Portland Public Schools envisions every student, every teacher, every school succeeding. As we commit to a major transformation under new, nationally-recognized leadership, we are actively seeking talented, driven professionals who are energized by big challenges. If you are solution-oriented, a strong communicator and collaborator, and passionate about urban education, then this is the place for you! Read more about PPS, our schools and programs, and beautiful Portland, Oregon, at the bottom of the posting.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic leader with a demonstrated record of improving student performance and eliminating achievement disparities to join us as our Chief of Schools. This position will be part of Portland Public Schools’ Instruction and School Communities leadership team, reporting to the Deputy Superintendent. The Chief of Schools will lead and supervise senior district leaders responsible for principal supervision and support of 79 schools. The Chief of Schools establishes a culture of high expectations which provides every student with equitable access to high- quality, standards-based, and culturally-responsive instruction.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and develop the team of leaders who coach and supervise principals towards positive student outcomes: integrate a student-centered, data-driven, equity-focused, evidence-based, and multi-tiered approach to effectively supervise, manage, and provide continuous improvement guidance to over 79 PreK-12 schools and programs.
• Organize structures and processes to provide and effectively deliver educational services to all of PPS’s diverse student population of over 49,000; develop efficient implementation of evidence-based strategies and school improvement plans to ensure narrowing of student achievement gaps and accelerated progress towards district performance targets and goals; focuses on the development of school-based strategies designed to support school-based leaders to effectively manage and support a diverse student, teacher and community stakeholder population.
• Contribute to the development and enactment of a compelling vision and aligned strategic plan that places an emphasis on school leadership and transformation, in close partnership with the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities.
• Serve as a member of the PPS Instructional Leadership Team, working in close collaboration with the Chief Academic Officer and Chief of Student Support Services to build system coherence and positive relational trust while representing and advocating for the needs of all PPS schools.
• Develop a coherent theory of action and implement a scale-able systemic school improvement model; monitor school progress and impact of implemented improvement strategies on student outcomes through a data drive process and with feedback from students, parents, staff, Board of Education, and community members; oversees development of school improvement plans; regularly reviews and tracks progress on school performance objectives and academic excellence indicators to assure effective deployment of improvement strategies; directs implementation of revised or new strategies as required, and ensures accountability.
• Collaborate with other district leaders to effectively serve and support schools and to actively participate in district-wide decision making as a member of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team.
• Develops a coherent professional learning and leadership development strategy for school leaders and school teams, in close collaboration with the Teaching & Learning and Talent Development teams.
• Effectively represent the collective work of PPS schools to both internal and external audiences; serve as a key liaison to the Board of Education regarding school communities; demonstrate and convey clear understandings and communications with stakeholders, and existing and potential partners and funders
• Plan and coordinate internal and external communications and change management for school-related situations, crisis incidents, and media inquiries, in close partnership with Communications and Human Resources departments and leaders.
• Monitor and provide input on Bond-related school construction work, in close collaboration with Operations, Facilities, and School Modernization staff.
• Tracking and managing school-level financial trends, in close collaboration with Finance; gauge the impact of strategic resource investments and ensure school communities are provided with direct feedback and guidance about adoption of high-leverage, evidence-based strategies and activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• An active Oregon Administrative License issued by Teacher and Standards Practice Commission or the ability to obtain licensure by the first day of employment.
• 10+ years of experience in school system leadership, as senior district or school administrator.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public school laws and policies as they relate to the delivery of instructional services.
• Evidence of strong conceptual, analytic, organizational and management skills, and demonstrated leadership ability; evidence of the ability to collaborate with diverse individuals.
•  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of student and program assessment, data analysis, program development and evaluation, child growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, research related to learning and curriculum implementation.
• Demonstrate the ability to use electronic equipment for word processing, data management, information retrieval, visual and audio presentations, and telecommunications.
• Evidence of working in a multicultural/urban school environment and with diverse school communities.
• Evidence of improving student achievement and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate people and interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents and the community.

Any other combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the candidate is likely to possess the skill, knowledge, ability and trait characteristics essential for this classification may be considered.

Salary

$140, 000 to $160,000

How to Apply

Please visit our website at: http://jobs.pps.net and search Job #17351.

Closing Date

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

About Portland Public Schools  

Read more at www.pps.net

Our Mission

Every student by name prepared for college, career and participation as an active community member, regardless of race, income or zip code.

Our Schools and Programs

Portland Public Schools, founded in 1851, is a PK-12 urban school district in Portland, Oregon. With more than 49,000 students in 79 schools, we are the largest school district in the state and one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest. PPS benefits from an active and engaged parent and community partners. We offer a wide array of programs, including language immersion, fine arts, International Baccalaureate programs, athletics, technical, and health specialties. PPS students also attend the Head Start Early Childhood Education program, 10 community-based programs, 8 charter schools, 4 alternative programs and 10 special services programs.

Our City

Portland, Oregon, has often been called the big city with the small town feel. Nestled between the beautiful Coast Range on the west and the spectacular Cascade Range on the east, Portland sits at the junction of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. From downtown Portland, it’s just a an hour-and-a-half drive to the scenic Oregon coast or to Mt. Hood and some of the best skiing in the country, a half-hour to the peaceful vineyards and farms of the fertile Willamette Valley.

The District is focused on eliminating systemic racism and its impact on student learning.
PPS is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability or perceived disability; or military service. Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.