Laboratory Schools: Assistant Director of Student Services

Department

Lab School Student Services

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Student Services (ADSS) is pivotal to advancing Lab’s mission of honoring diversity, ensuring that every student, regardless of how they learn, feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. They bring Lab’s Theory of Action to life by connecting research to the classroom, ensuring that Curriculum and Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion, and SEL are woven together to support the academic, social, and emotional development of every student.

In collaboration with school leadership and the Learning and Counseling Department (L&C), the ADSS helps develop and sustain systems that support student achievement. This includes leading the school’s neurodiversity initiatives, overseeing the formal accommodations process, and leveraging student data to evaluate and enhance support services. As a primary resource for faculty and a supportive partner for families, the ADSS helps foster a collaborative community where every student has the tools they need to thrive.

The Assistant Director of Student Services reports to the Director of Student Services.

Responsibilities

• Lead school-wide neurodiversity initiatives by translating current research into best practices and facilitating professional development on inclusive instructional strategies. 

• Lead the strategic implementation of a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to ensure equitable access and growth for all students across N-12th grade. 

• Oversee all stages of the formal accommodations process, including the interpretation of neuropsychological evaluations,  drafting of support plans, and coordination of annual reviews.

• Establish and maintain systems for analyzing student support data, utilizing progress indicators to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

• Participate in divisional staffing and goal-setting meetings to ensure aligned support across  N-12th grade.

• Partner with L&C and divisional administration to facilitate student transitions between divisions, ensuring accommodations and support services continue without interruption.

• Act as an administrative resource for families in resolving complex questions regarding the scope and implementation of accommodations.

• Act as the primary point of contact for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) regarding IEP/504 applications, and the coordination of  proportionate-share services.

• May conduct educational assessments during summer months for students referred by L&C who meet specific criteria.

• Provide guidance and support to the Accommodations Coordinator. 

• Collaborates across divisions to ensure consistent implementation of process and policy related to student discipline, instructional support, academic programming and co-curricular activities.

• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. Emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in Special Education, School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or a related field.

Certifications:

• Learning and Behavior Specialist or School Psychologist certification.

Experience:

• Experience in a school leadership or administrative role, providing direct support to student services or special education programs.

• Experience with creating and facilitating professional development workshops to foster a culture of continuous instructional growth and collaborative practice.

• Experience as a school psychologist in a Nursery - ­12th grade school setting.

• Teaching experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Understanding of neurodiversity and learning processes, with experience in applying research-based instructional interventions and neurodevelopmental frameworks to enhance student learning outcomes across diverse populations.

• Ability to read and interpret neuropsychological and educational evaluations and translate them into clear, actionable individual support plans.

• Proven ability to leverage student performance data to refine instructional support strategies and ensure evidence-based decision-making in N-12 learning environments.

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.

• Knowledge of diversity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.

• Strong knowledge of course subject matter.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies.

• Strong knowledge of child development.

• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools.

• Analytical skills.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Decision-making skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Organizational skills.

• Computational skills.

• Creativity.

• Verbal and written communication skills.

• Interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required.

• Ability to manage stressful situations.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.).

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• Professional References (3) (required)

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$96,587.50 - $125,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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