Team: Education Data and Information Systems (EDIS)

Reports To: EDIS Director

Organization

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. CCSSO seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. 

Summary

The Senior Project Manager will report to the Program Director and will work with the team and other staff at the Council to support states. This position offers growth potential for the right candidate and requires some travel. This is a grant-funded position through October 2024. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Learning

• Exhibits a general knowledge of education policy issues and extensive knowledge of multiple topic-specific education policy issues
• Quickly grasps new issues in education policy and discerns their applicability for technical assistance for SEA staff
• Exhibits an understanding of the complex relationships between local, state, and federal education policy and agencies in preparing meetings, materials and other work products
• Expands breadth and depth of technical discipline
• Keeps abreast of new ideas and best practices in field of expertise
• Shares knowledge with colleagues to benefit organization as a whole

Research and Analysis

• Uses knowledge of data collection and advanced statistical analysis to produce clear and informative issue papers and reports in multiple topic areas
• Produces well-written articles, concept papers and proposals relating to multiple topic-specific education issues which assists states in implementing policies and programs
• Accurately answers detailed information requests on multiple topic-specific education policy issues
• Effectively applies technical expertise to help develop innovative solutions to education data problems and issues
• Serves as a technical expert in various education data and technology areas
• Provides appropriate technical assistance to customers

Oral and Written Communication

• Writes and speaks with authority on specific issue areas
• Produces well-written documents without supervision
• Plans and organizes meetings with outside groups to facilitate the exchange of information between state leads, policymakers, funders, and practitioners
• Knows when and how to relay technical information and selects the most appropriate communication vehicle
• Expresses opinions and conclusions based on supporting facts and evidence
• Stays in frequent communication with project team colleagues and all outside groups in relevant areas

Technology

• Effectively uses project management tools and software
• Creates and utilizes spreadsheet programs to create budgets and other project-related tracking
• Conducts extensive and sophisticated Internet searches for research work, project work and to answer constituent questions
• Promotes use of advanced technology among colleagues and assists others to use appropriate technology
• Creates documents and presentations in various electronic formats

Project and Time Management

• Works independently to prioritize work, set timelines and make adjustments to work priorities as necessary, using an effective time/project management system
• Responsible for all project management deliverables, which includes but is not limited to the project plan, scope, work breakdown structure, project schedule, risk and issues log, communication plan, roles and responsibilities and project budget.
• Manages portions or all of project budget
• Uses systematic, disciplined, and data driven methods and decision-making to prioritize opportunities, and analyze and improve processes
• Manages multiple assignments and changing conditions and often develops innovative solutions to keep projects on track
• Translates “big picture” vision into reasonable operational activities

Interpersonal Relations and Customer Service

• Conducts multiple effective meetings with policymakers and others in the education community
• Successfully markets projects by fostering understanding of goals, assisting customers to see benefits from their perspective, and removing barriers that prevent acceptance
• Interprets group dynamics, raises relevant issues for discussion and ensures involvement of all group members
• Listens, responds and takes action, as appropriate, to internal and external customer inquiries, suggestions, complaints and needs
• Cultivates potential strategic partners which benefit advancement of critical education issues and/or fundraising activities
• Builds networks to benefit work of team members and/or work of SEA’s
• Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of technology transfer and change management in assisting states with new programs

Continuous Improvement

• Willing to take risks to achieve objectives
• Works toward solutions that recognize the interdependence of the groups within CCSSO and the states participating in the projects
• Synthesizes large amounts of data and information into improved products based on insights into interrelationships between and among sets of information
• Develops regular report metrics for all functional areas with dependencies that support the successful delivery of the project

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred plus a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience.
• Master’s degree desired but not required
• Project Management Certification desired.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and have created or used charts, spreadsheets, and databases. Successful incumbents are proficient at using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Intranet/Internet tools and project management software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• This is a remote position.