School Transformation Specialist

Description of Job

Work Environment:
This position is Full-time and is Remote (Assigned service area and No assigned office space).

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• 25% to 30% of Travel is required outside the Denver Metro area
• The position will travel to/serve sites that are west of the Eisenhauer tunnel.
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs 
• Essential Functions
  • LIGHT/Office environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally 
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

Position Summary:

This School Transformation Specialist Position is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in leading change and inspiring growth for those who are passionate about making a tangible difference and helping schools thrive.

The School and District Transformation is a dynamic team dedicated to transforming education in Colorado’s lowest-performing schools and districts. In this impactful role, the School Transformation Specialist will lead critical improvement efforts by guiding school and district leadership through performance management and will drive meaningful change by designing innovative tools and strategies to enhance student and staff success. The School Transformation Specialist will collaborate with other CDE offices to provide schools and districts with technical assistance, navigate complex accountability systems, and contribute to the development of high-quality professional development opportunities. With a strong focus on fostering relationships and supporting schools on their improvement journey, this position plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education across the state. The position will support sites that are the West of the Eisenhower tunnel.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Performance Management:

• Lead school diagnostic reviews to make recommendations for schools around the four domains for school improvement
• Lead regular and consistent performance management conversations with district and school leadership teams, fostering a culture of challenge and reflection aimed at driving student performance progress and improving school practices. 
  • These conversations are designed to identify areas of growth, address challenges, and build capacity in schools and districts, ensuring sustained improvement and strategic decision-making.

• Lead the design of performance management tools to support schools and districts in the Transformation Network.
• Supports school leadership with the implementation of innovative and research-based practices that translate into increased staff and student performance
• Supports building and district leadership through complex change management situations
• Serve as a support lead for a caseload of districts with a high concentration of state-identified and federally identified schools and supporting those districts in identifying prioritized areas for improvement and developing plans to improve in those areas.
• Support schools and districts in tracking and managing school improvement grant activities.
• Collaborate with district leadership to build and evaluate the effectiveness of district and school improvement plans.

Program Development

• Contribute leadership and expertise to a dynamic team within CDE focused on building conditions for success in Colorado’s lowest-performing districts and schools.
• Provide regular, high-quality technical assistance to districts across the state in the areas of strategy development, resource alignment, and partnership selection.
• Support the growth of other support structures to meet the needs of district and school leaders as they engage in end of clock actions.
• Present and facilitate in a variety of settings and for various purposes.
• Create and lead face-to-face, peer-to-peer, and online professional development and networking opportunities for districts and schools.

Accountability Clock Management

• Support schools and districts identified on either the state accountability system or the federal accountability system as they progress on the clock. Assist schools and districts in year 3, 4, and 5 in navigating the accountability system
• Conduct community meetings and engage with stakeholders.
• Establish strong partnerships with senior district leadership, identified school leadership, and/ or the local board.
• Have a deep understanding of the statutory accountability options and provide strategic support to the school or district on improvement efforts.
• Provide regular updates on progress to CDE leadership and establish strong relationships with other internal departments in order to coordinate support for districts.
• Prepare CDE materials for state board hearings and present them to the state board for school and district accountability hearings.
• Represent the department at the State Board of Education accountability hearings. This includes assisting in preparing the CDE report and providing updates on the school or district’s progress to date.
• Develop tools, strategies, and resources that support the implementation of state board action.
• If the school or district continues on the clock after an action is directed, provide regular progress monitoring updates to the Commissioner and the State Board of Education.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Learn about the expertise and resources across CDE to leverage in support of districts and school
• Collaborate with the transformation team to implement other support structures, including serving as a team member for diagnostic reviews.
• Work with other units across CDE to help them understand the contexts in your districts and schools and to “sense make” CDE responsibilities within this context.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Manage communication and information between districts, partner organizations, and CDE staff.
• Collaborate with other transformation team members, particularly the School and District Support Program Manager, to refine CDE’s templates, tools, and tracking systems to support accountability hearings and state board presentations.
• Collaborate with all units in the School Quality and Support division to streamline cross-unit initiatives, including accountability, improvement planning, and innovation and choice. 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment PLUS Two (2) additional years of relevant experience.

OR

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study/program related to the work assignment.

________________________________________________________________________ 

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS: 

Qualifications for Success in the Position: 

• Minimum of 8-10 years working in the education field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a school or district leader required
• Experience in a turnaround setting required.
• Experience with mentoring and building capacity of other school leaders such as assistant principals and new principals
• Demonstrated and proven commitment to and track record of positively impacting student achievement.
• Experience collaborating, managing, and/or coaching other adults within an outcome-oriented environment.
• Experience and skill presenting to multiple stakeholder groups
• Experience providing various professional learning and training to various groups.
• A deep passion for and understanding of education reform and school turnaround processes.
• An understanding of the dynamics of school districts, schools, and state education agencies.
• An understanding of the unique needs and contexts of diverse populations and communities, including: English-language learners; students of poverty; exceptional students; and rural, suburban, and urban communities.
• Strong written and oral communication, presentation, and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate and present across a variety of forums to a variety of audiences.
• Motivated by a fast-paced, highly-collaborative team environment, with a desire to lead in a time of transformational change. A sense of humor, positive attitude, and agility in the face of turbulence is essential.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with a strong sense of personal accountability and responsibility for results.
• Proficiency with multiple technology applications, including computer-based and online media
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• The ability to pass a background check.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units)
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• A candidate who lives primarily in the Western slopes of Colorado 

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (25% to 30% of Travel outside the Denver Metro area)
• The position will travel to/serve sites that are west of the Eisenhauer tunnel.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs