Operations / Administration Northwest BOCES Executive Director
Job Description
The Regional Community
NW BOCES is located in Steamboat Springs and serves seven rural school districts in Grand, Jackson, Routt and Moffat Counties in Northwest Colorado, an area totaling nearly 6,000 square miles with a population estimated at 56,000. The member districts’ student populations range in size from approx. 180-2,700 students. The area provides many recreational activities including world-class skiing, hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing and golf.
Major Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Serves as the Executive Director of the NW BOCES for the six member districts and one associate member district in its service area
- Hires and supervises all NW BOCES staff
- Responsible for and facilitates the NW BOCES alternative licensure program and induction program for member districts
- Provides supervision of BOCES programs and grants
- Works with the Board of Directors, Superintendents Advisory Council, and the staff to develop and implement programs and services to meet the needs of the member districts
- Provides leadership to the Board of Directors and Superintendents Advisory Council
- Provides leadership for the development and execution of the policies and directions of the Board of Directors
- Manages and supervises the NW BOCES organization in compliance with all policies of the Board of Directors
- Maintains compliance and reporting with the applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
Compensation
The BOCES Board is offering a full-time annual salary of $90,000-$120,000 (depending on experience and credentials) and competitive benefits including CO PERA Retirement Plan, vehicle, individual health, dental & vision insurance, and paid leave in accordance with BOCES policy.
NW BOCES
NW BOCES is an authorized agency under Colorado statutes, serving seven school districts in northwest Colorado (six member districts and one associate member, Moffat County School District). NW BOCES provides shared services and programs which supplement and support those districts.
NW BOCES was formed in 1967 as the Child Study Center, when three founding districts recognized a need to provide extra services to children with special needs, by sharing specialists and funding. The original charter – to provide mandated special education services among geographically distant mountainous districts – remains a primary focus today.
Programs offered through the NW BOCES include:
- Special Education: the largest BOCES program, providing special education services to member districts and overseeing special education teachers and paraprofessionals employed by those districts.
- Alternative Licensure: NW BOCES is a designated agency for alternative teacher preparation, and the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of this program including content delivery.
- Induction: this program serves newly licensed educators in 5 districts.
- Professional Development: Includes an annual “COLLAB Day” for all educators in the Northwest region.
- Gifted and Talented: support for district’s gifted and talented coordinators including a “Model-UN” event, and fiscal agency for regional GT funds.
NW BOCES currently employs 35 people including a special education director, an assistant special education director, school psychologists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, other special service providers, and a support staff comprising: finance and human resources director, professional learning coordinator, technology and media manager, data & records manager and administrative assistant.
The BOCES Board is comprised of a representative member from each of the six member school districts, and is supported by the six superintendents and the Executive Director. The Board has regular board meetings every other month and the Superintendents Advisory Council meets monthly.
NW BOCES is responsible for special education in its member school districts, and provides oversight to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Special education teachers and paraprofessionals are employed by the member districts.
Qualifications
The NW BOCES Board has determined the following qualities to be essential to the success of their future NWBOCES Executive Director. We desire a Director who:
- Holds or is eligible to hold a license for Administrator
- Has extensive understanding of special education laws, regulations, and services. (SPED endorsement preferred; extensive supervision of SPED services required)
- Is knowledgeable in Colorado state and federal school law
- Has a broad PK-12 educational background including classroom and administrative experience
- Has current knowledge of school finance, budgeting, and personnel policy
- Can build and maintain partnerships among member school districts, service providers, and families to benefit students
- Is collaborative, approachable, supportive, highly organized, creative, flexible, and positive
- Has excellent listening and communication skills
- Is a decisive, consistent leader who helps diverse groups unify
- Values integrity and objectivity
- Is willing to drive for non-local meetings frequently
How to Apply
Timeline Application Deadline: February 24, 2020 Interviews: To be determined with finalists Date of Employment: July 1, 2020 The Application Process An application to be completed online at www.nwboces.org under Employment includes:- A current professional resume
- Transcripts, placement papers and/or credentials requested by the applicant from college or university placement center (photocopies are acceptable)
- Three recent letters of recommendation (dated within the past two years)
- Names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references with current, relevant knowledge of the applicant’s qualifications
- Any current licenses that relate to this position
- Discuss your professional goals, where you expect to be in 5-10 years, and your interest in Northwest Colorado. Include your professional educational background and discuss your highest achievements and greatest strengths.
- Describe how you would provide leadership to support superintendents, building principals, teachers, specialized staff, and community in our diverse member school districts to increase student achievement.
- Describe how you would approach budget development and management, given that over 50% of our budget relates to staff costs and that we have multiple funding sources.
