Director of Education, YouthBuild Charter School

Posted by on May 13, 2005

[emailed 5/10/2005]

Job Description for Director of Education

Background
The YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is an education and job-training program for young adults who have dropped out of high school. Students in the program alternate six week sessions between the classroom site, where they attend academic classes, and develop career related, leadership and life skills, and the construction worksite where they develop real-world work skills while rebuilding abandoned houses for sale to first-time homebuyers. The School enrolls between 150 and 200 students each year, and has been in operation for 13 years (chartered in 1997). Regular hours for this position are from 7:30 a.m. -3:30p.m.

Mission
Our mission is to provide out of school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools supports and opportunities available to become self sufficient, responsible and productive citizens in their community. The emphasis is on transitioning them successfully so that they will succeed in top-quality training schools, colleges, union apprenticeship programs, other careers and the competitive world beyond.

Core Values
* Excellence * Perseverance * Respect *

Job Description
? Believe deeply in the mission and values of YBPCS
? Develop and appropriately advance the organization?s programming and academic goals.
? Supervise teachers, case managers, receptionist, and dean of students
? Get to know the 150-200 students and the school community in order to effectively oversee implementation of day to day student issues, including discipline, support services, and academic activities
? Be an instructional leader seeking to develop all people in the school community
? Coordinate academic activities with hands-on work-based learning component.
? Be active in advisories, learning plan meetings, internship meetings, and student exhibitions
? Establish and maintain strong education department.
? Participate with strong management team in decision-making and planning process.
? Maintain an organizational climate and culture which attracts, keeps and motivates top quality teachers and case managers.
? Execute and oversee implementation of education-related grants and contracts.
? Ensure organizational compliance with all education regulations, especially Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines, mandates and reporting responsibilities.
? Ensure compliance with Special Education laws and mandates
? Maintain knowledge of trends related to education of out-of-school youth.
? Manage the recruitment, employment and termination of education personnel in compliance with applicable employment laws.
? Provide appropriate supervision and professional development for teachers, case managers and program staff.
? Lead and supervise department meetings and all staff meetings as required
? Attend service projects in keeping with the school?s strong service learning emphasis
? Ensure that sound human resources practices are established and adhered to, such as development of job descriptions and completion of performance evaluations etc.
? Prepare the department?s budget and collaborate with management team to prepare agency budget.
? Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications
YBPCS requires the following qualifications for this position:
? Masters degree or equivalent experience, and at least five years of senior management experience in alternative education environment. Principals/Supervisor certification preferred.
? Ability to motivate staff through effective leadership, mentoring, coaching, development and evaluation.
? Demonstrated commitment to youth development, education and advancement.
? Commitment to building and maintaining strong management practices.
? Ability to develop and manage a budget.
? Ability to think strategically, analyze critically and put ideas and insights into action through well-planned programs.
? Ability to define appropriate measures, and analyze and evaluate outcomes of implemented policies and programs.
? Ability to convey an education vision, and demonstrate commitment to mission.
? Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
? Excellent planning and organizational skills.
? Strong presentation skills.
? Strong interpersonal skills.

For further information about this position, please contact:
Laura McHugh
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
215-627-8671 ext. 22
267-549-3536 (cell)
lmchugh@youthbuildphilly.org