting OSA with hiring and payment of coaching staff; supervising and guiding the planning and execution of all parent volunteer organizations; creating the schedules for all operations and activities within the departments; issuing timely announcements of up-coming events and deadlines; scheduling and paying officials, athletic trainers, ticket takers, announcers, clock operators, and police for supervision of home contests; hiring, scheduling, and supervising lifeguards for all aquatic sports; coordinating timely payment by ensuring all hours are submitted and approved through the timekeeping system; arranging transportation for athletic contest participants; verifying each athlete's eligibility for participation in each contest; arranging all details of visiting teams' needs, as appropriate; providing for emergency health care and first aid treatment; arranging 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; coordinating with CPS for stadium usage; coordinating with Chicago Park Districts to execute IGA's for athletic facilities; recommending, supervising, and evaluating staff (e.g., athletic support, trainers, Board employees who coach) and volunteer coaches; recruiting, screening, interviewing, and recommending prospective coaches; making coaching assignment recommendations; ensuring all coaches and staff are CPS and State certification compliant and have been properly cleared through the volunteer process or are actively staffed stipend-eligible employees prior to each season; supervising part-time student help including clinical hours; developing and applying a coaching evaluation system; supporting opportunities for professional development for the coaching staff; monitoring staff time and attendance at professional meetings; investigating complaints regarding employee conduct or performance; encouraging the development and use of new strategies and philosophies; providing staff leadership to promote the athletic objectives of the district; assisting coaches in the handling of day-to-day problems, providing on-site support and supervision during games, athletic events, after-school practices; resolving staff problems and providing support to coaches; coordinating the development, implementation, review, and revision of the extracurricular athletic program; attending practices and games for purposes of evaluation and needs assessment; attending professional conferences to keep abreast of promising instructional practices; enforcing the State and City board policy on equal educational opportunity; developing an effective comprehensive and equal opportunities athletic program for all male and female students; advising on modification of programs to meet individual students' academic and health needs; investigating complaints and grievances; participating in the work of state and national associations; supporting facilities management and day-to-day facility operations; maintaining athletic facilities and ensuring all premises are properly locked and secured after daily use and events; inspecting buildings, grounds, machines, and equipment; issuing repair orders and providing specifications for maintenance of athletic facilities/fields; determining safety and obsolescence of equipment; enforcing compliance with occupational health and safety codes and standards; overseeing maintenance of swimming pools in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition; recommending watering and spraying schedules for school athletic fields; ordering and overseeing repairs or replacement of defective parts; assisting in the development of specifications for construction projects; assisting in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program; procuring space for teams outside of CPS facilities; establishing a positive image for departments within the school and the community; interacting and aiding in the development of feeder programs; planning and supervising an annual recognition program for school athletes; keeping records of the results of school athletic contests, maintaining a record file of all award winners, and announcing athletic scholarships; conducting in-season team meetings to review student code of conduct; maintaining appropriate professional relationships with parents, parent groups (e.g., Athletic Boosters), school volunteers, and outside agencies; responding to requests for information; and performing other duties as assigned.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The School Athletic Director will be a fit for this role if they have a strong understanding of relevant athletic administration rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; exceptional organizational and time management skills; the ability to interact and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences; the ability to coordinate and manage all aspects of the athletic program, including financials; the ability to effectively recruit and motivate student athletes and coaches; the 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; and the ability to work in a non-traditional schedule which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school's needs, which may change seasonally.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university
• NIAAA Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) preferred
• Completion of Developing Competitors and Mental Wellness through Positive Coaching offered through the Positive Coaches Alliance- preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in interscholastic sports (e.g., coaching, athletic program administration), including a minimum of (3) years of experience in sports program administration (E.g., responsibilities encompassing two or more of the larger, primary responsibilities above; athletic director, athletic program coordinator, etc.)
• Supervisory experience preferred

Benefits

• Reliable transportation
• Successful completion of all Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) trainings
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong understanding of relevant athletic administration rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; exceptional organizational and time management skills; 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 effectively recruit and 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