TITLE: Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools – Central Office
POSITION OVERVIEW:
As a member of the District’s Leadership Team, the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools is responsible for the academic success of students in three middle schools, three high schools, a career and technology regional school, and Portland Adult Education. The Assistant Superintendent supervises secondary building leaders, manages a network team of five directors and collaborates with the Superintendent, Chief Schools and Academics Officer, Principals, and other school system leaders to design and implement the programs and policies of the Portland Public Schools.
The position has approximately 13 direct reports, including the principals of all district middle and high schools and a network team consisting of directors of instruction, special education, ESOL, school innovation, and school climate. The Assistant Superintendent is responsible for ensuring high quality school leadership and instruction by helping school leaders be instructional leaders in alignment with the District’s strategic plan.
ESSENTIAL 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 Chief Schools and Academics Officer, academic directors and staff, and school leaders to ensure the alignment of school success plans with the District’s strategic plan 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.
- Facilitates talent planning routines for schools.
- Oversees a network team of directors and ensures that they are providing support and supervision at schools to drive outcomes for students.
+ 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.
- Collaborate with co-curricular directors at middle and high schools to ensure consistent and equitable opportunities are available for all students.
- Ensures all policies, procedures and compliance requirements are successfully implemented in each building.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Proven ability to improve performance by executing effectively on goals, building highly functional instructional leadership teams, 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 grades 6-12, CTE and adult education
- 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
- High standards of honesty, integrity, confidentiality, flexibility and responsiveness
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a master’s degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field.
- Five years of educational leadership experience.
- Experience as a school leader and district administrator.
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possesses or is eligible for appropriate Maine license:
- Maine State Assistant Superintendent 015 certificate
- Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
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
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
- Year-round, permanent, full-time position
- Salaried, not eligible for overtime
- Pay plan: Non-represented
- Grade: Executive
- Reports to: Chief Schools and Academics Officer
- Eligible for benefits as outlined here
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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.
