Department Lead Language

Position: Department Lead for World Language
Position Type:
World Language/Department Chair

Date Posted:
3/23/2026

Location:
Homewood-Flossmoor High Community High School
POSITION:
Department Lead for World Language

START DATE: July 1, 2026

LENGTH: 225-day contract

SALARY: $104,000 - $130,000 (based on experience)

DESCRIPTION:

The Department Lead reports directly to the principal and or designee. The Department Lead provides leadership and direction for all departmental instructional programs including professional development. The Department Lead serves as an advisor to the Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development.

MAJOR POLICY RESPONSIBILITY:

The Department Lead is responsible for ensuring that all instructional programs are administered in concert with the policies established by the Board of Education and the state and federal governments. The Lead is also expected to make recommendations to the principal for policy creation, revision, and deletion as related to his/her department.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Curriculum and Instruction:

Authority/Responsibility - Supervise the development, implementation, and evaluation of equity-centered and culturally responsive curriculum and instructional programs.

Representative Activities

Leads the development, implementation and monitoring of curriculum in department

Build the capacity of department faculty to implement recommended instructional practices that promote high learning outcomes for all students in a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment.

Monitors the departmental data and assessments to help ascertain the quality of the instructional program through common assessments

Articulates curriculum with elementary districts and post-secondary institutions.

Research and stay up to date on recommended practices in subject area content, grading and reporting practices, social-emotional learning standards, and standards-based learning.

Selects and recommends instructional resources for adoption to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Promote continuous improvement of student learning through effective PLC structures.

Departmental Leadership:

Authority/Responsibility - Provide instructional leadership that promotes the district's vision, mission, and strategic priorities.

Representative

Activities:

Leads an equity-centered vision for teaching and learning in the department

Leads regular meetings to improve the instructional program.

Fosters a sense of community and belonging to increase the psychological safety of faculty and staff

Serves as the department liaison in the areas of complaint management, conflict resolution, and academic inquiries

Participates in local, state and national organizations related to the academic area and curriculum and instruction

Develops PLC/Collaborative Team Leads within the department based on school PLC practices

Serves as the EL Coordinator for the district:
Identifies and places EL students correctly, oversees bilingual/ESL services, manages ACCESS/WIDA and exit decisions, ensures parent notices, records, and reporting are compliant, supports staffing and professional development, and serves as the district compliance lead with ISBE.

Personnel:

Authority/Responsibility - Supervise all personnel activities within the department.

Representative

Activities:

Evaluates, supervises and makes departmental employment recommendations.

Recruit, hire, and retain staff using processes that promote equity, diversity, inclusion and transparency.

Proactively manage workload assignments for faculty and staff members,

Recommends, implements and evaluates professional learning programs for departmental faculty and staff.

Coordinates the placement of student teachers and clinical observations within the department.

Provides staff with multiple opportunities for growth.

Operational Management:

Authority/Responsibility - Coordinate the development of day-to-day operational tasks and departmental resources.

Representative

Activities:

Works with department faculty to identify departmental budget needs and recommends budget requests to the Principal, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development, and CSBO.

Manage departmental budget, resources, and facilities effectively, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Provide two-way communication that fosters continuity among departments, department Leads, and administration.

Facilitate solution-oriented strategies to address the day-to-day operations of the department

Manage procedural operations of the department to ensure compliance with institutional policies, procedures, deadlines, and record keeping.

* Other duties as assigned by supervisor, and/or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Illinois Professional Education License with General Administrative or Principal endorsement required.
• Qualified evaluator certification required.
• Extensive knowledge of a variety of instruction/curricular (world language) programs and best practices.
• Knowledge of federal, state…