Department Chair - Science/Technology & Engineering

CATS Academy Boston•Braintree, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department Chair at CATS Academy Boston provides academic leadership and administrative oversight for their specific department. This role is a dual-responsibility position, combining high-quality college-preparatory instruction with the supervision, mentorship, and performance management of departmental faculty. The Department Chair is responsible for ensuring curriculum alignment, conducting teacher observations, managing departmental schedules, and leading the hiring process to maintain the Academy’s high academic standards for our global student body. As a key academic leader, the Department Chair is required to complete essential preparatory and administrative tasks over the summer months; they are expected and responsible for ensuring departmental readiness, curriculum updates, and staffing alignment prior to the start of the academic year. The Science and Technology & Engineering Department Chair will be expected to be a teacher for hands on classes and a lead coach for First Tech Challenge Robotics Team. This role will teach courses in: Intro to Robotics, Intro to Electronics, Foundations of AI, 2D and 3D Design and Fabrication. An experienced teacher will act as a mentor to the person hired for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject area required
Minimum of five years of teaching experience preferred
At least two years in a leadership or supervisory role preferred
Experience working with international students and English language learners is strongly preferred
Experience with Fundamental Principals of Electronics, Robotics, Code.org curriculum
Experience with hardware such as 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics, Arduino microcontrollers
Fluency in software programs such as Autodesk Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Inscape, Arduino IDE
Proven ability to observe, evaluate, and coach teachers to improve instructional outcomes.
Strong organizational skills for managing schedules, budgets, and departmental resources.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with a diverse international community.
Deep commitment to student safety and the mission of a global boarding school.
Flexibility and adaptability to meet the unique scheduling demands of a boarding school.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Massachusetts teaching license not required but preferred
CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain) preferred
ideally in an independent or boarding school environment

Responsibilities

Supervise departmental teachers, providing ongoing mentorship and professional guidance.
Conduct regular classroom observations and provide formal and informal feedback to faculty to ensure high-quality instruction.
Lead the Performance Management process for the department, including annual reviews and goal-setting sessions.
Oversee the recruitment and hiring of new faculty, including resume screening and participating in interview panels.
Coordinate the departmental teaching schedule and room assignments in collaboration with the Dean of Academics.
Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging lessons that meet CATS Academy standards.
Lead the development and maintenance of unit plans and course materials to ensure alignment across the department.
Review and approve departmental assessments and grading practices to ensure consistency and rigor.
Facilitate departmental meetings to discuss instructional strategies, student progress, and curriculum innovation.
Work with other Department Chairs to create interdisciplinary lessons and school-wide academic projects.
Serve as a point of escalation for student behavior or academic concerns within the department, communicating with the Dean of Academics or families as needed.
Serve as a mentor/advisor to a group of students as part of the Academy’s advisory program as needed.
Support the residential life program by fulfilling one 3-hour dormitory shift per semester and supervising one weekend activity to foster student safety and community engagement.
Actively participate in and lead extracurricular or club activities, providing mentorship and social development opportunities for students outside the classroom.
Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment that honors cultural diversity.
Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to the strategic academic planning of the Academy.
Participate in faculty meetings, department meetings, and required professional development sessions.
Dedicate necessary time during the summer break to finalize departmental hiring, update curriculum maps, and coordinate with the Dean of Academics for master schedule alignment.
Engage with families and community members to promote student success.
Maintain knowledge of current educational best practices, trends, and instructional methods.
Uphold CATS Academy’s safeguarding policies and comply with Massachusetts child protection laws.
Serve as a role model for students by demonstrating professional and ethical behavior.
Participate in committees, task forces, and curriculum development projects.
Adhere to all Academy policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.