Director of Programs and Student Services

Position: Director of Programs and Student Services

Reports to: Regional Executive Director

Closing Date: 06/17/24 11:59pm

Effective: 08/01/2024

Employee Group: PSAANS

Salary: Band 15: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/docs/educationnon-unioncompensationframeworken.pdf

As a member of the Centre's Senior Management Team, the Director of Programs and Student Services reports to the Regional Executive Director and has overall responsibility for the initiation, development, monitoring and evaluation of programs, services and processes relative to the delivery of the public school program in schools in the South Shore Region.

Qualifications:

• Valid Nova Scotia Teachers license and membership (or eligible for membership) in Public Schools Administrators Association of Nova Scotia;
• Master's Degree in Educational Administration, Leadership or Curriculum/Program Development or equivalent;
• Minimum of ten (10) years successful experience in an administrative role in public education;
• Minimum of five (5) years successful teaching experience in a public school;

Characteristics:

• Innovative in approaching education.
• Demonstrated ability to attract, motivate and retain staff with a high level of performance.
• Possess an understanding of the governance structure of public school system.
• Proven leadership abilities and organizational, interpersonal and well-developed decision-making and problem-solving skills;
• Motivation, knowledge and ability to use a range of strategies along the continuum from no-technology through to state-of-the-art technology in developing a balanced approach between the teaching, learning and administrative functions within the school system;
• Successful experience in leading, motivating, and supervising staff, including professional growth planning and performance appraisal;
• Demonstrated understanding and application of respect for diversity and social justice as well as proven experience with culturally responsive practices;
• Experience developing and implementing long-term vision and goals for system improvement;
• Demonstrated competence and excellent skills in team-building, written and oral communication, and relationship building, both within the Regional Centre and with our educational partners;
• Strong analytical abilities including the ability to develop policies, processes and guidelines which result in the implementation of effective practices;
• Successful experience with leading and managing change;
• Skill and experience in presentation, facilitation, and public participation processes
• Demonstrated ability to be effective, responsive, and creative in a complex and fast-paced work environment;
• Commitment to working collaboratively as a member of the senior leadership team with a shared focus on excellence in lifelong learning;
• Experience with budget planning, preparation and tracking;
• Ability to travel within the SSRCE and the Province.

Responsibilities may change in response to the needs of the Regional Education Centre, and may include but not be limited to the following:

Task Dimensions:

Be an active and contributing member of the Regional Centre for Education Senior Management Team, in all aspects of strategic planning and operation of the Centre;

• Provide leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies in respect to educational programming and student services;
• Provide leadership in the delivery of the Public-School Program as well as maintain and evaluate the effectiveness of implementation;
• Monitor, assess, evaluate, and report on student progress. Work with school administrators on expectations for communication with parents and planned action to improve student achievement including short cycle assessment and response plans
• Establish (with Regional Executive Director and Senior Management) priorities for the system improvement plan, as well as monitor, evaluate and update the plan;
• Support and ensure school-based administrators develop, monitor, evaluate and update student success plans;
• Provide leadership in the provision of devices and technological support to teaching and learning processes;
• Provide leadership in the provision of professional development opportunities for Regional and school-based education staff;
• Collaborate with all departments of the Education Centre to ensure student learning needs are addressed and comply with provincial guidelines through the yearly staffing processes;
• Support Human Resources Services in employment equity-related areas.
• Work closely with principals and assist them in the performing of their responsibilities;
• Lead instructional leadership with school based and regional staff to ensure Educational Leadership Standards are met and documented
• Lead principal performance management process;
• Establish expectations of principals regarding teacher growth and evaluation in relation to the Nova Scotia Teaching Standards (working with Human Resources Services regarding this process);
• All other duties as assigned by the Regional Executive Director of Education.

Directs educational programs, for example:

• Coordinate and overseeing the work done by the members of the Education and Student Services Team.
• Oversee the development and implementation of diagnostic tools for classroom assessment and for school-based student evaluation.
• Monitor instructional time allocations and recommending changes to maximize effective program delivery.
• Assist the Regional Executive Director with the performance appraisal/growth planning process for coordinators, consultants and school administrators.
• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources regarding staff allocations for programs.
• Assist with the development the Centre's Business Plan and individual School Improvement Plans.
• Oversee program assessments, recommendations and projections as required by the Regional Executive Director and / or Department of Education.

Leads the Student Services department, for example:

• Provide leadership in policies, guidelines, procedures and evaluations for appropriate services and programming for students with special needs.
• Develop guidelines for central and school-based allocation of staff and equipment resources for students with special needs.
• Oversee the Centre's student transition planning process.
• Oversee the Centre's school counselling services, intervention strategies, alternative programming, peaceful school initiatives and student discipline policy management.
• Liaise with outside agencies regarding services for students with special needs.

Performs supplementary duties, for example:

• Assist in the development of Regional Centre's policies and guidelines.
• Prepare budget recommendations and managing the budget allocated for Programs and Student Services.
• Attend, plan and lead Education Team meetings, Regional Centre meetings, and Department of Education meetings to provide information and clarify issues as required.
• Undertake other related duties as assigned by the Regional Executive Director.