Director of School Improvements & Transformation (Education Program Manager II) - #24-005059-0002

Introduction

Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century.

With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

State Salary Grade 24 Salary Range : $95,798 - $160,555 *State Salary Guidelines apply for current State employees.

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building 200 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Director, Office of School Improvement and Transformation provides visionary leadership in the development and implementation of a state-wide system of support to local education agencies (LEAs) and private agencies to ensure that all students receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education.

The Director will support LEAs in operationalizing and deploying comprehensive policies and practices that provide high-quality instruction, support, and services to students to accelerate learning, especially for those who have been historically underserved, to improve the performance of its lowest performance schools;

and in support of MSDE’s implementation of the multiyear strategic plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

POSITION DUTIES

• Oversees the identification, accountability, and funding of Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) Schools, providing the tools, templates, and resources needed to develop improvement and sustainability plans that identify measurable benchmarks toward meeting annual targets and exit criteria.
• Collaborates with the school improvement team and LEAs to design and facilitate high-quality professional learning to build LEA capacity to develop and implement evidence-based, equitable, and best-in-class programs, services, instructional practices, and policies.
• Spearheads MSDE’s collaboration and coordination with diverse communities and stakeholders to analyze programs and strategies that promote and sustain evidence-based and culturally responsive practices for schools.
• Leads the team and LEAs toward accomplishing student achievement targets in close collaboration with other offices and in developing and implementing school improvement best practices, evidence-based strategies.
• Manages and leads School Support Managers and School Support Coordinators, to ensure thorough program administration and excellent customer service and engagement with the internal and external stakeholders, including local education agency staff.
• Responds to inquiries regarding CSI and ATSI schools by providing ongoing, timely, and accurate communication between district and state leadership and coordinates professional development for CSI, ATSI, and other low performing schools.
• Develops and nurtures a collective vision across LEA Networks for sustaining student improvement, increasing the achievement of all students, while also reducing academic disparities within student groups.
• Oversees the allocation, administration, implementation, and monitoring of 1003(a) school improvements grants to LEAs.
• Collaborates with the Division of Financial Policy, Planning, Operations, and Strategy to review and approve CSI and ATSI formula calculation and for developing the State’s ESSA Plan to allocate appropriate funding to CSI and ATSI schools.
• Develops and maintains highly effective working relationships with MSDE staff, LEAs, various government agencies, and professional associations and convenes stakeholder groups to collaborate on reviewing and providing recommendations for the root cause analysis and improvement plan of CSI and ATSI schools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education : A Bachelor’s degree in education or a related area from an accredited college or university. Experience : Five years of experience in coordinating or administering education programs or services, including two years of experience directly related to School Improvement or Title I, Part A.

Experience must include one year of supervising professional education program staff. Notes : Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in Education, Education Administration Supervision, or a related area for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.

The required field of education and experience are unique for this posting and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Office of Human Resources. Candidates may substitute U.

S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal / Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education, one year of which must have been in an administrative supervisory or consultative capacity.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

One year of experience leading school improvement.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Knowledge of Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI).

Knowledge of school improvement research, evidence-based practices, and comprehensive school reform strategies. Knowledge of the design and development of the process and materials to support the School Improvement process and the state and federal guidelines and compliance.

Skill in managing Title I or other federally funded grant programs. Skill in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating educational programs, especially those focused on producing high-quality outcomes for historically disadvantaged students.

Skill in coaching and developing individuals and teams to reach short- and long-term goals. Skill managing, leading, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating education programs.

Skill in providing high-quality and service-level-based support and technical assistance for education programs. Skill collaborating with diverse communities and organizations for the purpose of implementing programs and strategies.

Skill in developing and delivering research-based and best-in-class professional development programs. Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines and set clear and high expectations while holding teams accountable to those expectations.

Ability to interpret and apply learning standards, policies, and regulations. Ability to work as a team member and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified.

The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one year.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must complete the MD State Government online application for employment and submit their professional resume. The application and resume must clearly demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the position.

Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume.

Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W.

Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application.

Postmarks will not be accepted. Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850.

TTY Users : Call via Maryland Relay. Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.

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