An analysis of the department chair role to determine the extent of role ambiguity and role strain inherent in the job is the purpose of this report. Methodology is based on structured interviews with 56 department chairs in 9 high schools in one district and content analysis of written job descriptions. The findings identify six factors of role ambiguity and strain in the department chair's job: equivocal job descriptions; conflicting functions; vague goals; lack of agreement by role senders; ineffective professional development opportunities; and inadequate resources. Recommendations propose rewriting job descriptions and providing staff development opportunities and sufficient resources to support the department chair. The appendix includes a copy of the interview guide. (15 references) (LMI)