Career Center

About the department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. 

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community. 

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. 

Job Summary
 The Assistant Director of Student Services (ADSS) works closely with the Director of Student Services and the Learning and Counseling Department (L&C) to coordinate programs and services that support the success of students academically, socially, and emotionally across the Laboratory Schools.  They identify and assess the learning, development, and adjustment characteristics and needs of students, as well as the environmental factors that impact their learning.  They partner with L&C to plan, develop, and evaluate interventions and accommodations to maximize learning.  They support teachers in understanding learning differences and meeting the needs of students with learning differences. 

The ADSS will ensure that the school’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in all work and demonstrate a commitment to collaboration with faculty, staff, and families in promoting inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of all students.  The Assistant Director of Student Services reports to the Director of Student Services.

Responsibilities

• Develops and facilitates professional development programs in research-based strategies for supporting neurodiversity in the learning environment. 
• ­Maintains current knowledge base regarding research in neurodiversity to support L&C and teachers in the implementation of appropriate interventions and accommodations for students.
• Develops and implements systems to monitor and assess the effectiveness of interventions and accommodations. 
• Participates in staffing and goal-setting meetings in each division. ­
• Collaborates with the Director of Student Services and L&C to facilitate transitions between divisions for students with accommodations. ­
• Consults with school administrators, Director of Student Services, and L&C on student medical leaves of absence and crisis management.
• Consults with L&C in interpreting neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations and developing appropriate accommodations.
• Provides support to L&C in screening for early identification and intervention.
• Liaise with Chicago Public Schools Office of Private School Evaluations to facilitate new applications for IEPs and 504 plans and coordinate proportionate-share services and re-evaluations for current students with IEPs and 504 plans.
• Conducts neuropsychological evaluations for students referred by L&C, meeting specific criteria, during the summer months.
• Provides guidance and support to the Accommodations Coordinator. 
• Collaborates across divisions to ensure consistent implementation of process and policy related to student discipline, instructional support, academic programming and co-curricular activities.
• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. Emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in school psychology, psychology, learning disabilities, or education specialist degree.
• Doctorate in school psychology or psychology.

Experience:

• Experience as a school psychologist in a Nursery - ­12th grade school setting.
• Experience working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, religion,  ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language and nationality.
• Knowledge of learning processes and learning disabilities and appropriate instructional interventions. 
• Conducting neuropsychological and psycho-educational assessments and translating assessment results into empirically based recommendations for school-based accommodations.
• Developing and facilitating professional development programs.
• Teaching experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
• Federal state laws and regulations regarding students with disabilities.
• Instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles.

Certifications:

• Type 73 State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate with an Endorsement in School Psychology or comparable state license/certificate.

Preferred Competencies

• Agile and flexible.
• Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Strong knowledge of child development.
• Analytical skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Decision-making skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Computational skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Manage stressful situations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Think strategically.
• Understanding of adults, team dynamics, and relationships.
• Passion for lifelong learning, ability to share curiosity with others.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

About The University of Chicago, Laboratory Schools

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses all aspects of our curriculum, and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey—one of the great minds in education—established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today’s students still benefit from his vision, and today’s Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the fine...st employees—people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community. The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment AA/EOE Statement: The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-1841 or by email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request.

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Connections working at The University of Chicago, Laboratory Schools