Director of College and Career Strategy

NOLA Public Schools Vision

The vision of the NOLA Public Schools is that every student receives a high-quality education that fosters their individual capabilities, while ensuring that they thrive, achieve physical and mental wellness, and are prepared for civic, social, and economic success.

Position Summary

The Director of College and Career Strategy will provide planning, analysis, and strategic support to post-secondary providers including schools and partner organizations across Orleans Parish. This position will be responsible for ensuring New Orleans students have access to experiences that will contribute to their post-secondary success. Work will include targeted supports for schools to maximize available funding and scale high-demand programs. Successful candidates will have strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate complex or technical processes into simple, actionable, steps.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Ensures schools have the materials and support necessary to maximize funding and programmatic opportunities by optimizing CDF (Career Development Funds), CTE (Career and Technical Education) Funds, SCA (Supplemental Course Academy) Funds, and STS (Student Transcript System) reporting;
• Develops guidance and dashboards to share school and system progress toward maximizing available funds aligned to supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) and post-secondary initiatives.;
• Analyzes funding streams to identify trends and opportunities for improvement;
• Develops, recommends, implements, and analyzes citywide strategies to ensure all students have access to:
• JumpStart pathways that lead to industry-based credentials in high-growth and high-wage career paths
• High-quality dual enrollment options that lead to meaningful post-secondary credit accumulation
• Effective supports, interventions, and programs that enable students to graduate and be successful after high school.
• Serves as a subject-matter expert on software development projects related to secondary and post-secondary support;
• Leads development of the district’s first early warning system to empower schools to better meet the needs of our students;
• Serves as a liaison between the district and state to support data requests related to differentiated funding;
• Monitors high school data submissions to ensure that data is entered timely and accurately to drive improvements in school funding and accountability;
• Coordinates concurrent enrollment tracking with school staff and partner organizations;
• Supports team with ad-hoc development and analysis as needed.
• Coordinates and provides input and analysis to key local/state initiatives and organizations including the New Orleans Career Center, YouthForce NOLA, Next Level NOLA, New Orleans Carl Perkins Consortium, the Louisiana Department of Education, and Louisiana Extension Academy Programs;
• Supports grant writing/procurement process for any RFQ, funding opportunity, application, or vendor product that enhances college and career readiness;
• Attends staff and other district meetings as necessary; and
• Performs other duties as required.
  
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent industry-based credential(s) required.
• Extensive familiarity with EdLink 360 or legacy Louisiana data systems including CUR and STS.
• Experience conducting analysis and scripting with R and/or Python.
• Experience supporting post-secondary education as a counselor or high school data manager.
• Deep understanding of Louisiana high school accountability and school performance scores.
• Familiarity with charter schools, the education landscape in New Orleans, and applicable policies.
• Knowledge and experience with common development collaboration tools such as Git.
• Experience with Power School and/or JCampus.
  
  
  

Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others and communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful, pleasant, and professional manner.
• Understanding of charter schools, the education landscape in New Orleans, and applicable policies.
• Ability to use basic office procedures and equipment. Expertise in the use of personal computers, literacy in the following software packages: Windows, Microsoft Office Programs with proficiency in Word and Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and multitasking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent information-gathering and monitoring skills
• Problem analysis and problem solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate and partner with various stakeholders.
• Ability to use good judgment and strong decision-making skills.
• Ability to take initiative on projects and complete them successfully without supervision.
• Ability to work well under pressure, while projecting high motivation, maintaining strict confidentiality and handling clients with tact and diplomacy. 
• Comfort with analyzing, managing, and processing large sets of data.
• Ability to follow-up/follow-through on assignments is essential.
• The ability to fulfill the responsibilities listed above
  
  
  

Salaries are determined by educational background and/or relevant years of experience.

Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc.) part of the workday;
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects more than 30 pounds rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals) rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements rarely;
• Normal setting for this job is an office/school setting
  
  
  

Performance Evaluation

The employee will be evaluated based on the above position using either two methods: via COMPASS or a NOLA-PS evaluating instrument. If the employee holds an Educational Leadership certification, he/she will be evaluated via COMPASS to ensure renewal of certification.

EEOC Statement

NOLA Public Schools is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.