Education OPT Jobs in Illinois

School Athletic Director

Job Number: 260002CO
Posting Date: Sep 11, 2026, 11:46:25 AM
Primary Location: West Side-2345 South Christiana Avenue (David G Farragut Career Acad)
Position Type: Union Position

JOB DESCRIPTION -

Description - External

Athletic Director

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 students across 500 schools and employing nearly 36,000 staff members, most of whom are teachers. CPS has ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. To fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments: high-quality, rigorous instruction; talented and empowered educators; safety and support; economic stability; and collective impact.

Reporting to the Executive Director of CPS Sports Administration and under the direction of the Building Principal, the Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.

The Athletic Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Administering the extra-curricular athletic programs

• Supervises licensed and non-licensed staff in Athletics, including Assistant Athletic Directors, coaches, trainers, and support staff.
• Maintains files and records required by policy, regulation, law, and good practice. (Player record cards, Aspen-eligibility, physicals, transfer paperwork, transportation requests, coaching certifications)
• Responds to requests for information. (From OSA, IHSA, FOIA, Title IX, Law Department, Colleges for recruiting, Press releases)
• Implements board policies and advises the administration on regulatory matters related to athletics.
• Assesses department needs through consultation with students, staff, and parents. (Equipment, budgeting, transportation, upgrades to venues, technology)
• Evaluates the extra-curricular athletic programs and engages in long-term planning. (Adding or dropping programs or levels, Title IX requirements, additional coaches or trainers)
• Develops and updates handbooks, brochures, and policy manuals.
• Informs the school community about extracurricular athletic programs. (Through websites, emails, media, and social media)
• Stay current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs. (Academic, Racial, Gender, and socio-economic issues in sport.)
• Develop a grade-check system for student-athletes.
• Maintains and assures that all eligibility reports and lists of participation are submitted weekly.
• Develops and updates team schedules on all school platforms for public viewing.
• Oversees transportation for all team travel.
• Develops a school safety plan for every home venue.

Monitors and Supports the Academic Performance of Student-Athletes

• Oversees Individual Study Plan (ISP) process for academically at-risk student-athletes.
• Develops academic support mechanisms for the benefit of student-athletes, including but not limited to: study hall, advising, postsecondary guidance, etc.

Directs and Coordinates the Fiscal Operations within the Departments

• Engages in fiscal planning, short and long-range.
• Assists in preparing and implementing the school system budget and coordinates department purchasing.
• Recommends capital improvements and negotiated contract agreements.
• Formulates specifications to be incorporated into contracts and bids.
• Serves as a consultant in the selection of supplies and materials.
• Supervises all ticket sales and fundraising events of the athletic programs.
• Administers the receipt and disbursement of student activity funds.
• Assists OSA with hiring and payment of coaching staff.
• Supervises and guides the planning and execution of all parent volunteer organizations.

Creates the Schedules for All Operations and Activities within the Departments

• Issue timely announcements of upcoming events and deadlines.
• Schedules and pays officials, athletic trainers, ticket takers, announcers, clock operators, and police for supervision of home contests.
• Hire, schedule, and pay lifeguards for all aquatic sports.
• Arranges transportation for athletic contest participants.
• Verifies each athlete's eligibility for participation in each contest.
• Arranges all details of visiting teams' needs, as appropriate.
• Provides emergency healthcare and first aid treatment.
• Arranges field, gymnasium, and aquatics center practice schedules, including arrangements for summer programs and non-school use of playing fields and facilities, if applicable.
• Managing contracts for every athletic contest.
• Coordinates with CPS for stadium usage.
• Coordinates with the Chicago Park District to execute IGAs for athletic facilities.

Recommends, Manages, Supervises, and Evaluates Staff

• Recruits, screens, interviews, and recommends prospective coaches.
• Makes coaching assignment recommendations.
• Ensures all coaches and staff are CPS and State certification compliant.
• Supervises and evaluates coaching staff and other athletic staff.
• Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system.
• Supports opportunities for professional development for the coaching staff.
• Monitors staff time and attendance at professional meetings.
• Investigates complaints regarding employee conduct or performance.
• Encourages the development and use of new strategies and philosophies.
• Provides staff leadership to promote the district's athletic objectives.
• Assists coaches in the handling of day-to-day problems.
• Resolves staff problems and provides support to coaches.

Coordinates the Development, Implementation, Review, and Revision of the Extra-Curricular Athletic Program

• Attends practices and games for evaluation and needs assessment purposes.
• Attends professional conferences to stay up-to-date on promising instructional practices.
• Enforces state and City board policies on equal educational opportunity.
• Develops an effective, comprehensive, and equal opportunities athletic program for all male and female students.
• Advises on modification of programs to meet individual students' academic and health needs.
• Investigates complaints and grievances.

Facilities Management: Manages and Develops Facilities

• Inspects buildings, grounds, machines, and equipment.
• Issues repair orders and provides specifications for maintaining athletic facilities and fields.
• Determines the safety and obsolescence of equipment.
• Enforces compliance with occupational health and safety codes and standards.
• Oversees maintenance of swimming pools in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.
• Recommends watering and spraying schedules for school athletic fields.
• Orders and oversees repairs or replacement of defective parts.
• Assists in the development of specifications for construction projects.
• Assists in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program.
• Limited facilities, which require the athletic directors to procure space for teams outside of CPS facilities.

Supervises Departmental Activities and Operations

• Coordinate public or special events. (Homecoming, Senior Days, Award Ceremonies, Fundraisers)
• Supervises part-time student help, including clinical hours.
• Develops and implements appropriate rules and regulations governing the conduct of athletic activities.
• Oversees the implementation of the insurance program covering school athletes.
• Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries.
• Works to resolve conflicts; anticipates and resolves potential problems.
• Organizes, plans, and coordinates departmental awards, including recognition of alumni, former coaches, and staff.

Public Relations: Establishes a Positive Image for Departments within the School and the Community

• Interacts and aids in the development of feeder programs.
• Plans and supervises an annual recognition program for school athletes.
• Keeps records of the results of school athletic contests, maintains a record file of all award winners, and announces athletic scholarships.
• Conducts in-season team meetings to review the student code of conduct.
• Maintains appropriate professional relationships with parents, parent groups (e.g., Athletic Boosters), school volunteers, and outside agencies.
• Responds to requests for information.
• Oversees Summer Athletic Programming.
• Oversees the summer programming to ensure State and City compliance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of summer athletics.

Education and Credentials Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or University in Education.
• NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in sports program administration and/or interscholastic sports.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to coordinate and manage all aspects of the athletic program, including financials.
• Ability to motivate student athletes and coaches.
• Ability to make rational decisions under stressful conditions.
• Proficiency using technology and applications, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Suite, and web content editing software.

Other Requirements:

• This role requires a non-traditional schedule which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school’s needs. Hours may change seasonally.
• Transportation requirements (do they need a valid driver’s license? Access to a car or just reliable transportation?)

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish and Maintain Chicago Residency
  Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing
  Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.