Executive Director of Commission

Serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Washington State Charter School Commission

• Develops Commission program design and implementation for new charter public school applications as well as quality and accountability of authorized charter public schools providing education to Washington children throughout the state.
• Actualization and implementation of the Educational Equity Policy throughout the Commission’s priorities and work.
• Leads the development and implementation of Commission policies.
• Provides strategic, long-term direction and recommendations to the Commission
• Administers the development, implementation and assessment of the Commission’s Performance Framework consistent with the state statute.
• Serves as the state’s expert regarding charter public schools, requiring broad professional knowledge of the Washington charter school law, its implementation including compliance with academic and organizational requirements and national charter public school standards, growth and compliance with educational standards.
• Be adept in navigating complex legal and political issues as the Commission representative with the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, educational organizations, the media, citizen groups, other state agencies, school districts, and representatives of other local and federal government offices to provide information for the establishment, continued operations and performance measures applicable to Washington charter public schools. Provides the Commission with necessary facts, information, and reports, as needed, concerning these interactions.
• Employ an advanced understanding and expert application of educational theory, finance, public organization, and state and federal legal education requirements including those involving special education, English language learners, transportation, and free and reduced price meal programs.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation rubric to ensure that all charter public school applications are vetted and assessed for the applicant’s educational, organizational, and financial capacity governing the authorization of contracts to operate a school from the Commission.
• Ensure that operating charter public schools provide the educational services required by state and federal law as well as additional requirements under their contract. This oversight includes periodic site visits, quarterly budget review and annual financial audits. Initiate action to close a charter public school failing to meet legal standards and performance expectations.
• Research, investigate and interpret current trends and developments in charter school authorization and oversight, and new rules and regulations from Department of Education and federal and state law.
• Employ advanced education principles and analysis to identify and address historically underserved student populations in Washington including systemic or programmatic barriers for academic success.
• Provides recommendation for development and ensures implementation of Commission policies across the agency.
• Reports to the Commission about the status of financials, application processes, charter school oversight, internal and external communications, and other programs for Commission.
• Communicates openly and regularly with the Commission concerning programs, practices and problems of authorized charter schools as measured by authorization and oversight practices and policies.
• Oversees and coordinates submissions and recommendations to the Commission on all matters requiring Commission action. Provides the Commission with necessary facts, information, and reports as needed for the Commission to make informed decisions.
• Communicates, represents and actuates the Commission’s mission and vision to internal and external stakeholders in an effort to seek fulfillment and refinement of the Commission‘s mission and vision.
• Responsible for developing, gaining Commission approval, and implementing the agency’s strategic plan.

Agency Operations

• Ensures the Commissioners, the agency and the staff comply with all laws, regulations and Commission policies.
• Initiates and/or files all reports required by state or federal laws and regulations.
• Oversees and directs the development, refinement and recommendations for distribution of an annual solicitation for new charters schools; including the evaluation and subsequent recommendations regarding new charter school applications.
• Draft, negotiate and recommend action to the Commission regarding execution of a charter contract with qualified Washington based non-profit organizations.
• Direct and oversee the monitoring, and when necessary intervention, of non-profit’s compliance with its charter contract. Intervention for non-compliance could include issuing corrective action, sanctions, and/or revocation of a charter school’s contract.
• Creates partnerships and coordinates with other state agencies such as the State Auditor’s Office, the Department of Retirement Services, the State Board of Education and OSPI on the interpretation and implementation of the Charter School Act in the development of new charter public schools throughout Washington State.
• Makes administrative decisions necessary for the effective and efficient operations of the Commission. Has full authority to act when emergency action is necessary in matters of urgency which are not covered by Commission policy. Reports such emergency actions to the Commission and makes recommendation of policy for future guidance.
• Serves as the Commission’s spokesperson for legislative engagements, testifying before legislative committees, providing analysis and impact of proposed legislation on the Commission and authorized charter school operations.
• Continuously assess agency’s progress towards its strategic goals, effectively communicate progress and barriers to agency realizing its goals, implement tactics to propel the agency forward in order to realize its strategic goals.

Financial Management

• Control of the $3.6million Biennial budget for the Commission. Responsible for the overall financial planning and budget execution of the Commission. Reports status to the Commission on a quarterly and annual basis.
• Communicates proposed budget, priorities and needs to stakeholders.
• Establishes efficient procedures and effective controls for expenditure of Commission funds in accordance with the adopted budget.
• Oversees $61.1 M, currently, for student education under charter public school contracts. Oversees charter public schools academic and organizational performance as well as their contractual and legal compliance.
• Ensures financial procedures are maintained and audits are performed by Commission program managers and outside stakeholders. Communicates any audit findings to the Commission with recommendations for corrective action.
• Works with OFM and OSPI through the designated budgetary process; including development and submission of budget appropriation requests.

Staff Management

• Oversees the hiring, assignment of work and supervision of seven Commission staff.
• Develops and implements hiring processes which comply with state and federal laws, targeting the most qualified, competent, and diverse applicants.
• Fosters a professional, respectful work environment that encourages open communication, continuous learning and improvement for the staff.
• Ensures policies are in place to develop and implement effective performance management and evaluation of staff.
• Places focus on improving individual and collective knowledge and skills around high quality charter school authorization and oversight.
• Works with OSPI Human Resources and the Commission on the creation of new positions and maintaining updated job descriptions for staff.
• Informs the Commission of personnel actions, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and separation of staff.

Community Relations & Communications

• Represent the Commission before the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, educational organizations, the media, citizen groups, other state agencies, school districts, and representatives of other local and federal government offices.
• Represents the Commission in interactions with the United States Department of Education regarding performance of charter schools in Washington and advocating on behalf of Washington regarding potential federal policies that impact charter schools including but not limited to new or updated federal accountability systems and competitive charter school funding streams.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with State Senators and Representatives to support the ongoing development of a charter school sector in Washington.
• Provides communication to all levels within the government, communities, state organizations and agencies. Serves as primary point of contact and spokesperson for the Commission regarding all media engagements.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with media contacts throughout Washington state and nationwide
• Communicates the Commission’s mission and vision effectively to stakeholders.
• Represents the Commission and participates in community forums and other related events.
• Engages the community through public forums to help the Commission in its planning and problem solving.
• Communicates with and understands the needs and perspectives of various outside groups and stakeholders.

Policy Development

Internal Policy Development

• Provides leadership in the development of and implement Commission governance level policies.
• Develop, implement, monitor and update operations level policies including but not limited to:
  • Educational Equity Policy;
  • New School Application Progress;
  • Charter School Oversight and Monitoring;
  • Charter Contract Renewal and Revocation;
  • Support Networks and Communications;
  • Human Resources;
  • Finance;
  • Travel; and
  • Public Policy and Records.
• Communicates openly and regularly with the Commission concerning programs, practices and problems of authorized charter schools and established Commission authorization and oversight practices and policies.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies developed by the Commission.
• Ensures the Commissioners, the agency and the staff comply with all laws, regulations and Commission policies.

Public Policy Development

• Develop strategies and oversee the implementation of the Commission’s legislative and public policy agenda at the state level with particular focus on specific priority areas.
• Identify and draft amendments and legislative proposals.
• Cultivate relationships with key elected and appointed officials, staff, policy makers and related governmental bodies and leaders.
• Prepare policy and advocacy materials including action alerts, talking points, issue briefs, letters, press statements, opinion editorials, website updates and legislative and public policy reports.
• Researches, collaborates and leads efforts to fully understand and effect change across multiple state agencies and state regulations (statute and agency rules) in the development and sustainability of a charter school sector in Washington.

Decision-Making Responsibilities

• As the leader of the agency, this position has full authority to make all operational decisions for Commission including all employment decisions for agency staff, budget appropriation request, budget allocation and implementation, The Commission’s budget is primarily dependent on an oversight account that accumulates funds over time and this requires the ability to accurately forecast future revenues and expenses. In turn, the development of an overall Commission budget requires ongoing analysis, collaboration with Commission staff, charter school boards and OSPI, and the ability to foresee potential needs and expectations of the Commission and adjust the budget accordingly. It also requires the ability to establish and maintain clear lines of responsibility between the Commission and staff.
• Develops Commission program design and implementation for new public charter school applications as well as quality and accountability of authorized public charter schools providing education to Washington children throughout the state
• Draft, negotiate and recommend action to the Commission regarding execution of a charter contract with qualified Washington based non-profit organizations.
• Direct and oversee the monitoring, and when necessary intervention, of non-profit’s compliance with its charter contract. Intervention for non-compliance could include issuing corrective action, sanctions, and/or revocation of a charter school’s contract (school closure).
• Creates partnerships and coordinates with other state agencies such as the State Auditor’s Office, the Department of Retirement Services, the State Board of Education and OSPI on the interpretation and implementation of the Charter School Act in the development of new charter public schools throughout Washington State.
• Creates partnerships and coordinates with school district, higher education entities, community based organization and non-governmental organizations in support of the Commission strategic priorities.
• Makes administrative decisions necessary for the effective and efficient operations of the Commission. Has full authority to act when emergency action is necessary in matters of urgency, which are not covered by Commission policy. Reports such emergency actions to the Commission and makes recommendation of policy for future guidance.
• Oversees and coordinates all submissions and recommendations to the Commission on all matters requiring Commission action. Provides the Commission with necessary facts, information, and reports as needed for the Commission to make informed decisions.

Required Education, Experience and Competencies

• Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Education, Research or other relevant field or Bachelor’s Degree and four years’ experience in a related field may be substituted.
• Five or more years program management/evaluation experience in public policy, education, business, or non-profit position, including supervision/management of staff.
• Policy making experience
• Collaboration and building relationships with external partners
• Legislative process experience

Desired Education, Experience and Competencies

• Experience working with Charter/Innovative Schools, developing processes and policies for their operation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in school systems.

Compensation

The annual compensation for the position is up to $140,000 to $160,000 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Commission, and is Civil Service Exempt. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

CSC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. CSC provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.”