Operations / Administration Chief of Staff
Job Description
DEFINITION
The Chief of Staff is responsible for staff administration under the direction of the Superintendent. Monitors and ensures alignment of all work and initiatives with the school division’s strategic plan and direction.
Operations of the Executive Team and Leadership Team
- Participate with the Superintendent and other executive team staff in strategic planning, policy development, and problem resolution of complex issues and needs.
- Support the executive team and leadership team by coordinating agendas, facilitating meetings, and ensuring that follow-up actions are completed, and coordinating logistics.
Operations of the Office of the Superintendent and District Office
Direct all facets of the operations of the Superintendent’s office to maintain focus on strategic priorities.
- Respond to inquiries, concerns, and complaints regarding issues, programs, policies, and procedures in areas of responsibility and keep the Superintendent informed about key happenings, progress, etc.
- Set the strategic direction of the superintendent’s calendar to ensure that it aligns with his/her 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.
- Prepares and contributes to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations and responses on strategic issues as appropriate.
- Oversee district office manager to ensure inquiries and information requests are accurately fielded and that the Carbondale district office and building run successfully.
- Oversee the Carbondale district office facility.
- Arrange rooms, set-up meetings, and organize meals for board and instructional team meetings and events.
- Represent the Board of Education and Superintendent at public events and in various capacities with government and community organizations.
- Serve as the District Accountability Committee liaison.
Public Information and Communication
- Serve as chief communication strategist on district initiatives, goals, and priorities with focus on forward looking message and communications planning
- Serves as principal advisor providing comprehensive and proactive communications, strategies and planning, media relations, and news analysis to the superintendent, Board of Education and Leadership Team and is responsible for all district communications.
- Oversee bilingual communication staff member’s implementation of the district’s communication plan.
- Oversee all communication efforts of the district including parent and staff newsletters, press releases, district website and social media accounts, etc.
- Facilitate communication with all stakeholders and ensure that the Superintendent’s office is responsive to the needs of the Board, staff, and community.
- Author or review all communication on behalf of the executive team or of high-importance to the district, including press releases, parent letters, and staff communications.
- Oversee all communications across the district and support building and department leaders in developing and implementing building communication plans and brand consistency.
- Coordinate the communication leads team
- Serve as district spokesperson during times of crisis.
- Advise school board, staff, and administrators on high-importance messages to school community and/or media.
- Provide communications professional development and support for school leaders and communication leads
- Participate in local PIO group and coordinate with communication professionals as needed in response to crises and in support of local initiatives and efforts.
District-Community Partnerships
- Manage district-community partnerships, including:
- Acting as “doorway to district” with potential community partners, building relationships with partners and facilitating connections to appropriate RFSD leaders
- Creating and maintaining partnership agreements and supports, ensuring that partners have resources and access, that agreements are up to date and codified in contracts and memoranda of understanding (MOU), that partnerships align with district priorities and values
- Ensuring that the school district is represented in community collaborations.
- Coordinate the charter authorization and renewal process
Board Governance
- Oversee Board communication and preparation of materials for Board meetings and retreats. Plan meeting agendas and work sessions with Board leadership.
- Work in partnership with Board leadership to improve governance and meeting facilitation, including developing materials and officer guides.
- Serve as district’s Designated Election Official and ensure compliance with all election deadlines and notification requirements.
Policies, Records Management, and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with board policies, regulations and local, state and federal laws. Monitor communications with CDE and CASB and ensure that the district is aware of, and in compliance with, state policies, regulations and deadlines.
- Maintain and update board policies and policy manuals, ensure policies are accurate and up to date.
- Oversee and organize the district’s legal records, contracts, and MOU documents.
- Serve as the district’s Custodian of Records for records requests, including those related to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
- Coordinate archival of district records in compliance with state laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrates excellent execution and organization skills, including attention to detail, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in.
- Ability to actively listen to others, build consensus, and resolve conflicts.
- Ability to skillfully navigate existing political structures/systems and demonstrate diplomacy as a representative of the school district.
- Ability to motivate, inspire, and move others into action to achieve assigned goals.
- Knowledge and experience in K-12 education.
- Understanding and experience with a regulatory environment at a district, state, or federal level (including the ability to read contacts, review statutes and policies)
- Knowledge of public meetings and records law and how the Board of Education and staff interact to achieve short and long-term District goals.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
- Ability to work successfully alone or on a team.
- Bilingual and biliterate (English and Spanish) preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Exercise sound judgment in the release of information and materials to the public and media.
- Ability to set clear agendas and facilitate effective meetings.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION/TRAINING GUIDELINES
Experience: Three (3) years experience working directly with executive leaders, board members, non-profits or community representatives is strongly preferred. Coordinating communication efforts is essential.
Education and Training: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, educational administration, public relations, communication or equivalent work experience in the areas of administration, communication and/or public relations.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office environment; exposure to computer screens. Travel to different sites for meetings and/or function and working irregular hours when needed, including evenings.
Physical Conditions: Primary functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of times; use of computer keyboard and attending night meetings.
SALARY RANGE AND DAYS WORKED
Salary range: $120,000-$150,000, depending on education and years of experience.
Days worked: this is an exempt, year-round position, scheduled to work 252 days/year.
ABOUT THE ROARING FORK SCHOOLS
The Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) offers full district paid employee health benefits as well as voluntary vision, dental, and dependent coverage. Other benefits include: paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs.
With 13 schools and 5,600 students, the Roaring Fork School District is located in the culturally vibrant and naturally stunning Roaring Fork Valley serving the communities of Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Basalt. The Roaring Fork Schools believe that teachers are our most important asset, and our teachers enjoy a true teacher voice in decision-making; clear and collaborative leadership; small class sizes (average – 21); a highly competitive and progressive salary schedule; access to our affordable housing program; and a culture of self-care and well-being. We believe diversity is a strength, and our staff makes a real difference for our students who come from different ethnicities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Why work for the Roaring Fork Schools? Check us out at: https://youtu.be/nYEsuFVucJ8
