Senior Program Officer of K-12 School Programs
The Department of Education and Early Learning's (DEEL) mission is to eliminate opportunity gaps by preparing students for kindergarten, improving academic achievement, ensuring students graduate prepared for college and career, and successfully engage in post-secondary opportunities. To help achieve this goal, DEEL administers the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP). The Levy has been renewed by City Council five times, most recently in 2019. As part of the department's mission, DEEL funds the K-12 School Based Programs Initiative.
The School-Based Programs Initiative has a longstanding history of investing directly in Seattle schools to improve achievement outcomes for underserved Seattle students. To ensure the success of this initiative, we are looking for a Senior Program Officer with high level management skills responsible for the implementation of all aspects of the School-Based awards in Seattle schools. You will be responsible for achieving the School-Based investment outcomes set forth in the FEPP Levy and providing leadership and strategy development for the DEEL School-Based Programs Initiative, including enhancing grantee partnerships and support, and developing strong collaborations with education partners to achieve Citywide goals for Seattle students.
You will also serve as a key advisor on the nature and scope of these School Based Programs to the Mayor and City Council and to City Department heads. You will advise, present, and defend policy recommendations to elected officials, executive decision makers, department directors, the Levy Oversight Committee, the Seattle School Board, and other agencies involved in policy related to K-12 education. The department strives to embed the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff that value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity.
Here is more of what you'll be doing:
Providing Initiative Leadership and Strategy Development:
- Leading the strategic development and implementation of the K-12 School-Based Programs Initiative to achieve Levy outcomes
- Maximizing system-wide academic achievement results for Seattle students by administering and setting key milestones for the K-12 investment portfolio. This includes establishing performance goals across elementary, middle, and high school programs to achieve positive outcomes for racially diverse and underserved student populations
- Providing organizational and instructional leadership, direction, and supervision to the K-12 School Based Programs Team, consisting of three Levy funded school-based employees charged with providing direct support to Levy funded schools for the successful implementation of School Based investments in Seattle schools
- Overseeing the development and implementation of contractual agreements and performance plans with grantees to monitor and report the overall impact on student achievement in schools
- Supporting school leaders in the implementation of effective data-driven practices and accountability structures and initiating course corrections and actions that lead to improved student outcomes and school-wide performance
Grantee Partnership and Support:
- Guiding the direction of the School Programs Team to effectively coach and advise grantee partners, including the negotiation of performance milestones to support grantee partner success
- Oversee the public relations/school relations activities on behalf of the City of Seattle with the purpose of maintaining strong alliances and partnerships
- Conducting due diligence and recommending grantee partners with effective track records, internal capacity, and strategic skills
- Preparing and contributing to written materials, reports, and presentations that communicate the School Based Programs portfolio goals and strategies, including investment policy recommendations and context papers
- Convening grantees and others in the field to advance collective action, networking, and learning opportunities for partners
- Design protocols for K-12 and Seattle school partnership projects; to include the convening for committees of school, community leaders, and specialized experts
- Remaining well-informed of the current research, activities, and trends in the issues addressed by grantees
Collaborating with Colleagues to Execute Citywide Education Goals:
- Collaborating with City of Seattle departments to coordinate with and contribute to projects and relationships that may connect to Early Learning, K-12, and postsecondary student success
- Developing and managing strategic relationships at multiple levels with school building leaders, central administration, and regional and field leaders, sharing insights with colleagues to improve alignment and achievement of Levy-specific outcomes for students
Qualifications
You will be most successful if you have demonstrated significant experience in school-based or district administration or supervision, including previous teaching experience. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. You will need to be skilled in fostering and developing mutually respectful relationships, achieving amenable solutions for those with competing interests, and fostering a collaborative approach to problem solving. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have:
The ability to:
- Provide leadership, focus, direction, and facilitation to multidisciplinary, cross-sector workgroups
- Communicate and collaborate across all levels to accomplish goals
- Develop and monitor performance-based contracts
- Develop program recommendations and policy options for senior management
- Manage projects and issues while maintaining excellent customer service
- Demonstrate excellent analytical skills
Experience in:
- School administration, management, and/or instructional leadership
- Using qualitative data to inform program and policy decisions
- Communicating to internal and external audiences as a representative of elected officials or executives on significant issues related to priority programs and services for the purpose of garnering support, shaping opinions, advocating controversial positions, and achieving important educational outcomes
- Working in and conducting effective outreach in diverse communities
- Improving educational climate, culture, and teaching practices through professional development in middle and high schools
- Working with students from low socioeconomic, immigrant, and/or emergent bilingual backgrounds
Knowledge of:
- Evidence-based and promising best practices in elementary, middle, and high school education, especially those that support student achievement among students performing below standard on academic assessment
- Elementary, middle, and high school educational issues and mechanisms to enhance educational equity
- School finance and administrative processes
- How cultural differences affect college planning for first-generation and racial/ethnically diverse student populations
Additional Information
This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, Exempt and is exempt from the Civil Service System. You will need to be able to work a flexible schedule, as attendance at some evening and weekend meetings will be required. DEEL supports the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism by eliminating barriers to access, providing the staff and public with opportunities for growth, and developing equitable access to the programs and services we offer. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, we invite you to apply for this position. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/education to learn more about the Department of Education & Early Learning.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered for this position, you must submit your application, attaching both a cover letter and resume no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The Department of Education & Early Learning values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Education & Early Learning encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.