Chief of Staff

Posting Timeline

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.

Position Details

The Opportunity
Portland Public Schools (PPS) is actively seeking candidates to complete the talented leadership team of our organization. If you have the leadership capacity and proven experience of successfully working in an urban environment, then this is the place for you We are looking for a dynamic candidate with a demonstrated record of advancing organizational goals and strategic priorityes; you will offer leadership for the Superintendent of Schools, liaise with the Board of Education, and oversee the district's daily operations including accountability for Government Affairs and Center for Black Student Excellence.

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

Our Vision
A graduate of Portland Public Schools will be a compassionate critical thinker, able to collaborate and solve problems, and be prepared to lead a more socially just world. Read more about our vision and Portland Public Schools reImagined

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, it is the largest school district in the state and one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, Portland Public Schools offer a wide array of program options, including language immersion, fine arts, International Baccalaureate programs, athletics, technical and health specialties. PPS students also attend Head Start Early Childhood Education programs, 10 community-based programs, 8 charter schools, 4 alternative programs and 10 special services programs.

The City of Portland
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, where you can watch the Portland Timbers and Thorns play sooccer, it is just an hour-and-a-half drive to the scenic Oregon coast or to Mt. Hood, a half-an-hour to the peaceful vineyards and farms of the fertile Willamette Valley, and less than a three-hour drive to see the Mariners or Seahawks play in Seattle.

Summary
The Chief of Staff serves as an extension of the Superintendent of Schools to advance the district goals for improving student achievement, increasing equity, improving access to quality programs for traditionally underserved populations and assuring all schools are safe, inclusive places that promote excellence for all students; Oversee the operations of the Office of the Superintendent, including serving as the liaison to the elected Board of Directors, Center for Black Student Excellence, Government Affairs, and performance accountability of top leadership at PPS that directly report to the Superintendent; Ensure district and board adopted policies, protocols and initiatives are coordinated and implemented across PPS departments and schools, including the support of schools in the daily operations and emergency responses to provide quality and safe learning environments for all students; Create and maintain internal culture of accountability and transparency across PPS departments.

Representative Duties

Support the district’s daily operations and provide general professional support including providing policy advice, decision-making and operational assistance; provide leadership and support to the Superintendent’s direct reports to ensure that the district’s strategic goals and objectives are met; ensure that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated throughout the organization and that issues that need the Superintendent’s attention are dealt with in a timely manner. “E” Set the strategic direction of the Superintendent’s calendar to ensure that it aligns with district priorities, including vetting and evaluating requests from internal and external constituents; anticipate and assure that appropriate plans are in place and executed for superintendent meetings and events. “E” Oversee Governing Board policy development and offer policy interpretation and advice; preparing and contribute to reports, briefings, presentations and responses on Board goals and specific issues; work with the Board Secretary to prepare agendas, structure meetings, and ensure accuracy of minutes; organize subcommittees, and gathering and disseminating information for the Board and on their behalf. “E” Review district-wide organizational structures as they relate to providing operational and educational services to business practices and the student population; develop efficient models which combine best practices with administrative goals; involve leadership team members in the development of models and deployment of strategies designed to support district staff, school based leaders, professional educators, students and others to support diverse student, teacher and community stakeholder populations. “E” Serve as the liaison between district leaders and the Superintendent of Schools and members of the governing board; serve as a key contact to district departments, staff and community members, collaborate with district administrators and key stakeholders in the development and support of District initiatives and priorities.“E” Manage the Director of Government Affairs to ensure federal, state, local legislation, budgets and policies align and support PPS values and education goals. “E” Supervise the Center for Black Student Excellence to create a transformational approach to Black student learning, advancing a culture of Black excellence, unify and elevate the Black educational experience and improve outcomes for Black students; establish and maintain key partnerships and identify stakeholders in support of this vision and initiative. “E” Work closely with the Office of General Counsel to ensure compliance with state, federal laws, PPS policies, and management of legal issues at the school and district levels. “E” Collaborate with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders to facilitate conversations that lead to consensus, buy-in, and course correction as needed; build leadership teams which reflect diverse perspectives; ensure district staff actively engage and advocate underrepresented families of color, including those whose first language may not be English, as essential partners in their student’s education, school planning and decision-making. “E”  Supervise the performance of assigned personnel; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions. “E” Represent the district in meetings, workshops, conferences and professional activities. “E”  Learn and use district information technology systems to perform routine tasks, such as performance management assessments, and accessing program, staffing, financial reports and budget information. “E” Perform related duties as assigned. 

Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized “E”, which identifies essential duties required of the classification. This is strictly for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities
 

Knowledge of: 

K-12 Education public schools’ laws, policies and guidelines.
Structures and systems related to elected officials and appointed leaders.
Public meetings and records laws. 
District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
Effective leadership and management strategies and techniques.
Structures and systems related to elected officials, appointed leaders and board governing bodies.
Collection of and data use methods.
Report writing and presentation techniques.
Academic achievement standards which align to district goals 
Existing and emerging technologies, including education, business and internet software applications.

Ability to:

Build and manage systemic change and successfully implement reform initiatives that produce significant gains in closing the achievement gap.
Lead significant cross-functional initiatives in diverse and complex organizational settings. 
Skillfully navigate existing political structures/systems.
Motivate, inspire and move others into action to achieve assigned goals.
Manage and complete projects with attention to detail on time and with relevant policy experts, staff and internal and external stakeholder involvement.
Advocate, model and implement Portland Public School’s Racial Equity Initiative.
Welcome and empower students and families, including underrepresented families of color and those whose first language may not be English, as essential partners in student education, school planning and District decision-making.
Problem solve and effective conflict resolution at the district and school level on issues such as policy, culture, administrative and other emerging issues relating to the successful operation of schools.
Preview and anticipate structural, operational, and political needs to support successful policy development, adoption and implementation.
Build and maintain strong relationships.
Coach, coordinate and lead teams.
Demonstrate strong organizational skills.
Establish clear expectations, deliverables and deadlines.
Set clear agendas and facilitate effective meetings. 
Direct, supervise, counsel and evaluate programs and staff.
Balance and prioritize multiple projects, issues and decisions under time sensitive deadlines.
Communicate a culture of equity that is student centered.
Apply laws, policies, regulations, and procedures fairly, consistently, wisely, and compassionately. 
Learn and implement the PPS Equity in Public Purchasing and Contracting and other board policies.
Manage and complete projects with attention to detail.
Balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
Actively listen to others, build consensus and resolve conflicts.
Model ethical behavior at all levels.
Communicate high expectations of ethical behavior to others. 
Operate a variety of computer technologies and related hardware and software.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Governmental Relations or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is desirable.

A minimum of ten (10) years managing the development and execution of multiple, organization-wide strategic initiatives in a large organization is required. Experience working at the cross-section of public policy, media and community engagement is required. Experience working directly with elected officials, superintendents, executive cabinet leaders, school board or other governance boards, city managers or community representatives is required. 

Experience working in a richly diverse school community and environment and bilingual or multilingual skills are highly desirable.

Salary  Hiring range is between $200,000 and $219,000

Benefits Information

Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.

Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.

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