Dean of Academic Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Dean of Academic Operations

OUR MISSION

Innovation Charter High School (“Innovation”) nurtures students to be academically successful, mature, emotionally healthy, and equipped to lead self-directed and fulfilling lives. We embrace all students and we empower them to adapt, excel, innovate and lead. By instilling our core values of collaboration, tolerance, respect, activism, safety, and innovation, students will graduate prepared for success in college and careers.

ABOUT INNOVATION

Innovation Charter High School opened in 2010 to meet the needs of underserved youth in East Harlem, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx. Since its founding, Innovation students have applied what they learn in the classroom to the real world through project-based and experiential learning. These experiences are transformative and prepare them for life after graduation.

Today, Innovation’s 50+ instructional and student support staff serve around 400 students. Over 30% of our students have IEPs and over 90% are economically disadvantaged. We embrace all students, address their needs, and help them to realize their potential, through creative and engaging instruction with a college and career readiness focus. Innovation takes a restorative approach to discipline and focuses on building a collaborative school culture. We have developed close ties with the East Harlem community and with our co-located neighbor schools. We were the first charter school in New York City with a Career and Technical Education program in the culinary arts and the only charter school to participate in the NYC DoE’s Software Engineering Pilot. Innovation students participate in a wide variety of sports, clubs, and extracurricular programs including performing arts, National Honors Society, and many more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dean of Academic Operations is responsible for effective management and use of student data, schoolwide assessment, programming and scheduling, grading, and registration and records. The Dean reports to the Director of School Operations, collaborates with key instructional and school culture leaders, and is supported by the Manager of Student Recruitment and Academic Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Use of Student Data (45%)

• Manage and maintain the student information system and all other student, teacher, and schoolwide data resources to ensure the timeliness, quality, and accessibility of relevant data including management of ATS and other required external data platforms
• Execute essential analysis and synthesis of relevant data (academic, attendance, and school culture), facilitate data meetings, and support other teams to identify trends, monitor progress, and plan any necessary changes or interventions
• Management of schoolwide attendance intervention including facilitation of attendance meetings, coordinating staff who implement interventions (advisors, counselors, etc.), and tracking the impact of interventions
• Collaborate with a grade-level counselor to progress monitor attendance, behavior, and course progress for a cohort of Innovation students, facilitate grade team meetings, and plan for appropriate interventions
• Serve as internal subject matter expert and support other teams to leverage data and data systems more effectively through training, coaching, and collaboration
• Collaborate with school leaders to ensure that data collection by other teams and staff members is timely, accurate, and efficient
• Collaborate with Manager of Technology and Facilities to manage updates, integrations, and relationship with Innovation’s SIS provider and other relevant external vendors and partners

Reporting and Compliance (20%)

• Provide the school leadership and Board of Trustees with regular reports and analysis on a variety of student outcomes and leading indicators to inform individual and schoolwide planning
• Collaborate with Director of School Operations and other school leaders to develop timely, compliant reports for Innovation’s charter authorizer, New York State Education Department and Board of Regents, funders, and other relevant regulatory entities
• Ensure that data infrastructure and processes are aligned to all necessary reporting and compliance needs and support timely, accurate, and efficient reporting

Schoolwide Assessment and Grading (20%)

• Serve as primary owner of schoolwide assessment planning and testing coordination with support from the Manager of Student Recruitment and Academic Operations and in collaboration with key instructional leaders including benchmark assessments, state testing, PSAT, SAT, and AP testing to ensure rigorous, relevant schoolwide assessment of student learning
• Collection, maintenance, and analysis of all student assessment scores and data at the class, teacher, and school level
• Management of progress reports, report cards, and transcripts in collaboration with instructional leaders and with support from the Manager of Student Recruitment and Academic Operations

Programming and Student Records (15%)

• Development of the master schedule in collaboration with school leaders; Serve as primary owner of program distribution, communication about scheduling with students and families, and other essential elements of the first day of school
• Management and analysis of credit accumulation and other matriculation data in support of graduation projections and identification of graduation pathways that effectively meet student needs including transfer students
• Management of student registration and enrollment process and records, with support from the Manager of Student Recruitment and Academic Operations

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in roles with relevant responsibilities
• Experience with relevant K12 data platforms and tools required; Experience with PowerSchool or other similar SIS, high school programming/scheduling, benchmark assessments, and/or Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) preferred
• Experience leveraging data for instructional improvement, student support, and/or intervention
• Demonstrated experience working across teams and functions to support schoolwide use of data required; Experience with NY charter school data, reporting, and compliance highly preferred

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated analytical skills and knowledge of student information systems and best practices in K12 student data; Training in education data review protocols (such as Harvard Data Wise Improvement Process or Leverage Leadership Weekly Data Meetings, for example) is a plus
• Strong project management and organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong judgment and a results orientation

Values & Mindset

• Passion for and commitment to Innovation’s core values of collaboration, tolerance, respect, activism, safety, and innovation
• Deeply held belief in the power of diversity and community; An assets-based orientation to students, families, community, and staff, and a commitment to a school environment that fosters and respects the voices and opinions of students
• Deeply held belief in inclusive classrooms, in the value of high expectations, and in the idea that all learners deserve to have their needs met
• Adaptability, a solution orientation, and a systematic approach to achieving results
• Commitment to authentic collaboration and to the development and empowerment of leaders throughout the school community
• Belief in the importance of holistic support for young people, including restorative practices to strengthen relationships, and a full-service community school approach to meet the wide-ranging needs of students and families

Other Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or other relevant field required; Graduate degree preferred
• Spanish language skills are a plus
• Authorization to work in the U.S. is required

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, 12-month position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is in the range of $110,000 - $125,000 per year. Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer matching contribution of up to 5%.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Innovation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.