School Athletic Director (ESP) 

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Reporting to the Principal and under the direction of the Executive Director, Sports Administration, the School Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program. 

The School Athletic Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Administers the extracurricular athletic programs, activities, and events 

  • Maintains files and records required by policy, regulation, law and best practice (Player record cards, Aspen-eligibility, physicals, transfer paperwork, transportation requests, coaching certifications)

  • Responds to requests for information (From OSA, IHSA, FOIA, Title IX, Law Office, colleges for recruiting, press releases)

  • Implements board policies and advises the administration on regulatory matters related to athletics 

  • Assesses department needs through consultation with students, staff and parents (equipment, budgeting, transportation, upgrades to venues, technology)

  • Evaluates the extracurricular athletic programs and engages in long-term planning (adding or dropping programs or levels, Title IX requirements, additional coaches or trainers)

  • Develops and updates handbooks, brochures and policy manuals in alignment with OSA and other District policies and procedures; Develops and places into operation appropriate rules and regulations governing the conduct of athletic activities 

  • Informs the school community about extracurricular athletic programs (through websites, emails, media, and social media)

  • Stays current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs (academic, racial, gender, and socio-economic issues in sports)

  • Develops, implements, and maintains a grade check system for student athletes

  • Maintains and ensures that all eligibility reports and list of participation are submitted on a weekly basis 

  • Develops and updates team schedules on all school platforms for public viewing 

  • Oversees transportation for all team travel

  • Develops a school safety plan for every home venue

  • Oversees the implementation of the insurance program covering school athletes 

  • Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries

  • Organizes, plans and coordinates departmental awards including recognition of alumni, former coaches and staff

  • Coordinates athletic public or special events. (Homecoming, Senior days, Award Ceremonies Fundraisers)

• Monitors and supports academic performance of student-athletes
  
   

  • Oversees Individual Study Plan (ISP) process for academically at-risk student-athletes

  • Develops academic support mechanisms for benefit of student-athletes including but not limited to study hall, advising, postsecondary guidance, etc.

• Directs and coordinates the fiscal operations within the department in consultation with the principal and in alignment OSA and other District policies, guidelines, and procedures 
  
   

  • Supports 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 

  • Assists in preparing, monitoring, and managing the athletics budget and implementing the school system budget; Coordinates department purchasing 

  • Recommends capital improvements and negotiated contract agreements 

  • Formulates specifications to be incorporated into contracts and bids 

  • Serves as a consultant in the selection of supplies and materials 

  • Supervises all ticket sales and fund-raising events of the athletic programs 

  • Administers the receipt and disbursement of student activity funds 

  • Assists OSA with hiring and payment of coaching staff

  • Supervises and guides the planning and execution of all parent volunteer organizations 

• Creates the schedules for all operations and activities within the departments
   

  • Issues timely announcements of up-coming events and deadlines 

  • Schedules and pays officials, athletic trainers, ticket takers, announcers, clock operators and police for supervision of home contests 

  • Hire, schedule and supervise lifeguards for all aquatic sports; Coordinate timely payment by ensuring all hours are submitted and approved through the timekeeping system 

  • Arranges transportation for athletic contest participants 

  • Verifies each athlete's eligibility for participation in each contest 

  • Arranges all details of visiting teams' needs, as appropriate 

  • Provides for emergency health care and first aid treatment 

  • Arranges field, gymnasium and aquatics center practice schedules, including
    arrangements for summer programs and non-school use of playing fields and
    facilities if applicable 

  • Manages contracts for every athletic contest 

  • Coordinates with CPS for stadium usage

  • Coordinates with Chicago Park Districts to execute IGA’s for athletic facilities

• Recommends, supervises, and evaluates staff (E.g., athletic support, trainors, Board employees who coach) and volunteer coaches) and student workers
  
   

  • Recruits, screens, interviews and recommends prospective coaches 

  • Makes coaching assignment recommendations

  • Ensures 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

  • Supervises and evaluates coaching staff and other athletic staff

  • Supervises part-time student help including clinical hours 

  • Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system 

  • Supports opportunities for professional development for the coaching staff 

  • Monitors staff time and attendance at professional meetings 

  • Investigates complaints regarding employee conduct or performance 

  • Encourages the development and use of new strategies and philosophies 

  • Provides staff leadership to promote the athletic objectives of the district 

  • Assists coaches in the handling of day-to-day problems, providing on site support and supervision during games, athletic events, after-school practices 

  • Resolves staff problems and provides support to coaches 

• Coordinates the development, implementation, review, and revision of the extracurricular athletic program 

• Attends practices and games for purposes of evaluation and needs assessment 

• Attends professional conferences to keep abreast of promising instructional practices 

• Enforces the State and City board policy on equal educational opportunity 

• Develops an effective comprehensive and equal opportunities athletic program for all male and female students 

• Advises on modification of programs to meet individual students academic and health needs. 

• Investigates complaints and grievances 

• Participates in the work of state and national associations

• Supports facilities management and day-to-day facility operations

  • Maintains athletic facilities and ensures all premises are properly locked and secured after daily use and events

  • Inspects buildings, grounds, machines and equipment

  • Issues repair orders and provides specifications for maintenance of athletic facilities/fields 

  • Determines safety and obsolescence of equipment

  • Enforces compliance with occupational health and safety codes and standards 

  • Oversees maintenance of swimming pools in a clean, safe and sanitary condition 

  • Recommends watering and spraying schedules for school athletic fields 

  • Orders and oversees repairs or replacement of defective parts 

  • Assists in the development of specifications for construction projects 

  • Assists in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program 

  • Procure space for teams outside of CPS facilities

• Establishes a positive image for departments within the school and the community 

  • Interacts, and aides in the development of feeder programs 

  • Plans and supervises an annual recognition program for school athletes 

  • Keeps records of the results of school athletic contests, maintains a record file of all award winners and announcement of athletic scholarships 

  • Conducts in season team meetings to review student code of conduct 

  • Maintains appropriate professional relationships with parents, parent groups (e.g. Athletic Boosters), school volunteers and outside agencies

  • Responds to requests for information 

• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Athletic Director will possess the following qualifications:

Required Education:

• 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  

Required Experience:

• 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 

Other Requirements: 

• This role requires a non-traditional schedule which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school’s needs, which may change seasonally; Start, end, and lunch period times are designated by the Principal, and the standard schedule must provide after-school coverage for athletic practices, games, and events

• Access to reliable transportation for is required

• Successful completion of all Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) trainings is required  

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  

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish and Maintain Chicago Residency 

Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.