ESL Department Head

Omaha Public Schools • Omaha, NE

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The ESL Department Head at Northwest High School reports to the Building Principal and works a 188-day schedule plus 9 additional duty days. This is an exempt, full-time position with a salary commensurate with experience and education, plus 5% of the regular teaching salary. The role is considered a teaching position and not an administrative one for state reporting purposes. The Department Head will promote a safe and conducive school environment, serve on the building leadership team, monitor and coordinate instruction, assist with teacher evaluations, manage department supplies, supervise substitutes, and provide new teacher orientation. They will also promote continuous curriculum and instructional improvements, work collaboratively with the Principal and Administrative Team, and maintain the district's overall mission. This role requires strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents, and the community. The position also involves specific responsibilities related to English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, including instructional leadership, student placement and scheduling, assessment and progress monitoring, program coordination, and family/community engagement.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in education related fields.
• A valid Nebraska Teaching Certificate with applicable area endorsements.
• Endorsement in ESL Required.
• Minimum of four years successful teaching experience.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the philosophy, purpose and function within an urban school district.
• Demonstrates an empathy for helping to lead a strong diverse urban educational environment.
• Demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Demonstrated record of success which exemplifies instructional leadership, standards of academic excellence and personal integrity.
• Knowledge of current educational trends/issues impacting the high school.
• Skills in building and maintaining strong relationships with students, staff, parents, administration and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment including appropriate handling of all confidential matters with a minimum of supervision.
• Exemplary problem solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated technology skills and experience with software including Infinite Campus, Microsoft Suite.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.
• Verification of a valid Nebraska Teaching License or other required license.
• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).
• Execution and delivery to OPS of a Teacher Contract presented by OPS.

Nice To Haves

• Endorsement in the area of administration and supervision or curriculum and instruction for secondary education preferred.
• Successful teaching experience in a multicultural diverse urban setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists in Implementing Board policies and the Academic Action Plan School wide for the staff and students.
• Ability to make plans, schedules, decisions, and solve problems with only general direction.
• Ability to recognize, encourage and stimulate professional growth and initiative on the part of the staff.
• The skills pertinent to positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with all staff, students, parents, administrators and the community.
• A willingness and demonstrated abilities conducive to a continuous quest for quality education.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.
• Promote a school environment that is safe and conducive to student learning.
• Serve as a member of the building leadership team.
• Monitor the delivery, coordination, and articulation of instruction in area(s) assigned.
• Adjusts to events, processes and behaviors which disrupt daily routines.
• Works extended hours, including evening activities, to meet job demands.
• Assists with teacher evaluation procedures and teachers as assigned by building principal.
• Inventories, monitors and requests department supplies, materials and equipment.
• Supervises the work of substitute teachers.
• Provides for new teacher orientation and staff in-service needs.
• Promote continuous curriculum and instructional improvements.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal, Administrative Team, and school staff to best meet the educational needs of the student population based on individual student needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal and Administrative Team in conducting, coaching visits and providing feedback for continuous growth to staff.
• Works collaboratively with the Principal and Administrative Team in guiding decision making and problem solving in relation to student, family, or team needs.
• Maintain the District’s overall mission; assist in supporting and implementing board policies and the academic action plan school wide with students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members.
• Maintain the School’s overall mission; assist in supporting and implementing school guidelines with students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members.
• Demonstrates the promotion of life-long learning by participating in pertinent professional development in both the academic curriculum as well as cultural proficiency and awareness of understanding diversity.
• Maintain effective communication with all supporting divisions within the Omaha Public School district as well as students, staff, parents/guardians and community members.
• Communicates with a wide range of job-required personal contacts in a constructive, professional manner.
• Serves as a positive, mature role model.
• Meets regular and predictable attendance requirements.
• Prepares special and/or routine reports and letters of correspondence.
• The skills pertinent to positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, members of the instructional staff and the community.
• Teach a minimum of one block per day of an EL-designated course.
• Provide instructional coaching and support for EL teachers and Core+ teachers to ensure effective strategies for multilingual learners.
• Collaborate with curriculum specialists and school leadership teams to align EL instruction with district standards and goals.
• Review EL class rosters for accuracy and placement; coordinate schedule changes with curriculum specialists and counseling.
• Maintain and update the Pending List weekly to ensure timely testing, placement, and submission of forms to the EL Placement Office.
• Work with liaisons and counselors to screen and schedule new EL enrollments throughout the year.
• Collaborate with EL department to identify students ready for level changes at semester; submit recommendations to counseling.
• Assist with master scheduling : review course requests, determine sections, and collaborate with department chairs and counselors to resolve conflicts.
• Monitor EL students’ academic progress and attendance monthly; identify students needing additional support.
• Coordinate ACT and Pre-ACT accommodations for EL students: run reports, collect consent forms, enter accommodations into TAA system, and assist with testing.
• Create and manage ELPA21 testing schedule; coordinate training, test prep, and administration.
• Complete ELPA21 Goal Setting forms with students and ensure teachers utilize practice tests for preparation.
• Review ELPA21 test results and celebrate student successes.
• Orient TLC students and coordinate freshman first-day activities; ensure handbook presentations and signed cards.
• Apply for ESL tutoring funding and set up after-school tutoring programs.
• Collaborate with SPED and district personnel to support dual-coded ESL/SPED students, monitor IEPs, and attend meetings.
• Ensure compliance with district and state requirements for EL program processes, including data cleanup and secure handling of testing materials.
• Communicate schedule changes and program updates to families; coordinate with liaisons for home calls as needed.
• Notify families regarding NLL registrations and confirm attendance.
• Run reports for EL monitoring, dual-coded students, and ACT/Pre-ACT accommodations.
• Maintain accurate records for scheduling, placement, and assessment throughout the year.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Benefits

• Salary Schedule: Commensurate with experience and education plus 5 percent of the regular teaching salary/ As outlined in applicable negotiated agreement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level