Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services (C139-2627)

Hartford Public Schools; Connecticut; On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Public Schools seeks a Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming to establish a college-going culture across the district. You will align initiatives with district priorities and support principals, counselors, and staff to ensure post-secondary success for every student.

You will oversee alternative programming, graduation policy implementation, internships, and data-driven improvement efforts, driving equity and college/career readiness district-wide.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; leadership in education settings preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and evaluating performance.
• Proven ability to design and deliver professional development for diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with high school accreditation measures and standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate district-wide alternative programming across Hartford Public Schools.
• Support implementation of the district's high school graduation policy and transitions.
• Develop robust internship opportunities and college/career pathways.
• Monitor district/school data on student outcomes and equity; inform decisions.
• Lead professional learning for administrators, counselors, and specialists.

Skills

Staff supervision

Education leadership

Professional development

Performance measurement

High school accreditation

Education

Advanced degree in education

Job description

POSITION:

Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director of Student Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming will establish and sustain a college-going and career-readiness culture throughout Hartford Public Schools, aligning with and supporting the district's strategic priorities. This leader will ensure all students are on track for post-secondary success by:

• Coordinating programmatic elements of alternative program offerings across the district
• Creating models that support the implementation of the district's high school graduation policy
• Developing robust internship opportunities
• Implementing comprehensive student success plans
• Improving cohort graduation rates

The Director will set and monitor performance and program standards for school counselors, college and career specialists, and other secondary staff and specialists in Hartford Public Schools. Using these standards, the Director will support principals by participating in the evaluation process for identified specialists.

The scope of work includes monitoring, analyzing, communicating, and proactively responding to district and school-level data regarding:

• Student on-track status
• Promotion and graduation rates
• Post-secondary entrance assessment results
• Transition planning effectiveness

This position plays a critical role in ensuring equity in post-secondary opportunities and success for all Hartford Public Schools students.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Student-Centered Leadership Support: Prioritize supporting building leaders in developing student engagement initiatives that elevate student voice through activities such as student-led conferences and intentional transition support from grades 5 to 6, 8 to 9, and 12 to college/career.
• Graduation Success Strategies: Facilitate district-wide strategies across traditional and alternative high schools to increase graduation rates for all students. Provide programmatic alignment, oversight, and professional learning to staff in partnership with principals/directors of alternative schooling and personalized pathway options.
• Professional Development: Establish and coordinate comprehensive training and development programs for administrators, school counselors, and specialists aligned with post-secondary success goals.Facilitate and lead professional learning for principals, school counselors, college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators related to implementing the HPS College and Career Framework and related district priorities.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with the Office of Teaching and Learning to develop and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, colleges, and universities that expand post-secondary opportunities for students.
• College & Career Culture: Develop and implement district-wide PK-12 rituals and routines that promote and celebrate a college-going and career-readiness culture aligned with the portrait of an HPS graduate.
• Performance Management: Establish clear program and performance expectations for college career specialists’ positions and related programming consistent with the district's theory of action. Co-evaluate college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators in areas related to guidance, college access, capstone project designs, student e-portfolios, and high school accreditation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Instruction and Student Support Services

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Advanced graduate degree in education, educational leadership, or related field
• Minimum of five (5) successful years of experience in education
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, evaluation, and performance management
• Proven track record designing and delivering effective professional development for diverse educational stakeholders
• Experience with high school accreditation measures, standards, and processes
• Experience creating, implementing, and managing performance measures and accountability systems