Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Board of Education, the Director for the Board of Education Office participates with the Board in the on-going evaluation of effective strategies in the implementation of the Board’s Core Beliefs and Commitments Policy 0118 and Theory of Action Policy 0119. The incumbent of this position maintains close knowledge of the Board of Education’s positions on sensitive and confidential matters including negotiations. The Director for the Board of Education Office ensures professional and responsive service by Board staff to the Board, the public and other Prince George’s County Public Schools staff and stakeholders. The incumbent also assists and supports the Board of Education in carrying out its responsibilities, particularly regarding its quasi-judicial responsibility under Sections 4-205 and 6-202 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland in consultation with counsel to the Board.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advises the Board on education issues and/or policies proposed by the Superintendent of Schools or other entities; notifies the Board of Education Chair and Vice-Chair on all pertinent issues and advises immediately of any issues that warrant prompt attention of the Board and/or the Superintendent;
- Ensures support for Board of Education committees, including, but not limited to, research analysis and information regarding educational policies and practices to improve student learning outcomes;
- Reviews Board Policies and PGCPS Administrative Procedures and advises the Board on updating and/or amending policies and creating policies that could enhance or improve procedures;
- Assists in the preparation of the Board of Education’s annual operating budget and monitors expenditures to ensure that the Board operates within budget guidelines in collaboration with internal audit; responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices;
- Ensures that a monthly newsletter and/or other communications tool is distributed to the community which highlights actions of the Board of Education;
- Provides leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Board of Education and staff and carries out plans and policies authorized by the Board; independently develops and implements action steps to complete complex assignments within timelines;
- Represents the programs and perspective of the Board of Education to agencies, organizations and the public;
- Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative relationships with community groups, organizations, funders, state and local elected officials, PGCPS staff and the public to help achieve the goals of the Board of Education;
- Ensures the Board of Education Office is responsive to concerns, inquiries, questions and complaints of parents, students and constituents; responsible for the overall professional and responsive operation of the Board Office;
- Develops a system to ensure that all inquiries are properly routed to staff within the school system and to track inquiries to ensure that every student, parent and constituent question or issue has been properly addressed;
- Develops and ensures effective systems to track Board actions;
- Serves as the fiscal steward and oversees the financial management of the Board Office, including the management and scheduling of assigned personnel to ensure the fulfillment of duties and responsibilities and proper office and event/Board meeting coverage;
- Encourages professional development and assists staff in relating their specialized work to Board of Education overall goals and responsibilities;
- Provides a performance annual report each year to the Board that includes a comprehensive summary and analysis of the work of the Board of Education and Board of Education Office activities (including the status of annual staff evaluation ratings);
- Prepares official correspondence of the Board of Education and maintains legal documents;
- Plans and coordinates events; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Ability to perform complex, high level managerial responsibilities;
- Ability to demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to prioritize and carry out all tasks with considerable independence in the absence of detailed instructions;
- Exhibit effective leadership skills and ability to foster a business environment of support, trust and teamwork as well as continued staff development;
- Exhibit sound professional ethics;
- Ability to problem-solve and address situations confidentially with a high degree of patience, tact and sound judgment;
- Ability to effectively negotiate and work in collaboration with diverse groups of people;
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to changing deadlines with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy within context of overall objectives;
- Excellent verbal and written communication;
- Ability to represent the Board of Education and make presentations to the public;
- Proficiency in the use of technology to support work functions, financial management, e-mail use and internet research;
- Thorough knowledge of modern office practices including excellent writing, grammar and proofreading ability (writing sample required); and
- General knowledge of county and state government functions, policies and procedures related to education.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, communications, public policy, business or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in three (3) or more of the following areas: education, management and budget, policy and legal support, communication and community engagement; along with experience in supporting the work of Boards.
Certification:
None required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Oversees and provides guidance and direction to assigned personnel.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands 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 frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
Flexible schedule with evening meetings and some weekends required.
