Director of Academics – Secondary and Postsecondary Education

WORK YEAR:  Full-time, 260 days

SALARY:  RAA, D-7-2, $111,263 minimum

ABOUT THE POSITION:
Rochester Public Schools is hiring a Director of Academics – Secondary and Postsecondary Education to lead implementation of a comprehensive system of professional development, curriculum, instruction, and assessment for secondary and postsecondary schools.  This position fills a critical leadership role for the district while supervising a capable team of implementation specialists and instructional coaches.  In a typical day, this person might lead a PD session for a group of teachers, liaise with principals on curriculum needs, meet with a workgroup about evaluating and selecting curriculum, and assist a group of teachers with making meaningful decisions based on assessment results.
 
The Director will be critical in supporting implementation of a key initiative of the school district’s strategic plan, which can be found here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/about-us/rps-strategic-plan. 
 
Rochester Public Schools has joined a consortium of innovative school districts in the United States and Canada called the Deeper Learning Dozen that are committed to bring deeper learning to life for every student. The partners in the initiative conceptualize deeper learning as a series of educational experiences that combine mastery, identity, and creativity. For more on this emerging understanding of deeper learning, please visit the Deeper Learning Dozen’s website at https://www.deeperlearningdozen.org. In coordination with a team, the Director will play an important role in realizing this vision.
 
The successful applicant for the position will be:

• Comfortable working with teachers, principals, staff, families, and community members
• Enjoy teaching and assisting others in effectively using data to make instructional decisions
• Enjoy working with curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, and bringing them together in innovative ways
• Self-motivated and able to direct their own work.  

Rochester Public Schools recognizes that not every talent is backed by a resume that checks every box on our job description.  If you think you are right for the job, we still encourage you to apply.  We recognize that expertise is gained in many ways, and we strongly value diversity of life experiences.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Directs the planning and implementation of professional development opportunities for instructional staff
• Provide strong, direct instructional leadership and lead change in the schools and the district.
• Ability to facilitate the development, revision, and coordinates efforts for improved learning outcomes and staff development
• Develops positive relationships and initiates activities to maximize effective planning, programming, and cooperation among schools, district staff, the community at large, and institutions of higher education.
• Provides vision, direction, management and oversight for all aspects of the elementary and early childhood programs, including goals; budgets; curriculum; student assessment; program evaluation; data collection and analysis; school improvement plans; compliance; and the selection, allocation, development and supervision of personnel.
• Collaborates with District Cabinet members, Principals, Teachers and district staff.
• Maintains current knowledge of effective instructional strategies and practices that support, enhance program effectiveness, and results in better learning outcome
• Plans, organizes, leads and implements changes relating to curriculum, instructions, professional development and assessment.
• Responds to parent or staff concerns as needed to facilitate problem solving
• Comprehensive knowledge of the school district’s strategic plan;
• Ability to inform and collaborate with school administrators based on research;
•  Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor and assess new and/or current school-based programs; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community stakeholders, administrators, teachers, and staff.
• Provides direct supervision of instructional coaches and other related staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION: Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, education, or a related field required.
 
LICENSE: 
Must hold or be eligible for Minnesota Principal licensure.
 
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 

• Five years of successful experience implementing secondary and postsecondary educational programs. 
• Evidence of 5-10 years of progressively more responsibility and experience in classroom instruction, lead positions, curriculum development, and school administration within an urban school district.
• Served at least five years as a building principal.

 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in utilizing management skills, including success in critical thinking, and problem solving
• Demonstrated success at planning and organizing
• Demonstrated success working in a large diverse District
• Knowledge of Improvement Science and Implementation Science
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Commitment to Equity:
Rochester Public Schools is committed to diversifying its workforce to better reflect the community we serve. 
We believe the practices used in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, supporting, and promoting staff must include and honor, at every level, those who represent the diverse identities of our schools and community.
https://www.rochesterschools.org/equity-statement

Common and Shared Accountabilities for All Positions 
Employees of the Rochester Public School District #535 are expected to support the goals, model and promote an environment that is respectful for all, and work collaboratively with other staff to focus on the needs of the learner. A quality, customer focus that conveys a welcome attitude, an adaptability to change, and a desire for continuous improvement is also expected of all employees. In addition, staff are to respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the schools, and be dependable and accountable employees.

District Information:  To learn more about Rochester Public Schools, visit www.rochesterschools.org.