General Job Information Job Summary The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating, and deepening the progress being made for the District's 90,000+ students. OSSE serves as the District's liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District's 470+ early childhood facilities, 250+ schools, 60+ local education agencies (including DCPS and charter organizations), and community-based organizations to provide critical programming and resources to our stakeholders. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) seeks a Special Assistant for School Improvement as we embark on a redesign of our school improvement strategy. This work is led by the Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Schools with contributions from multiple divisions and teams across the agency, including Chief of Staff; Teaching and Learning; Data, Assessment, and Research; and Strategic Funding for School Quality. We are looking for a Special Assistant to lead the design and implementation of our strategic plan initiative for school improvement in close partnership with teams across the agency. Specifically, this position will play an essential role in redesigning how OSSE as the state education agency will drive rapid acceleration for our lowest-performing schools through a combination of robust supports and accountability structures. The Special Assistant will report directly to the Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Schools and be a founding member of the agency's School Improvement Team, which will be built out over time. To succeed, the ideal candidate will be an excellent project manager, relationship-builder, and synthesizer of information. He or she should have experience with complex project and cross-team management and will thrive when climbing new learning curves, navigating ambiguity, working collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders, and sweating the details to translate vision into action. Duties and Responsibilities Plans, develops, and coordinates special assignments and projects. Studies , coordinates and recommends resolution of major short- and long-term management and operational problems, which have surfaced that are not systematic in nature. Oversees and coordinates management projects, ensuring that projects are carried out in a timely manner, and in accordance with established policies and procedures. Develops and/or facilitates improvment projects with objectives and taks, establishes completion timelines, and monitor implementation. Troubleshoots, investigates and provides recommendations on complex and politcally sensitive issues and problems relative to organization services, activities, and initiatives. Advises the Executive Official on current activities and information that my affect the organization's functions. Actively, participates in decision-making meetings concerning organization operations, goals and objectives to successfully accomplish its mission. Qualifications and Education Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education preferred. Must have strong written and verbal communications skills for a variety of audiences. Prior experience working in public education (at a school site) and/or with state-led school improvement work, managing public-sector grant programs, as well as knowledge of the DC education and/or government landscape are highly desired skills of specialized experience. Licenses and Certifications None Working Conditions/Environment Work is normally performed in an office environment. Other Significant Factors Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; Varies Duration of Appointment: This is an Education Service (ES), "At-Will" Appointment. All positions and appointments in the Education Service serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. Promotion Potential: No known promotional potential Plan, Series, Grade: CS-301-14 Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Position Designation: In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed Protection-Sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure. Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference" will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment. Residency Requirement Statement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment. EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.