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Director of Computer Science

Job Details

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 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 Director Computer Science will oversee a team of 17+ and a budget over more than $3 million in CPS' Computer Science (CS) department, whose mission is to equitably scale access to high-quality computer science learning opportunities throughout the district, in support CPS' broader goal of helping all students become college and career ready. The Director of Computer Science reports to the Chief Officer of College and Career Success (OCCS).

Core OCCS priorities for the 2019-2020 school year will include: (1) Ensuring all graduating seniors (in SY20 and beyond) complete CPS' computer graduation requirement; (2) Expanding advanced coursework in CS, including both Advanced Placement and dual credit/dual enrollment courses; (3) Organizing a coherent "CS Beyond" strategy to provide students with opportunities to learn and apply computer science skills outside of the traditional school day, including after school, during spring and summer breaks, and special competitions/challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Continue to develop Computer Science as a Core subject, developing and overseeing policy and practice around CS teaching, curriculum, assessments and PD;

  • Partner with network and school leadership to increase the quality and availability of CS learning opportunities in schools across the district, with a special focus on equity; Direct and manage the development and implementation of strategic school-based implementation plans, scope and sequence, district CS standards and for K-12 computer science education;

  • Oversee policy and practice related to CPS' CS graduation requirement;

  • Manage a team of 17+ employees and consultants;

  • Develop and nurture partnerships with CPS leadership (network chiefs, Math and Science in T&L), post-secondary organizations including colleges and universities, corporate and entrepreneurial companies, associations and governmental bodies wto advance computer science and information technology education within CPS;

  • Continue to build a robust, diverse, qualified pipeline of CS teachers throughout CPS;

  • Represent CPS interests in state and national strategic CS initiatives;

  • Partner with CPS' Children First Fund (CFF) to pursue philanthropic and grant funding to support departmental operations, innovation, and sustainability

  • Participate in and/or oversee research partnerships to identify and implement best practices for emerging K-12 CS and computational educational strategies; provide strategic vision and direction to CTE Information Technology program;

  • Direct and manage strategic metrics and data gathering for both teacher, student and program successes, developing and/or refining the metrics for each, in the CS education initiative, for both short-term and longitudinal studies.



Qualifications for Job:

Skills:

  • Project planning and strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and the ability to align and manage activities toward execution of identified goals.

  • Strong leadership and team-building skills, i.e., ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success.

  • Self-starter with ability to conduct multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a collaborative team.

  • Strong budgeting and forecasting skills, and experience managing large-scale budgets.

  • Ability to build trusting relationships and function effectively at the school level, central office level, and with executive-level external partners in business, postsecondary, and government.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive change and achieve results. Experience developing business, government, post-secondary and other external relationships to garner support and resources.

  • Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.

  • Willingness to learn and adapt in the midst of new and shifting priorities with a 'can-do,' solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.

  • Development-oriented mindset; reflective, self-aware, and driven to learn from setbacks.

  • Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and technology skills.

  • Demonstrated program management skills including program planning, implementation and review/ evaluation.

  • Possess a track record of success as demonstrated by superior academic and professional achievement.

  • Computer science education and/or professional experience strongly preferred.



Type of Education:

  • Required: Bachelors degree, preferably with major or minor in computer science or related field/experience

  • Preferred: Masters degree or greater.



Type of Experience and Number of Years:

  • Required: Five or more years of professional experience. Three or more years direct supervisory experience managing teams.

  • Preferred: Experience in a large organization, driving complex projects requiring significant cross-functional collaboration. Experience leading, developing and implementing outcomes-based programs for urban students. Experience in an instructional setting.



Residency Requirement: As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

Company

Chicago Public Schools is truly a district on the rise. The last five years have been an unprecedented success for CPS, and during that time, our district has emerged as a beacon of what is achievable for large urban school districts across the country. Our mission is to provide a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.

Company info
Telephone
773-553-1000
Location
42 W Madison St
Chicago
IL
60602
US

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