secondary-school-department-head/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — secondary school department head

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 11-9032.00 (Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary).

Task statements

• [Core] Plan and lead professional development activities for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
• [Core] Participate in special education-related activities, such as attending meetings and providing support to special educators throughout the district.
• [Core] Meet with federal, state, and local agencies to stay abreast of policies and to discuss improvements for education programs.
• [Core] Coordinate and direct extracurricular activities and programs, such as after-school events and athletic contests.
• [Core] Create school improvement plans, using student performance data.
• [Core] Review and approve new programs, or recommend modifications to existing programs, submitting program proposals for school board approval as necessary.
• [Core] Prepare, maintain, or oversee the preparation and maintenance of attendance, activity, planning, or personnel reports and records.
• [Core] Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavior or learning problems.
• [Core] Prepare and submit budget requests and recommendations, or grant proposals to solicit program funding.
• [Core] Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• [Core] Organize and direct committees of specialists, volunteers, and staff to provide technical and advisory assistance for programs.
• [Core] Teach classes or courses to students.
• [Core] Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity programs.
• [Core] Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
• [Core] Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• [Core] Set educational standards and goals, and help establish policies and procedures to carry them out.
• [Core] Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
• [Core] Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
• [Core] Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement.
• [Core] Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment, and authorize purchases.
• [Core] Write articles, manuals, and other publications, and assist in the distribution of promotional literature about facilities and programs.
• [Core] Recommend personnel actions related to programs and services.
• [Core] Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
• [Core] Determine the scope of educational program offerings, and prepare drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
• [Supplemental] Plan, coordinate, and oversee school logistics programs, such as bus and food services.
• [Supplemental] Mentor and support administrative staff members, such as superintendents and principals.
• [Supplemental] Direct and coordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities.
• [Supplemental] Advocate for new schools to be built, or for existing facilities to be repaired or remodeled.
• [Supplemental] Develop partnerships with businesses, communities, and other organizations to help meet identified educational needs and to provide school-to-work programs.
• [Supplemental] Establish, coordinate, and oversee particular programs across school districts, such as programs to evaluate student academic achievement.
• [Supplemental] Review and interpret government codes, and develop programs to ensure adherence to codes and facility safety, security, and maintenance.
• [Supplemental] Collect and analyze survey data, regulatory information, and data on demographic and employment trends to forecast enrollment patterns and curriculum change needs.

Detailed work activities

• Advise others on business or operational matters.
• Advise others on career or personal development.
• Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.
• Analyze forecasting data to improve business decisions.
• Approve expenditures.
• Collaborate with other professionals to develop education or assistance programs.
• Conduct employee training programs.
• Conduct opinion surveys or needs assessments.
• Coordinate operational activities with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate special events or programs.
• Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.
• Develop educational goals, standards, policies, or procedures.
• Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
• Develop organizational policies or programs.
• Develop promotional materials.
• Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
• Direct facility maintenance or repair activities.
• Direct organizational operations, projects, or services.
• Establish interpersonal business relationships to facilitate work activities.
• Evaluate program effectiveness.
• Evaluate student work.
• Hire personnel.
• Maintain knowledge of current developments in area of expertise.
• Maintain personnel records.
• Manage outreach activities.
• Perform human resources activities.
• Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
• Prepare forms or applications.
• Prepare operational budgets.
• Prepare operational progress or status reports.
• Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding.
• Promote products, services, or programs.
• Recommend organizational process or policy changes.
• Recruit personnel.
• Schedule activities or facility use.
• Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
• Supervise employees.
• Support the professional development of others.
• Teach classes in area of specialization.