Director of Student Services - HS 9th - 12th (DAC)

Director of Student Services (9-12th Grade)

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is currently recruiting exceptional candidates for the position of Director of Student Services (9-12th grade). This is a 12 month position starting on 07/01/2026. COMPENSATION: The recommended candidate for this position will receive a regionally competitive salary range of $120,000-$128,000 depending on educational background and experience. BENEFITS: Full-time Associates enjoy a robust selection of healthcare benefits including employer paid Life and AD&D insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), as well as three medical plans to choose from including PPO and HMO plans. What's more, SD 308 currently provides a deductible reimbursement program for medical expenses (excluding ER services), when an employee is enrolled in our PPO plan and uses our RUSH Healthcare reimbursement program. Prospective employees can learn more on the District website.

Location: District Administration Center

Division / Department: Student Services

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Level / Grade: Certified Administrator

Type of Position: Full-time

Hours / Work Year: Exempt / 12 Month

Mission Statement

Together, we empower, support, and motivate all students to thrive along their unique educational journey.

About the District

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is a Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade unit school district that serves the communities of Oswego, Aurora, Joliet, Montgomery, Plainfield, and Yorkville. The District is the 7th largest public school district in Illinois and serves nearly 17,000 students. The community of Oswego, IL is 68 square miles and located approximately 46 miles west of Chicago, IL within an easy commute to all the recreational and cultural activities the city has to offer.

General Description

The Director of Student Services is a leadership role responsible for advancing cohesive, systemwide student services practices across schools that foster a positive, safe, and supportive school environment, while designing and monitoring systems to support the academic, behavioral, social-emotional success of students in our school district.

Performance Responsibilities

• Collaborates with school leadership teams (by level) to design, deliver, and sustain high-quality professional learning aligned to Strategic Plan objectives, district initiatives, and identified building needs to ensure coherence across the K-12 system
• Advises and supports building leaders and district administrators on complex, student-centered matters including discipline, attendance, crisis response, equity considerations, and multi-tiered systems of support
• Responds to and resolves parent/guardian concerns by facilitating timely communication, clarifying expectations, and ensuring consistent, policy-aligned decision-making across schools
• Serves as a mentor and instructional leader for building administrators through coaching cycles, problem-solving consultations, and differentiated capacity-building support tailored to experience level and role fostering strong partnership and leadership alignment between district and building administration
• Leads communication with families and school teams regarding student discipline through School Code, Board policy, and Student Rights and Responsibilities while emphasizing due process, fairness, and consistency
• Designs and supports districtwide behavior systems including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, and prevention/intervention programming to strengthen school climate and reduce exclusionary outcomes, ensuring alignment across grade levels
• Designs, implements, and continuously monitors districtwide attendance and truancy systems to ensure consistent procedures, accurate documentation, and legally compliant interventions; advances comprehensive attendance improvement strategies through ongoing data analysis, targeted supports, and strong partnership with building leaders to reduce chronic absenteeism
• Supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of district and building-level crisis response and emergency operations plans; provides coordinated district-level crisis support, including consultation, on-site response, coordination of supports, and follow-up planning with school teams and families
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders on threat assessment processes to strengthen prevention, ensure timely interventions, and support safe, supportive learning environments, while ensuring district-level oversight and consistency
• Monitors attendance boundary exception processes to ensure consistency, appropriate approvals, and accurate recordkeeping
• Supports residency verification and compliance processes by collaborating with enrollment teams, families, and relevant departments to ensure adherence to district requirements and applicable law
• Serves as a Title IX Investigator by conducting prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations, maintaining documentation, coordinating supportive measures, and ensuring procedural compliance under the guidance of the Title IX Coordinator
• Collects, analyzes, and validates student services data to inform decision-making and support accurate local student information system reporting; collaborates in the preparation and submission of state and federal reports by coordinating inputs and verifying data integrity
• Designs and delivers professional development for district and building administrators (EC-12+) aligned to student services priorities, discipline practices, attendance systems, crisis response, legal updates, and emerging trends
• Available before and after school hours to monitor and/or respond to district and building-level emergency or crisis situations
• Performs other duties as assigned to support district priorities, operational needs, and student success

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Education or Leadership with a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative or Principal endorsement
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in student services and/or school administration
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of current educational practices including social emotional learning, student behavior and restorative practices
• Strong work ethic, and ability to maintain high standards of professionalism at all times
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties under stress and produce high-quality work while adhering to strict deadlines
• Sound understanding of the principles and best practices associated with school district budgeting and financial management
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to adapt to changing educational environments and priorities
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to student well-being and support services in schools
• Strong work ethic, and ability to maintain high standards of professionalism at all times
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties under stress and produce high-quality work while adhering to strict deadlines
• Sound understanding of the principles and best practices associated with school district budgeting and financial management
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Prioritizes equity and rightful presence.

Competencies

The following competencies are representative of specific skills, abilities, and attributes that must be demonstrated to perform this job successfully.

• Analytical Skills: Synthesizes complex or diverse information. Collects and researches data. Uses intuition and experience to complement data. Identifies data relationships and dependencies. Designs workflows and procedures.
• Communications: Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally. Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form. Exhibits good listening and comprehension. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Conflict Resolution: Encourages open communications. Confronts difficult situations. Maintains objectivity. Keeps emotions under control. Uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.
• Planning & Organization: Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources. Integrates changes smoothly. Sets goals and objectives. Works in an organized manner.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions. Resolves problems in early stages. Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions. Includes appropriate people in decision making process. Makes timely decisions.
• Managing People: Provides direction and gains compliance. Includes subordinates in planning. Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities. Makes self available to subordinates. Provides regular performance feedback. Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Puts success of team above own interests.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee