Job Description

Job Title: Executive Director of Elementary Schools

This is an exciting time to join the Portland Public Schools in a critical leadership role for the district. Portland Public Schools is deep into the implementation of the , with a focus on Equity at the center of all we do. We are seeking an Executive Director of Elementary Schools who is aligned with the goals and values of the Portland Promise, who has deep expertise in elementary curriculum, coaching others, and who is an effective systems manager and leader.

Overview of the Role
As a member of the District\xe2\x80\x99s Leadership Team, the Executive Director of Elementary Schools coaches, mentors, supervises and evaluates elementary building leaders, and collaborates with the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Principals, and other school system leaders to design and implement the programs and policies of the Portland Public Schools.

The position has approximately 10 direct reports and is responsible for supporting high quality school leadership and instruction by helping school leaders create and reinforce their vision by strengthening connections between principal practice, classroom teaching and student learning. The supervisor establishes a coaching, feedback and support system that is aligned with the district\xe2\x80\x99s vision, mission and goals in order to eliminate barriers and ensure equitable educational access for all students.

This year-round position includes a generous benefit package, including 25 vacation days per year and full health and dental benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership Development

• Coaches and supports principals/school leaders to achieve school and district goals by focusing on instructional leadership, school culture, data analysis and data-driven decision making, and community and family engagement.
• Works with principals to develop annual goals and evaluates principals on goals and performance.
• Provides professional development opportunities for school principals to enhance their leadership skills and promote student achievement.
• Leads school administrative teams in creating collaborative and equitable learning environments and climates for students, staff and stakeholders.
• Creates opportunities for school leaders across the district to collaborate and learn from one another, and works collaboratively with principals/school leaders, central office leaders and others to develop agendas for school leadership meetings.

• School Improvement Planning & Implementation

• Collaborates with the Deputy Superintendent, academic directors and staff, and school leaders to ensure the alignment of school success plans with the Portland Promise and to provide support in the implementation of the plans.
• Develops strong routines of data analysis to monitor progress and build collective efficacy.
• Ensures the strategic use of resources in each building to meet instructional needs.
• Advocates at the system level for the resources required to meet instructional needs
• Supports the engagement and growth of leadership teams to develop, implement, and monitor school success plans.

• Talent Management

• Organizes, convenes and oversees the hiring process for school leader vacancies.
• Leads effective orientation and onboarding of new school leaders.
• Collaborates with Diversity, Equity and Belonging team for school leader mentorship program.
• Cultivates leadership pipelines within their network and across the district.
• Facilitates talent planning routines for schools.
• School Management

• Serves as the first point of contact for school management concerns (i.e., student and family issues and staff needs, human resources, facilities needs, etc); meets regularly with principals to support all aspects of school management.
• Develops and maintains relationships with staff, families and community partners.
• Ensures all policies, procedures and compliance requirements are successfully implemented in each building.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to improve performance by executing effectively on goals, building highly functional instructional leadership teams, professional learning communities (PLCs), and making data-driven decisions;
• Ability to coach and develop direct reports for improvement;
• Demonstrated supervision and evaluation skills;
• Experience working with students and families from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access and equity through rigorous learning experiences for all students, particularly those who consistently do not succeed in the current educational system;
• Ability to facilitate effective professional learning;
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of curriculum, instruction and assessment best practices for pre K-8;
• Thorough knowledge of public school administration and organization;
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of public school laws, policies and procedures;
• Excellent communications skills: writing, speaking and presentation skills;
• Strong analytical skills; and
• Demonstrates high standards of honesty, integrity, confidentiality, flexibility and responsiveness.

Certificate and License Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field.
• Experience as a school teacher is required. Principal and district administration experience preferred.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possesses or is eligible for appropriate Maine license

• Maine State Assistant Superintendent 015 certificate
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Light physical effort required; significant stamina required to handle long days
• Attendance at evening meetings required
• Ability to manage stressful situations
• Extensive district-wide travel required
• Occasional national or statewide travel

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

• Position Type: Full-time
• Job Category : Administrator

Director/Coordinator/Manager

Employer Description

Maine\'s largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools
and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12
and about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city\'s colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district\'s teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country\'s top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and \xe2\x80\x9cgreen\xe2\x80\x9d construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district\'s enrollment. The district\'s diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland\'s middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-- connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Portland Public Schools