Principal Evaluation Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Educator Effectiveness team sits within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Talent Office and manages the evaluation process for teachers and principals. In close partnership with the Department of Principal Quality and the Office of Network Support, we produce materials and training in an effort to implement evaluation as a coaching exercise rather than a compliance mandate.

The Principal Evaluation Specialist (PES) will support the implementation of CPS Principal and AP Evaluation processes. CPS received a federal grant to improve our human capital management system, and this role will support a variety of initiatives under that workstream. This position will collaborate closely with the Department of Principal Quality on a variety of projects including principal residency work, evaluation, and professional learning. The Principal Evaluation Specialist will support the success of key Talent Office processes related to evaluation, including designing and delivering learning materials for Network Chiefs and school leaders. This position will report to the Principal Evaluation Manager in Educator Effectiveness.

The Principal Evaluation Specialist position is grant-funded through the end of school year '24, with the potential to extend.

The Principal Evaluation Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support implementation of strategic initiatives to improve the districtwide evaluation process for principals, assistant principals, and Independent School Principals (ISP) Peer Evaluators.

• Develop materials and training
• Identify and communicate best practices

• Analysis of evidence entered for principal and assistant principal evaluations and report analysis in a format that supports cross-departmental collaboration and planning.
• Perform logistics duties related to training for new Network Chiefs/Deputies, Principals, and assistant principals.
• Document feedback related to improvements to Reflect and Learn interface for Principal and AP Evaluation. And coordinate work with vendors to improve the system.
• Support delivery of professional learning related to both REACH and Principal/AP Evaluation. This will include sessions for Network Chiefs, principals, APs, and teachers.
• Support creation of a suite of training materials to encourage best practices in human capital management.
• Analyze and use data to identify professional development needs, and to evaluate, improve, and report on implementation effectiveness.
• Execute project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements
• Plan, direct, and implement complex projects on time.
• Support efficient communication platforms and routines between stakeholders in the evaluation process.
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Principal Evaluation Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's degree in education or related field, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) teaching license and/or National Board Certification (NBCT) preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience involving the facilitation of training, preferably in education, is required
• Professional experience in project coordination, including high-level, cross-functional collaboration is required
• Experience facilitating/supporting educator or employee evaluation processes is strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of (or ability to quickly learn) how to navigate and utilize the Reflect and Learn System
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders to support the experiences of school leaders
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams with personnel from a variety of departments while managing multiple priorities and adapting to shifting departmental needs
• Strong attention to detail, i.e. practices clear consistent communication, maintains accurate calendar, able to adjust style in response needs of different audiences
• Exceptional email responsiveness
• Excel proficiency is required
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
• Expertise in leadership development and instructional leadership. Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build the capacity of content area teams and develop meaningful and high impact professional communities for teachers and school leaders
• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
• Demonstrate high levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management and organizational development
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Capable of maintaining flexibility of schedule as required to support professional learning sessions

Other requirements:

• Access to transportation to travel to other worksites/schools is required
• Valid Driver's License and vehicle access preferred

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.
• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing -Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.

CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S06
Estimated Annual Salary Range: $56,000 - $71,000
Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications