JOB TITLE:     Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

REPORTS TO:    Superintendent

SALARY:     $85,000

STATUS:     Certified, 12 Months

SUMMARY:  

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is a leader, spokesperson, and resident expert on curriculum, instruction, pedagogy, and learning. This role works to establish a culture of high expectations and shared responsibility for high quality instruction and academic achievement for all students. The CAO works to create authentic partnerships between district offices and schools to ensure closer alignment of district resources with school needs, to ensure effective teaching in every classroom, and to create conditions that ensure systemic improvement of practice over time in every classroom.  The CAO will oversee principals in assigned areas to resolve school-based concerns and problems.  The CAO performs advanced and supervisory work to carry out Board of Education policies and procedures related to a wide variety of academic programs and activities under the direction of the Superintendent.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Leadership and Student Success

• Cultivate a commitment among all Caswell County Schools employees to ensure rigorous and standards-aligned instruction and instructional supports are provided for every student in every classroom, to ensure high academic achievement for every Caswell County Schools student and achieve the Mission and Vision of Caswell County Schools.
• Coordinate collaboration cross-departmentally to identify and implement the strategies and resources needed to promote high academic achievement for every student.
• Ensure financial and resource allocations provide the best possible resources efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of all Caswell County Schools’s students and schools.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with all state, federal, and district laws, policies, and procedures.

Instructional Leadership

• Lead, coordinate, and direct the efforts of district academic service areas and student support services teams to align resources and support to students and schools with identified district priorities and student needs.
• Provide leadership coaching and support for district administrators, principals, and assistant principals.
• Support informed decision-making by the Superintendent and district leaders by monitoring and effectively interpreting the latest research, trends and development in education.
• Deliver written and oral presentations on academic accountability and student learning data to various stakeholders (i.e. Board of Education, principals, teachers, parents and community groups).
• Apply research and proven best practices to inform theories of pedagogy and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality instruction aligned with key standards.

Instructional Management and Coordinated Services

• Develop and lead data-based processes to effectively evaluate current curriculum programs and instructional practices based on observation, student learning data, and results of testing and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Identify, support, and implement strategic planning for improvement in instructional practices, staff development, and resource allocation to ensure academic growth for all students in the district.
• Work collaboratively with cross-departmental teams at the district level to ensure support for all students, schools, and school leaders.
• Collaborate with community agencies, universities, families, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to identify and utilize available resources and partnerships to promote learning for all students.

Continuous Improvement for Schools Support

• Establish and direct support for school improvement efforts at the district level by monitoring the progress of school performance, student achievement objectives, and academic excellence indicators to coordinate and align effective strategies for school improvement.
• Develop, organize, and implement models of technical assistance for schools with low student achievement; and continuous improvement for schools with average-to-high student achievement.
• Support district and school leaders to develop and implement effective plans and strategies to achieve school and district goals and objectives.
• Strategically manage and allocate resources to align effective support with student needs at the district level

Talent Management and Professional Learning

• Provide input on professional learning activities for Caswell County Schools to ensure a robust, systemic approach to continuous professional learning and growth aligned with district priorities, to meet student academic needs.
• Support and utilize Professional Learning Communities districtwide as a vehicle to provide staff support and improve services for students.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Masters, Ed.S or doctoral degree in Education in an area related to academic accountability services leadership.
• A clear track record of improving academic outcomes for students and eliminating disparities in achievement, opportunities, and services for students as an educational leader.
• Ten years of successful supervisory/administrative/management experience in school and/or district administration, including knowledge of academic and accountability testing preferred.
• Knowledge of best practices, and current national trends and research for the instruction of diverse learners.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a deadline-driven, rapidly changing team environment.
• Currently holds, or eligible for and willing to obtain, a North Carolina licensure certificate in a relevant Administration or Curriculum area.
• Holds, or eligible for and willing to obtain, a North Carolina driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Vision

• Demonstrates belief and holds self and others accountable for reaching high academic achievement of all students.
• Secures buy-in for a clear and compelling vision.

Teaching and Learning Expertise

• Comprehensive knowledge of staff development practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of how to utilize appropriate data and information to make instructional decisions for students.
• Demonstrate ability to develop and deliver programming that drives improved academic performance for all students.
• Understand and implement promising, innovative and effective instructional practices and models.
• Demonstrate knowledge of federal and state regulations and compliance related to students with special needs.
• Proven record of effectively planning, organizing and using resources and systems to provide high-quality professional learning and leadership development on teaching and learning.

Influence and Leadership

• Demonstrate leadership presence that gains the confidence of others.
• Comfortable pushing a group’s thinking and challenging ideas to enable better decisions.
• Skillfully navigate political structures, relationships, and dynamics to improve results for students.
• Actively listen to others, understands nuance, and effectively interprets motivations/perceptions. Able to integrate feedback from others to achieve better results.
• Communicate effectively, tailoring messages appropriately for the audience, context, and mode of communication.
• Build positive relationships and coalitions. Maintain visibility and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels (i.e. district staff, students, families, community, etc.)

Strategic Planning and Effective Execution

• Proactively offer innovative solutions to difficult problems.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and diagnose root causes.
• Exhibit a strong focus on goals and results based on data.
• Demonstrates excellent project management skills, including close attention to detail, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Continuously monitor progress and demonstrate persistence to achieve goals.

Effective Change Management

• Ability to develop and execute approaches to preparing and supporting individuals, teams and organizations in making systemic improvements district wide.
• Ability to use methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, processes, practices, and budget allocations.
• Create an environment that encourages systemic improvement of professional practices over time.
• Use structured approaches to ensure changes are implemented successfully to support sustainable growth and improvement.

Team Leadership and Management

• Assess team and individuals’ skills, identify development needs, and provide feedback and support to improve practice, build capacity, and maximize talent.
• Promote professional learning and utilize effective adult learning techniques.
• Lead teams to collaborate effectively with other departments, teams, and stakeholders.
• Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate new and/or current programs.
• Ability to use current software to include word processing, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing applications.
• Ability to learn and use specialized tools, equipment or software related to business needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and listen.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to fingers, handle, or feel: reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds or more at times.  The employee must have the ability to drive to and between various school buildings and professional meetings.

DISCLAIMER:

These statements of the job descriptions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this category.  The description does not contain an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills and other requirements necessary of employees to perform in this position.