Job Abstract

Geffen Academy at UCLA is a university-affiliated school for students in grades 6-12. We value academic depth and inspiration within a humane educational environment. Our community is guided by principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Geffen Academy students are encouraged to be questioners, analysts, and presenters, who are creative, collaborative, and active young adults. Our students practice their skills, competencies, and relationships with deliberation. Geffen Academy graduates believe that knowledge is beautiful, transformative, and relevant to one’s life and civic responsibility in a global community.

Geffen Academy educators approach teaching as an intellectual profession of the highest order, one in which knowledge is not only transmitted but created. Innovation is guided by our school’s mission to prioritize proven educational practices while also recognizing that teaching is a complex intellectual endeavor that defies rigid codification. Geffen Academy educators seek to create trusting and caring relationships with their students and with their larger community.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Dean of Faculty, the Science Department Chair at Geffen Academy will be responsible for the design of an excellent program of secondary school instruction. This work requires expertise in Science pedagogy. In addition to being a master educator, the Science Department Chair will lead in the creation of a course of study that takes advantage of Geffen Academy’s partnership with an eminent research university. The Department Chair will direct the recruitment and management of a team of educators with complementary skills and areas of expertise, so that the department offers a rich educational program responsive to the needs and interests of Geffen Academy's students.

The Department Chair is primarily responsible for overseeing the educational program of the department, which includes the department's vision, curricular scope and sequence, instructional approach/es, grading practices, and the growth, development and evaluation of the department's educators.

Core Functions & Duties:

• Articulate the department's strategies in achieving the mission and goals of the school and set departmental objectives, assessments, and policies accordingly in cooperation with members of the department.
• Prepare and analyze Geffen Academy’s 6-12 Science curriculum in the context of the University of California course approval requirements, the needs of the students, and the anticipated expectations of accrediting agencies.
• Ensure that Geffen Academy’s 6-12 Science course offerings remain both current and interconnected through an annual audit of the skills and content being taught.
• Build connections to various UCLA Science departments and broaden involvement in regional extracurricular Science programs to enhance the 6-12 curriculum and student experience.
• Evaluate department members in coordination with the appropriate Division Director and Dean of Faculty; propose continuing internal and external professional development activities for department colleagues based on assessments of their areas of strength and challenge.
• Oversee and manage teacher observation within the department which includes informal observations and the performance evaluation process.
• Meet regularly with the Dean of Faculty to discuss departmental needs and priorities, any departmental performance-related matters, and to collaborate on messaging and content for bi-weekly department meetings.
• Collaborate with the Dean of Instruction to develop instructional support plans for relevant department members.
• Purchase, organize and maintain Geffen Academy’s science equipment and supplies in collaboration with Geffen Academy’s facilities staff to ensure the completeness, appropriateness, and safety of Geffen Academy’s science classrooms.
• Communicate information about student progress to relevant student services colleagues, including but not limited to the Deans of Students, Academic Deans, Academic Advising & College Guidance, Registrar, Learning Specialist, and athletic team coaches.
• Represent or assign a representative of the department at Parent/Caretaker informational and/or recruitment events.
• As needed, assign educators as instructors/mentors/advisers of students’ independent projects.
• Orient new educators and establish appropriate mentoring relationships for all department members.
• Collaborate with the appropriate Division Director and Dean of Faculty to create Statements of Work for department members.
• Be available to students and parents/caretakers for any and all department related issues.
• Teach up to 3 course sections and provide student and family-facing feedback including comment writing and grading.

Additional Functions & Duties:

• Coordinate interdisciplinary instructional programs
• Lead the search for candidates to fill vacancies within the department.
• Participate productively as a member of the Department Chair group.
• Coordinate and oversee the department’s budget and the ordering of books, textbooks, and equipment. This includes managing these items (eg. collecting books at the end of the year, storing items and inventorying them when necessary).
• Designate, organize and track substitutions within the department and partner with the Faculty Services Coordinator as needed to track and maintain educator attendance and absences. Ensure timesheets are submitted per policy and procedure on a timely basis. Must verify integrity and accuracy of reports.
• Recommend to Academic Advisors the most suitable course(s) in the department for students.?
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of Science initiatives, communications, and extra-curricular opportunities and competitions within secondary schools in California and beyond.?
• This list of duties is not exhaustive.

• A Master’s degree in science or a science related field is required.
• Minimum of five years of experience in secondary education with three years of experience in a variety of managerial and supervisory roles within a secondary school.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to articulate and explain curricular and instructional choices and challenges to colleagues, students, administrators and families.
• Must be self-directed and able to effectively prioritize and handle multiple tasks subject to frequent interruption. Must be capable of developing and sustaining close, effective working relationships with colleagues in the department and across the whole school.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and implement appropriate and consistent safety policies and procedures as required by the UCLA Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) department, industry standards and as directed by the School Administration.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and implement all school Handbooks, the Geffen Academy MOU, UCLA policies and procedures and all other relevant standards and rules as directed.
• Ensure direct reports are compliant with Geffen Academy and UCLA policies and procedures.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.