Director, Career Academy

Position Overview

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a key component of DCPS’s effort to increase student achievement, on-time graduation rates, and readiness for postsecondary success.

In collaboration with a DC-wide CTE Task Force and the National Academy Foundation (NAF), DCPS is launching career academies in at least six schools, with a planning phase during 2013 14 and a launch in 2014 15.

The academies will implement rigorous, integrated CTE programs of study, through a small learning community committed to supporting students.

Furthermore, an active set of invested partners from industry and higher education will provide a robust continuum of work-based learning opportunities culminating in compensated internships.

Each academy will be staffed by a full-time Director, Career Academy and a full-time Coordinator, Career Academy. The Director, Career Academy is responsible for implementing a high-quality academy, including overall academy management and administration, program and staff development, curriculum, student recruitment and early career awareness programming, fiscal management, data / evaluation / reporting, and marketing / public relations.

The Director, Career Academy is the key liaison with an overarching Career Academy structure, including the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), DCPS’s CTE office, the National Academy Foundation (NAF), the Academy Advisory Board, and school-specific industry / higher education partners.

The Director also directly supervises the Coordinator, Career Academy. This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

The Director, Career Academy will report to the Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and / or skills required.

Other duties may be assigned.

• Implements the Academy program in accordance with the NAF model, the DC CTE Strategic Plan, and the high school’s comprehensive school plan, including but not limited to : Academy curriculum and integration across content areas;
• Assessment, progress monitoring, and student support systems;Orientation programs, events, and field trips;External activities, such as site visits, guest speakers, and industry seminars;

andPost-secondary support for alumni.

• Develops and maintains robust partnerships with industry and higher education partners, including representing the Academy on the Advisory Board and assisting with development efforts.
• Oversees the implementation of student recruitment, including middle grades students and already-enrolled ninth grade students.
• Creates, implements, and monitors staff development programs for regular and newly recruited teachers.
• Creates incentive awards and programs to develop and maintain high motivation, interest, and commitment from the member teachers and supervisors.
• Designs and implements a continuum of work-based learning opportunities throughout high school, including compensated internships for 11th and / or 12th grade students and preparation for success in the workplace.
• Works closely with OSSE, DCPS, and NAF and comply in a timely manner with all reporting requirements.
• Administers operational components, including financial and management systems and reporting related to budget, grants administration, personnel, fiscal records, and accountability measures.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• At least seven years of related work experience, including previous experience in a leadership capacity and experience creating and maintaining partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) experience preferred.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST : We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE : We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY : We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE : We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK : We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY : We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
30+ days ago