Specialist, Special Projects

The Office of Operations (OoO) is comprised of the Strategic School Operations, Food and Nutrition Services, School Security, and Facilities Planning and Design divisions. OoO is responsible for guiding the operations and functions for all 117 schools within the District. Our mission is to ensure DCPS stakeholders– principals, teachers, students, and central services teams– have the operational systems, facilities, and support to be excellent. Divisions / Teams Operations Strategy team manages major initiatives across all OoO teams and oversees the DCPS Operations Center, the central operations hub which receives, triages, dispatches, monitors, and analyzes both emergency and non‑emergency issues related to all operations functions across all 117 DCPS schools, central services office, warehouse, satellite sites, and related properties. The Operations Strategy team directly supports the Chief Operating Officer to ensure all schools and DCPS divisions are supported and to operationalize OoO’s mission and vision. The team manages office‑wide initiatives including budget oversight, procurement support, fleet management, and strategic planning. Facilities Planning and Design division is comprised of two main teams: Modernizations and Small Capital Projects. The Manager supports the overall Facilities Planning and Design approach for both teams. School Security division provides direct, day‑to‑day school safety and security related support to all DCPS schools. The division is comprised of the Contract Security and Training, DCPS Special Police, and Physical Security teams. The mission of the School Security division is to ensure the safety and security of all DCPS students, staff, buildings, public spaces, and property. Strategic School Operations (SSO) division provides direct, day‑to‑day support to all DCPS schools, students, and staff. The division consists of the following areas of focus: day‑to‑day support from SSO specialists, School Strategy and Logistics program, Intra/Interagency Affairs, Emergency Preparedness and Guidance, and Warehouse logistics. The mission of the SSO division is to provide excellent customer service and operational support to schools. Warehouse and Logistics team within the Strategic School Operations division provides direct operational support to all DCPS schools. The warehouse focuses on emergency supplies and equipment, textbook replacements and closed school records, mail distribution, special event support, shipping and receiving, DCPS fleet management and copier management, emergency school moves and surplus office and student furniture. Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) division is recognized for its healthy and innovative school food. The scope of the DCPS FNS operations extends beyond school meals to include nutrition‑related activities such as school gardens and farm‑to‑school as well as environmental sustainability and stewardship initiatives for cafeteria operations. FNS is made up of three smaller teams: Finance, Strategy and Data, Nutrition, Compliance & Partnerships, and Food Service Operations. The mission of the DCPS FNS is: All DC Public Schools students are engaged and have access to wholesome and delicious meals that promote long‑term wellness, preparation for learning, and satisfaction with their school. The Specialist, Special Projects will be a part of the Facilities Planning and Design (FPD) team, which is responsible for the programmatic oversight and stakeholder engagement for all DCPS Capital Construction projects. The Specialist, Special Projects is responsible for developing and implementing systems and processes that improve workflow and communication across the Facilities Planning and Design division, ensuring school leaders are effectively supported. In alignment with the annual Capital Construction Program, the Specialist will lead pre‑ and post‑occupancy reviews to evaluate the impact of modernization projects, working with colleagues to assess facility usage, and applying findings to inform future designs and processes. The Specialist also coordinates and implements small to medium‑sized projects or components of larger initiatives, manages division‑wide communications, drafts external and internal memos, defines scopes of work, coordinates purchases, tracks compliance, and conducts research to support capital projects. In addition, the Specialist provides administrative and operational support for the division leader, assisting with schedule management, resource management, and process improvement to ensure the office operates effectively. The role supports strategic initiatives that enhance organizational culture and strengthen cross‑functional collaboration. This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre‑employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post‑accident or incident drug and alcohol test. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Supports the Deputy Chief by monitoring progress, anticipating decision points, and ensuring timely resolution of issues within the Capital Construction program. Identifies gaps in capital and non‑capital workstreams and develops protocols to ensure strategic alignment with division initiatives. Conducts research and synthesizes findings into accessible knowledge products for internal and external stakeholders. Oversees website content processes to ensure accurate and timely information related to capital improvement and division initiatives. Coordinates and advances small to medium‑sized projects, or discrete components of larger initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. Develops graphics‑heavy data tools and visualizations to communicate facility planning analyses to school communities and stakeholders. Drafts external and internal memos and communicates to ensure clarity, priorities and strategies aligned with Facilities Planning and Design initiatives. Designs and implements systems and processes to align the work of the Facilities Planning and Design division, its sub teams, and adjacent teams within Office of Operations and DCPS. Defines performance measures for communications and priorities, translating them into work goals and deliverables. Plans and manages program‑related meetings, conferences, and logistics to support smooth execution of initiatives. Oversees Certificate of Occupancy tracking, archiving, and related documentation to ensure compliance and accurate recordkeeping. Qualifications Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related legal experience. Master's Degree preferred. Experience in crafting written communications for diverse audiences. Previous experience in the education sector or capital projects preferred. Proven track record as both a collaborator and a self‑starter with the ability to multi‑task and shift priorities as needed. DCPS Values STUDENTS FIRST : We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do. COURAGE : We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK‑12 success. EQUITY : We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds. EXCELLENCE : We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions. TEAMWORK : We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically. JOY : We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr