Specialist, Strategic Initiatives

District of Columbia Public Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

District of Columbia Public Schools seeks a Specialist, Strategic Initiatives to lead and coordinate high-impact projects within the Office of the Chief of Staff. The role focuses on performance management processes, cross-functional initiatives, and stakeholder communications to advance district priorities.

The position entails handling operational work, including meeting logistics and deliverables such as strategy PowerPoints, memos, and executive communications, while fostering collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3–5 years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in the education sector a plus.
• Strong project management, organizational, and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently while building relationships across teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including reports, presentations, briefing materials, and executive communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; Power BI experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Helps manage tracking and reporting systems for DCPS performance management priorities, including milestones and leading indicators.
• Coordinates the annual performance evaluation process with data and employee services teams.
• Develops presentations, briefing materials, memoranda, and other communications.
• Reviews and prepares materials to ensure accuracy and alignment with district priorities.
• Supports cross-functional projects through research, project management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination of key deliverables.
• Helps lead special projects and initiatives as directed by the Chief of Staff.
• Coordinates development and submission of the DCPS Mayoral Performance Plan and quarterly updates.
• Organizes and coordinates logistics for leadership meetings, workgroups, and cross-office engagements.
• Builds relationships across DCPS offices and with external partners to support collaboration.
• Serves as a liaison across the Office of the Chief of Staff's teams to advance shared priorities and organizational goals.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Coordination

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power BI

SharePoint

Teams

Job description

The O﬋ice of the Chief of Staff works to maximize DCPS’ collective impact through ensuring strategic and data-based decisions, building upon DCPS successes through meaningful hiring and retention strategies, and effectively navigating citywide government partnerships.

Divisions/Teams

OfficeofEmployee Services(OES) supports the work of all school-based and CentralOfficestaff to recruit, hire,retain, and train high-quality employees in the areas of benefits and compensation, Employee Experience, HRSystemsDevelopment, Strategic Staffing, Instructional Talent Acquisition and Retention.

Intergovernmental Affairsadvances DCPS’ legislative agenda, clearly communicates with political leadership,assistselected officials with constituent services related to DCPS, and builds the knowledge and capacity of internal colleagues to understand and navigate political and legislative developments.

Strategic Initiativessupportscollaboration, alignment, and coherence across DCPS throughsystemsand structures focused on the strategic plan, performance management, and annual planning.

Strategic Initiativessupportscollaboration, alignment, and coherence across DCPS throughsystemsand structures focused on the strategic plan, performance management, and annual planning.

The Specialist, Strategic Initiatives supports the Office of the Chief of Staff by leading and coordinating strategic projects, performance management processes, stakeholder communications, and cross-functional initiatives. The role helps drive organizational alignment, strengthen accountability, and advance district priorities. This role will also be responsible for completing operational work, including but not limited to, meeting logistics, scheduling, organizational tasks, and key deliverables, such as strategy PowerPoints, memos, and other products.

This position has been designated as Security Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Traffic record check (as applicable); Consumer credit check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

Position Overview

The O﬋ice of the Chief of Staff works to maximize DCPS’ collective impact through ensuring strategic and data-based decisions, building upon DCPS successes through meaningful hiring and retention strategies, and effectively navigating citywide government partnerships.

Divisions/Teams

• OfficeofEmployee Services(OES) supports the work of all school-based and CentralOfficestaff to recruit, hire,retain, and train high-quality employees in the areas of benefits and compensation, Employee Experience, HRSystemsDevelopment, Strategic Staffing, Instructional Talent Acquisition and Retention.

• Intergovernmental Affairsadvances DCPS’ legislative agenda, clearly communicates with political leadership,assistselected officials with constituent services related to DCPS, and builds the knowledge and capacity of internal colleagues to understand and navigate political and legislative developments.

• Strategic Initiativessupportscollaboration, alignment, and coherence across DCPS throughsystemsand structures focused on the strategic plan, performance management, and annual planning.

Strategic Initiativessupportscollaboration, alignment, and coherence across DCPS throughsystemsand structures focused on the strategic plan, performance management, and annual planning.

The Specialist, Strategic Initiatives will report to the Deputy Chief, Strategic Initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Helps manage tracking and reporting systems for DCPS performance management priorities, including milestones, leading indicators, and alignment to the Capital Commitment.
• Coordinates the annual performance evaluation process, partnering with data and employee services teams to support communications, develop resources, troubleshoot issues, and ensure successful implementation.
• Develops presentations, briefing materials, memoranda, and other communications for internal and external audiences.
• Reviews and prepares materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with district priorities.
• Supports cross-functional projects through research, project management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination of key deliverables.
• Helps lead special projects and initiatives as directed by the Chief of Staff, including employee recognition efforts, customer service initiatives, professional learning opportunities, and other department priorities.
• Coordinates development and submission of the DCPS Mayoral Performance Plan and quarterly performance updates.
• Organizes and coordinates logistics for leadership meetings, workgroups, and other cross-office engagements.
• Builds relationships across DCPS offices and with external partners to support collaboration and successful project implementation.
• Serves as a liaison across the Office of the Chief of Staff's teams to advance shared priorities and organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Strong project management, organizational, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently while building effective relationships and collaborating across teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with particular attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing reports, presentations, briefing materials, and executive communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams; Power BI experience preferred.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [e-mail].