Job Description

The Director of Student Experience is a senior school leader responsible for cultivating a thriving, equitable, and supportive environment for all students at Rooted School (grades 7–12). This role provides strategic vision and day-to-day oversight of the school's core student-facing pillars: school culture, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), counseling, student support services, social work, and postsecondary readiness.

The Director serves as the connective tissue between academic achievement and whole-student wellness, ensuring that every Rooted School student is known, supported, and prepared for life beyond high school. This leader directly supervises department leads and coordinates with instructional leadership to create a seamless, mission-aligned experience from grade 7 through graduation.

1 | School Culture

• Champion a school-wide culture grounded in Rooted School's mission, values, and community identity
• Design and sustain traditions, rituals, and community events that build belonging across grades 7–12
• Lead student voice initiatives, student government, and co-curricular programming
• Analyze culture data (attendance, climate surveys, discipline trends) and drive responsive improvements
• Partner with families and community stakeholders to reinforce school values at home and in the community

2 | PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports)

• Lead the school-wide PBIS leadership team and set annual goals aligned to Tier 1, 2, and 3 frameworks
• Ensure consistent implementation of expectations, acknowledgment systems, and restorative practices school-wide
• Oversee behavior data collection, analysis, and reporting to leadership and the school board
• Facilitate professional development on trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, and de-escalation
• Ensure equitable application of PBIS across student groups, monitoring for disproportionality

3 | Counseling Services

• Supervise and support school counselors serving grades 7–12 in academic, social-emotional, and college/career domains
• Ensure counseling team implements a comprehensive school counseling program (ASCA framework)
• Develop and monitor counselor caseloads, scheduling support, and crisis response protocols
• Coordinate group counseling programming and classroom guidance curriculum
• Ensure confidentiality, compliance, and best practices in all counseling documentation

4 | Social Work

• Supervise school social workers and ensure high-quality, culturally responsive case management
• Oversee student and family needs assessments and connection to community-based resources
• Lead coordination with DCFS, community mental health agencies, housing, and other external partners
• Manage crisis intervention protocols and mandatory reporting compliance
• Support students in foster care, experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento), and other vulnerable populations

5 | Postsecondary Readiness

• Provide leadership and vision for Rooted School's postsecondary programming across grades 7–12
• Supervise college and career counselors and align programming to grade-level milestones
• Oversee college application support, dual enrollment, FAFSA/financial aid processes, and scholarship access
• Build and maintain partnerships with colleges, universities, employers, and workforce programs
• Track and analyze postsecondary outcome data (college acceptance, enrollment, persistence, career pathways)
• Design and implement career exploration, internship, and mentorship programming for middle and high school students

Requirements

Required

• Master's degree in school counseling, social work, educational leadership, or related field
• Minimum 3years of professional experience in a K–12 school setting
• Minimum 2 years in a supervisory or school leadership role
• Demonstrated knowledge of PBIS, MTSS, trauma-informed practices, and restorative justice
• Experience supporting postsecondary readiness programming at the secondary level
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with diverse communities
• Strong data literacy and experience using student information systems (e.g., Infinite Campus, PowerSchool)

Preferred

• Licensed School Counselor (LPC, LCPC, or state-equivalent) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Experience working in an urban, charter, or mission-driven school serving historically underserved students
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
• Familiarity with ASCA National Model for comprehensive school counseling programs