CAVA - Director of Information and Program Evaluation

Socket.dev; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

California Virtual Academies is seeking a Director of Information and Program Evaluation to lead essential functions across the organization: state and federal reporting, instructional program evaluation, internal data systems development, and departmental administration.

The role provides strategic and supervisory oversight to ensure accurate, actionable data that supports instructional excellence, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement across CAVA.

Job description

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA VIRTUAL ACADEMIES AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION AND PROGRAM EVALUATION POSITION:
The California Virtual Academies (a network of 9 public charter schools) delivers online/virtual home based instruction to students in grades TK-12 in California. We use K12, inc. as our curriculum provider for the basis of instruction and teachers provide live instruction via the Engageli platform. While our schools do offer some scheduling flexibility, students are still required to log into the online school daily, complete coursework, and attend instructional sessions.
Under the direction of the Head of Schools, the Director of Information and Program Evaluation provides organization-wide leadership across four core areas: (1) state and federal reporting and accountability, (2) instructional program evaluation, (3) internal data systems development, and (4) departmental administration and management. This role provides direct strategic, technical, and supervisory oversight of Information and Program Evaluation staff to ensure cohesive, accurate, and actionable data systems that support instructional excellence, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement across CAVA.
HOURS AND SALARY INFORMATION:
Monday-Friday work hours between 8:00am-5:00pm. You are not allowed to have another job during these contracted hours.
Salary Range: $118,081 - $147,467
We do participate in CalPERS. Please contact your CalPERS counselor about how employment with California Virtual Academies may affect your personal PERS account. Only full time employees are offered health, dental, and vision benefits. Benefits information is only given out upon offer. We do provide training for all programs and we have a great staff to serve as your support system.

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Information and Program Evaluation
Salary:$118,081 - $147,467
Reports To: Head of Schools
FLSA Status: Exempt

Primary Function
Under the direction of the Head of Schools, the Director of Information and Program Evaluation provides organization-wide leadership across four core areas: (1) state and federal reporting and accountability, (2) instructional program evaluation, (3) internal data systems development, and (4) departmental administration and management. This role provides direct strategic, technical, and supervisory oversight of Information and Program Evaluation staff to ensure cohesive, accurate, and actionable data systems that support instructional excellence, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement across CAVA.
The Director plays a critical leadership role in translating complex data into meaningful insights and ensuring that data infrastructure, analysis, and reporting are aligned to organizational priorities, LCAP goals, and Board-adopted plans.

Supervision

Directly supervises and evaluates Information and Program Evaluation staff; oversees consultants, vendors, and external research partners as appropriate. Establishes clear roles, expectations, workflows, and performance metrics for all staff within the office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. State and Federal Compliance, Data Governance, and Accountability

• Ensure timely and accurate submission of all required state and federal reports, including but not limited to LCAP, Title I, ESSA, and special education compliance reporting.

• Align data systems, assessment practices, and reporting workflows to LCAP goals, Title I requirements, and other state and federal accountability frameworks.

• Ensure integration, accuracy, security, and ethical use of data in all compliance-related functions.

• Establish and enforce data governance, data quality, privacy, and confidentiality standards in accordance with state and federal law (including FERPA and COPPA).

• Support executive leadership and the Boards of Directors with accountability analyses, forecasts, and presentations that guide policy and planning decisions.

• Serve as the organization’s primary point of contact with the California Department of Education and other regulatory agencies on data and reporting matters.

• Manage special education data reporting in coordination with the SELPA and relevant instructional staff to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

• Ensure data systems and records are audit-ready, maintaining documentation that is accurate, complete, and defensible for CDE monitoring visits, charter renewals, and other external reviews.

• Support state and federal student data submissions (including CALPADS) and assessment program administration, including the maintenance of assessment calendars and test security procedures.

2. Instructional Program Evaluation and Research

• Direct formative and summative program evaluations aligned to the organization’s strategic priorities and instructional goals.

• Oversee research studies evaluating the effectiveness, equity, and impact of instructional programs and interventions.

• Lead advanced data analysis to identify trends, achievement gaps, and areas for instructional improvement.

• Prepare evaluation reports and board presentations with clear findings and actionable recommendations.

• Serve as a key advisor to executive and instructional leadership in the development, monitoring, and refinement of the organization’s strategic plan.

• Establish measurable outcomes, performance indicators, and monitoring frameworks to track progress toward strategic and instructional objectives.

• Lead the use of data and evaluation findings to inform long-range planning, program design, resource allocation, and organizational improvement.

• Promote a culture of data-informed, strategically aligned decision-making across instructional departments.

• Provide professional development on data literacy and continuous improvement practices for instructional and administrative staff.

• Oversee the preparation and publication of student outcomes reports for families and the public, including school report cards and annual performance summaries.

• Lead disaggregated data analysis by student subgroup (English Learners, students with disabilities, foster youth, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and others) to identify and address equity gaps in student outcomes.

3. Internal Systems Development

• Provide leadership for organization-wide information and data systems, ensuring they are scalable, integrated, and aligned to organizational needs.

• Collaborate with third‑party Technology Services providers and instructional departments to support strategic and operational data needs.

• Design and maintain dashboards and reports aligned to strategic goals and accessible to relevant stakeholders.

• Translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse audiences including teachers, administrators, and board members.

• Develop and implement data infrastructure improvements that increase the organization’s capacity for self‑service reporting and real‑time decision support.

• Establish clear roles, workflows, and performance standards for Information and Program Evaluation staff to ensure reliable and efficient data operations.

• Monitor operational effectiveness of data systems and recommend improvements as organizational needs evolve.

• Manage relationships with software vendors and platform providers (including SIS, assessment, and reporting platforms), including contract oversight, renewals, and performance evaluation.

• Develop and deliver training and onboarding for staff on internal data systems, tools, and reporting platforms to ensure effective and consistent use across the organization.

4. Administration and Management

• Directly supervise and evaluate assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff; oversee consultants and external research partners as appropriate.

• Develop and administer departmental budgets aligned to strategic priorities.

• Recruit, onboard, and retain high‑performing staff within the Information and Program Evaluation office.

• Collaborate across departments and represent the organization externally at conferences, with authorizing agencies, and with peer organizations as needed.

• Maintain compliance with applicable organizational policies and applicable law.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in educational research, evaluation, data science, information systems, or a related field required.

• Doctorate (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) preferred.