Job Description
Deadline:
August 3, 2026 District/Organization:
South Haven Public Schools Position/Type:
Other, full time Salary:
Commensurate with Experience Position Details Position/Job Title:
South Haven High School Dean of Students Classifications:
Administrative Qualifications:
Master's degree in Educational Leadership, School Administration, Counseling, or related field preferred. Valid Michigan teaching certificate and/or administrator certification preferred. Minimum of 3-5 years successful teaching or educational leadership experience preferred. Knowledge of restorative practices, student discipline procedures, MTSS, PBIS, and trauma-informed practices. Strong communication, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse student populations, families, and staff. Reports to:
South Haven High School Principal Position Summary:
The Dean of Students is a key school leader responsible for fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive. This position promotes a positive school culture by building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners while supporting student growth, well-being, and success. The Dean leads efforts to improve student behavior, attendance, engagement, and social-emotional development through proactive, restorative, and student-centered practices. Working collaboratively with administrators, teachers, counselors, and families, the Dean helps create the conditions for students to develop the skills that matter most in a rapidly changing world, including responsibility, resilience, collaboration, and empathy. This position balances accountability with support, ensuring that student conduct expectations, district policies, and intervention systems are implemented in ways that promote both individual growth and collective success. South Haven High School emphasizes integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence in its school culture. Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
Lead student discipline through a balanced approach that promotes accountability, restores relationships, and supports personal growth. Facilitate investigations related to student behavior, conflict, bullying, harassment, and policy violations with fairness, empathy, and a commitment to student well-being. Design and implement restorative and proactive intervention strategies that strengthen connections, build belonging, and address the root causes of behavior. Maintain accurate student discipline data and leverage insights to identify trends, inform decision-making, and improve systems of support. Oversee student discipline programs, including detention, in-school suspension, and behavior interventions, ensuring they provide opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth. Foster a school culture where every student feels safe, valued, respected, and empowered to contribute positively to the community. Monitor attendance, tardiness, and engagement patterns to identify barriers and provide timely support for students and families. Partner with families, counselors, educators, and community resources to strengthen attendance, engagement, and student success. Coordinate targeted interventions and wraparound supports for students facing academic, behavioral, or social-emotional challenges. Create conditions that encourage meaningful student participation in academics, athletics, leadership opportunities, and extracurricular experiences. Build authentic relationships with students and maintain a visible, approachable presence throughout the school, ensuring every learner feels seen, known, and supported. Foster meaningful family engagement by maintaining transparent communication and partnering with caregivers to support student success. Build and coordinate strategic partnerships with community agencies and support services to ensure students have access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and flourish. Support teachers and staff in creating learning environments where students can thrive by implementing effective classroom management practices, restorative approaches, and individualized interventions that promote both achievement and well-being. Contribute to the continuous improvement of the school by actively participating in collaborative planning, data-informed decision-making, and leadership team initiatives that advance student success and organizational effectiveness. Help cultivate a safe, positive, and connected school culture through visible leadership and relationship-building during arrival, dismissal, lunch periods, transitions, and extracurricular activities. Ensure compliance with district policies, state regulations, and student rights procedures. Support crisis response and emergency management efforts by helping lead coordinated, student-centered responses that prioritize safety, well-being, communication, and continuity of learning. Perform additional duties assigned by the Principal or Superintendent. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of high school administration, student development, and adolescent behavior. Knowledge of Michigan school laws, student rights, and disciplinary procedures. Knowledge of restorative practices, PBIS, MTSS, trauma-informed approaches, and other evidence-based systems that support student growth, belonging, and success. Knowledge of attendance improvement strategies, engagement practices, and interventions designed to remove barriers to student learning and graduation. Understanding of special education regulations, FERPA, mandated reporting requirements, and student confidentiality standards. Knowledge of crisis prevention, threat assessment, school safety procedures, and emergency response protocols. Familiarity with curriculum expectations, graduation requirements, and systems of academic and social-emotional support. Knowledge of culturally responsive practices, equity-centered leadership, and strategies that ensure all students have access to opportunities for success. Strong leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to navigate complex situations while keeping students at the center of decisions. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and build trust across stakeholder groups. Strong conflict resolution, mediation, restorative conversation, and de-escalation skills. Demonstrated ability to build positive, productive relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple initiatives effectively. Ability to analyze attendance, behavior, climate, and achievement data to identify trends, inform interventions, and support continuous improvement. Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset focused on solutions, innovation, and student success. Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond effectively to emerging needs, and adapt to change in a dynamic educational environment.. Proficiency with student information systems, discipline tracking systems, and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace applications. Public speaking and presentation skills for meetings, parent conferences, and student programs. Ability to maintain a positive and visible presence throughout the school community. Ability to supervise and support students in a fair, consistent, and respectful manner. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, build trust, and exercise sound professional judgment in complex situations. Ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, teachers, counselors, families, community organizations, law enforcement, and external partners to support student success. Ability to remain composed, solution-oriented, and professional during emergencies, crises, and challenging situations. Ability to analyze behavioral, attendance, and student engagement data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and develop targeted interventions. Ability to inspire and motivate students toward positive choices, personal accountability, resilience, and academic growth. Ability to build meaningful relationships that foster belonging, strengthen school culture, and support student well-being. Ability to balance high expectations with empathy, ensuring students are both supported and held accountable for their actions. Ability to implement restorative and student-centered practices that promote growth, responsibility, and positive school engagement. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for school events and activities. •Submit Application to: Amy Cockburn, High School Principal - acockburn@shps.org K elly Schriner, HR Specialist - kschriner@shps.org South Haven Public Schools 554 Green Street South Haven, MI 49090 A job application can be found at https://www.applitrack.com/shps/onlineapp/ Condition of Employment:
Fingerprinting is REQUIRED
for all new school employees. South Haven Public Schools shall not discriminate in its policies and practices with respect to compensation, terms or conditions of employment because of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"). E-mail:
kschriner@shps.org
