The Ohio Department of Education is seeking a visionary leader with proven educational and organizational leadership skills that can direct the future-focused Center for Student Supports.  The successful candidate will help Ohio support the needs of the whole child including social and emotional learning, positive behavioral intervention and supports, behavioral health, school-based health, school climate and culture, and nutrition.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Serves as Executive Director for the Center for Student Supports and works collaboratively with the Senior Executive Director, keeping them apprised of all relevant information:

• Ensures implementation of Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education, Each Child, Our Future, through oversight of the work in three offices: Early Learning and School Readiness, Exceptional Children, and Integrated Student Supports.
• Directs state efforts to build capacity and lead supports for the whole child including social and emotional learning, behavioral health, school-based health, nutrition, and school climate and culture.
• Supports the center’s vision and implementation of key office-specific plans including Ohio’s plan to improve the learning experiences and outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Coordinates, streamlines, and builds the capacity for agency supports for program related to special student populations including students with disabilities, early learning, English learners, migrant students, students in foster care, and adjudicated youth.
• In conjunction with other relevant offices, leverages state-level funding related special student populations (e.g., Title III, Migrant funding, IDEA).
• Works with Senior Executive Director on policy development and stakeholder engagement:
  • Working with internal and external stakeholders, provides input to education policies.
  • Responds to and presents information requested by the State Board of Education.
  • Reviews and approves rule development, and interprets state and federal law (e.g., policies specific to programs, subgroups of students or issues).
• Monitors and evaluates work toward accomplishing center goals, strategies and performance measures.
• Conducts continuing studies of center/office practices and recommends improvements as necessary.
• Formulates biennial budget and center/office budgets and ensures alignment with agency goals.

• Communicates with stakeholders and obtains perspectives of agency work and progress.
• Reviews research reports, federal reports specific to legislation, and reports created in response to request from State Board, Governor, or Legislature.
• Researches national trends and thinking (e.g., evidence-based practices, implications).
• Collaborates with administrative personnel in other centers to integrate the planning and implementation of state education policy and programs.
• Works with senior leadership to build a strong staff ensuring the competencies needed to support center strategic initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a master’s degree or higher in one of the following areas: Education, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Educational Leadership, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related equivalent degree;
• 5 years of administrative or managerial experience with a focus on social, emotional, and behavioral supports strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of district or regional intervention and support systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Political acumen with various stakeholders and constituent groups
• Deep knowledge and experience working with programs and educators that provide social emotional and behavioral health and other supports to districts and special student populations (e.g., early learning, English Learners, migrant students, students in foster care, adjudicated youth)
• Deep knowledge of special education policies, laws, and supports for students and education.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills related to educational policy, resource allocation, and program design
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to build productive relationships with, and communicate complex messages to, a wide variety of stakeholders
• A strong understanding of Ohio’s educational policy and landscape
• Unwavering belief that all students can learn and achieve success in school
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills
• Systems thinker with creativity and strong problem-solving skills

Additional Information:

• Requires travel throughout State of Ohio and may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation.)

The Ohio Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability (ADA), age or veteran status in employment, programs, or against individuals receiving services.