About this role
Position: Dean of Culture
Status: Full-Time; Monday-Friday, 45 hours per week
Reports To: Site Director
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center (Vaughn), located in Pacoima, is a large urban public charter school authorized by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In 1993, Vaughn became the first conversion charter school in the nation. Today, Vaughn is a full-service, community-based TK-12 public charter school serving approximately 2,900 students across multiple campuses.
Vaughn is committed to ensuring that all students are college and career ready, digitally literate, and globally competent. The school emphasizes academic achievement, character development, strong relationships, and a positive school community.
In addition to its TK-12 program, Vaughn operates a State Preschool Center serving preschool-aged children and their families. The preschool program provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment focused on school readiness, early literacy, language development, social-emotional growth, and family engagement.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Dean of Culture is responsible for supporting and strengthening a positive, safe, structured, and inclusive school culture that creates the conditions for student learning and success. The Dean works closely with students, families, teachers, counselors, and administrators to promote positive behavior, reinforce school-wide expectations, address student behavior concerns, and implement school-wide systems that support student success.
The Dean plays a key role in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Restorative Practices, social-emotional learning, and other school climate initiatives. The position requires strong relationship-building, organization, sound judgment, consistent follow-through, and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to student behavior and crisis situations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. School Culture, Climate, and Student Behavior
- Supports the development and maintenance of a positive, safe, respectful, and structured school environment.
- Reinforces school-wide rules, policies, behavioral expectations, and standards of conduct in and outside the classroom.
- Implements and supports school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in alignment with Vaughn's Discipline Policy.
- Supports the development and implementation of a three-tiered behavioral support system at the school site.
- Applies appropriate incentives, interventions, and consequences consistent with Vaughn's Discipline Policy and established school procedures.
- Supports the development of site-specific practices and procedures that align with Vaughn's Discipline Policy.
- Promotes student character development, positive decision-making, accountability, and habits of success.
- Advocates for regular opportunities to recognize and celebrate student academic, behavioral, and personal accomplishments.
2. Restorative Practices and Social-Emotional Learning
- Supports the implementation of Restorative Practices as part of the school's approach to student behavior and community building.
- Helps develop and implement school-specific social-emotional learning and community-building activities.
- Supports the use of Circles with student and staff, restorative conversations, and other proactive approaches to resolving conflict and strengthening relationships.
- Conducts or supports workshops and learning experiences for staff, students and families related to behavior, school culture, conflict resolution, and other relevant topics.
- Provides classroom coaching and modeling, as appropriate, to support teachers in implementing PBIS, Restorative Practices, Circles, and other positive behavior strategies.
3. Student Behavior Intervention and Support
- Assists administrators in responding to student behavior concerns and determining appropriate interventions.
- Reviews student behavior patterns and consults with administrators, teachers, counselors, and other staff regarding appropriate interventions.
- Utilizes behavioral data to identify trends, determine areas of need, and inform interventions, including alternatives to suspension when appropriate.
- Participates in Student Success and Problem-Solving Teams (SSPTs), 504 meetings, IEP meetings, and other student support meetings when appropriate, particularly for students with significant or ongoing behavioral concerns.
- Serves as a resource to teachers and staff regarding student behavior management, de-escalation, conflict resolution, and positive behavior strategies.
- Facilitates student, parent, and teacher conferences related to student behavior and school concerns.
- Makes referrals to appropriate internal and external school or community resources, support services, and social service agencies when appropriate.
4. Student Safety, Crisis Response, and Incident Management
- Responds to student behavior and school crisis situations as necessary.
- Ensures that student rights are respected and protected through appropriate and respectful communication and the use of effective de-escalation strategies.
- Uses nonviolent crisis intervention strategies when required and consistent with school training and procedures.
- Investigates and follows up on student incidents in coordination with school administration and other appropriate personnel.
- Supports appropriate reporting, documentation, and follow-up related to student incidents.
- Maintains appropriate records and documentation related to student behavior interventions and incidents.
- Provides supervision and support for students on campus before, during, and after school as assigned.
5. Data, Documentation, and Program Monitoring
- Oversees and maintains the school's student behavior referral and intervention tracking systems.
- Ensures behavioral data is collected, documented, and maintained accurately and consistently.
- Reviews data to identify trends, recurring concerns, and opportunities for school-wide or individual interventions.
- Provides relevant data and information to school leadership and staff to support decision-making and program improvement.
- Maintains appropriate student behavior, intervention, and incident documentation in accordance with school procedures and applicable requirements.
6. Staff Training, Collaboration, and Professional Development
- Provides training, direction, and ongoing support to staff implementing PBIS, Restorative Practices, and other school culture initiatives.
- Collaborates with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other staff to address student behavior and school climate concerns.
- Participates in staff development and professional learning related to school culture, student behavior, Restorative Practices, PBIS, and related topics.
- Engages in ongoing professional development and collaboration to strengthen knowledge and skills related to student behavior and school culture.
- Participates in meetings and activities with the Vaughn Mental Health Team and other school teams as assigned.
7. Family and Community Engagement
- Builds positive and productive relationships with students, families, staff, and community members.
- Facilitates communication and conferences with parents and guardians regarding student behavior and school concerns.
- Reinforces Vaughn's mission, values, and expectations with students, families, staff, and community members.
- Supports partnerships with community resources and organizations when appropriate to address student and family needs.
8. Professional Responsibilities
- Models professionalism, sound judgment, consistency, and a commitment to student success.
- Demonstrates optimism, high expectations, and a belief in the ability of every student to succeed.
- Participates in Governing Committees, staff development, and other school activities as assigned.
- Collaborates effectively with school leadership and other departments.
- Serves as admin designee as needed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and respond appropriately to sensitive student matters.
- Ability to remain calm and effective during challenging or crisis situations.
- Ability to analyze behavioral data and use information to inform interventions and school-wide practices.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, disability, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Working knowledge of computer applications and educational technology.
- Commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and collaboration.
- Willingness to work beyond the regular school day when necessary to support school operations and student success.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Valid California Single Subject or Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
- At least three years of classroom teaching experience.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Master's degree in Education or a related field.
- Administrative or school leadership experience.
- Training or experience in Restorative Practices.
- Experience implementing PBIS or other school-wide positive behavior systems.
- Experience implementing school discipline and student behavior intervention programs.
- Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
- Experience using student behavior and other school data to identify trends and inform interventions.
- Experience working with community organizations, youth programs, social service agencies, or other community partners.
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
- Experience supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, social, and educational needs.
- Experience conducting research, gathering data, and using information to support staff development and student programs.
- Ability to use technology and student information systems to support intervention and decision-making.
- Experience providing guidance or support to students related to behavior, conflict resolution, or school success.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare clear documentation and reports.
- Poise, tact, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to the education and success of all students.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- $74,959.25 - $113,975.64
- 184 Days per year
- Eligible for competitive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
- 100% employer covered life insurance
- 100% employer covered long-term disability insurance
- Access to Vaughn Perks, an employee benefits hub with access to discounts and services
- 10 Sick Days per year (accrued on a per payroll basis)
- CalSTRS contribution for CalSTRS-eligible positions
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Upon receiving an offer of employment:
- Must pass a criminal background check (Live Scan) with the Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Must provide a Tuberculosis skin test (Mantoux) clearance within 60 days of employment
- Will be assigned mandated state training to be completed prior to the first day of employment
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected basis under the law. Equal opportunity shall be provided to all employees and applicants in every aspect of personnel policy and practice. Vaughn does not discriminate against persons with disabilities who, with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question