Department Chair - Science

Position Type:
Department Chair

Date Posted:
4/1/2026

Location:
Proviso West High School

Date Available:
SY26-27

Closing Date:
Until Filled
Position Title: Department Chair
Classification (FLSA):
Full-time, Exempt
Position Group:
Teacher
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Union Membership:
Proviso Teachers Union, Local 571, AFL-CIO
Reports to:
Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Building Principal and/or designee
Anticipated Work Year & Hours*: 180 Days, plus five (5) workdays immediately preceding the first regularly scheduled teacher workday each school year.
Department Chairs shall receive a minimum of two (2) regularly scheduled periods of released time daily to perform their duties and responsibilities, as defined in the job description. Based on the operational needs of the District and at the sole discretion of the Superintendent, a Department Chair may be granted up to a maximum of three (3) released periods per day.

The number of released periods assigned to each Department Chair is not required to be uniform across all departments and may vary depending on departmental scope, size, or other relevant factors, as determined by the Superintendent
Term:  School Year)

General Description
The Department Chair is a critical role dedicated to elevating instructional quality, fostering professional growth among educators, and driving continuous improvement in student achievement. The Department Chair collaborates with site and district leadership to support a standards-based curriculum, foster effective instructional strategies, and coordinate departmental programs and resources.

Minimum Required Qualifications
Employees are responsible for obtaining/retaining the most current statutory and administrative rule requirements for their position.

• Education/Training:
  Minimum of a Master's Degree
• Licensure:
  Valid Illinois Professional Educators License (PEL) for grades 9 12
• Endorsement:
  In subject area of the department
• Experience:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of exemplary classroom teaching experience in area of discipline, demonstrating a deep understanding of effective instructional practices.
  • Demonstrated understanding of and compliance with District policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Desired Qualifications

• General Administrative endorsement
• Doctorate degree in a relevant field
• ESL or Bilingual Certification (Grades 9 12)
• Special Education Endorsement (LBS1)
• Multiple subject-area endorsements within the department
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
• Experience teaching diverse levels of coursework
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, and instructional initiatives
• Ability to design and deliver interactive presentations for large and small groups and to coach colleagues in effective instructional strategies
• Capacity to critically evaluate and enhance the quality of education within one's discipline
• Strong understanding of data-driven instruction and assessment, with proven ability to analyze student data to support teaching
• Excellent verbal, written, and public-speaking skills
• Proficiency with educational and presentation technologies
• Sensitivity to and effectiveness in working with a diverse school and community
• Ability to foster growth, motivate colleagues, and build a positive, organized learning environment
• Documentable leadership ability and success working in challenging environments
• Willingness to fully participate in all district curriculum and instruction initiatives and projects
• Broad, up-to-date knowledge and experience in one's discipline, with a commitment to lifelong learning
• Enthusiastic, open, and organized approach to teaching and collaboration

Department Chair Position Responsibilities

Curriculum Development & Instructional Leadership

• Continuous, effective articulation within and throughout the department.
• Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing revision of department curriculum to ensure alignment with state standards, district goals, and feeder-school programs.
• Develop and review formative and summative assessments that accurately measure student learning outcomes.
• Model exemplary instructional practices through demonstration lessons, co-teaching, and…