Openings (1)

Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.

DCPS serves 45,000 students in the nation’s capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 123 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

The Office of the Chief Academic Officer is responsible for guiding the academic program in all 123 schools within the District with the goal of increasing the academic achievement of over 45,000 students in the District of Columbia.

The primary focus area for the Office of Secondary School Transformation includes designing policies, practices, and programs that help secondary students prepare for success in college and the world of work. The Office supports school-based staff in implementing DCPS’s existing academic programs and at the same time works to rethink and redesign secondary school programming to meet the needs of our students as they prepare to become productive members of the 21st-Century society.

The Manager, Academic Policy and Planning is responsible for (1) the analysis and development of strategies and policies governing secondary schools that help advance the district’s reform agenda, (2) the management and strengthening of the district’s academic course offerings, and (3) a varied portfolio of special projects related to district-wide programming.

The Manager, Academic Policy and Planning reports to the Director, Office of Secondary School Transformation.

* Works with the Director to oversee the strategic planning process for Secondary Transformation. Duties may include data analysis, financial projections, policy and program research, presentations, working group coordination, and overall project management.
* Develops program strategies and clear, specific, and ambitious performance measures for multiple projects and operational priorities; translates targets into individual work goals and deliverables for other team members
* Leads the implementation of those program strategies; assesses and tracks project progress regularly using various computer programs and tools; drives project completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines
* Determines resource needs for program success within context of broader DCPS strategy and initiatives
* Helps manage the analysis and presentation of data and progress of data-driven initiatives for senior management team and external audiences; communicates progress to key stakeholder groups and incorporates their input
* Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall program as well as specific projects
* Interviews and surveys other colleagues and management teams to determine opportunities for improvement; researches specific issues and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve
* Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to drive collaboration and project success, especially with respect to policy development and implementation
* Interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders, including researching and recommending resolutions for unresolved policy questions and/or unprecedented situations while accounting for possible unintended consequences of certain courses of action
* Identifies and systematizes successful operational and project management methods across the department; develops and strengthens resources for program evaluation and support
* Stays closely aware of progress of projects, high-level initiatives, and emerging issues across DCPS organization and pro-actively helps to adjust program approach based on changes in direction, priorities, and resources
* Stays aware of innovations, developments in policy, and research and advises DCPS senior management team on proposed legislation, policies, procedures, and directives affecting the specific department and projects assigned
* Identifies gaps in DCPS policies, revises existing policies if needed, and develops new policies to help implement DCPS reforms and new programs. Coordinates with relevant stakeholders on the development of policy, crafts proposed policy and manages the process of promulgating final rules and regulations. Advises internal stakeholders on policy implications during their program design process.
* Maintains the course catalog in DC STARS, the DCPS student information system, to ensure correct and consistent course codes, credits, graduation requirements, and course descriptions
* Synthesizes DCPS policies, practices, programs and courses in developing a comprehensive secondary school guidebook to help students, counselors and other stakeholders successfully navigate secondary school
* Supports and carries out the Chancellor’s mission to transform DC Public Schools and close the achievement gap
* Performs other related duties as assigned

Bachelor’s degree and 4-6 years work experience required, with master’s degree, specific experience managing others and/or projects, and/or specific business, legal or public policy experience preferred. Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.

* Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
* Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
* Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
* Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
* Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
* Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others
* Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.
* Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.

Notice of Non-Discrimination. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, District of Columbia Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited. Discrimination in violation of the aforementioned laws will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Equal Employment Opportunity Unit, District of Columbia Public Schools, 825 N. Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 442-5424.