Director of Secondary and Post-Secondary Access and Support

This position has a hybrid work schedule (remote/onsite) and can be based out of Aspire's Oakland Home Office, Los Angeles Regional Office or Central Valley Regional office.

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998-in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through-Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Secondary and Post-Secondary Access and Support is an essential member of the Aspire Public Schools Team and will focus on Secondary and Post-Secondary Access. This position will be responsible for driving cross-regional collaboration with leadership to align on the vision, program development, results-oriented and successful implementation of ASPIRE's evolving Secondary and Post Secondary Program and serving as a point person for all PSS and secondary compliance, concerns, data, policies, handbooks, organization-wide partnership contracts and board approvals. The Director of Secondary and Post-Secondary Success and Support will drive cross-regional collaboration and provide monitoring and support to align and ensure compliance through the following responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Administrative Oversight and Support

Drive the cross-regional collaboration with leadership to align on the vision, program development, results-oriented and successful implementation of ASPIRE's evolving Secondary and Post-Secondary Program, including:

• Drive cross-regional collaboration with leadership to align on the vision and scope for senior transition
• Conduct data stepbacks (e.g., GPA, matriculation, AP Pass Rates)
• Co-create and align regional metrics for PSS Programming
• Oversee consistent and equitable implementation of secondary grading policy
• Revise and update Secondary and PSS policy manuals and documents to reflect legislative changes and other updates; present to Board for approval
• Execute transcript updates, adjustments and improvements
• Craft and implement processes (e.g., financial aid application opt-out process) for reporting purposes
• Monitor credit recovery program for consistency and compliance for 9-12
• Lead graduation waiver request planning and evaluation, and process improvement
• Oversee the coordination of Alumni data and PSS fundraising efforts

Serve as primary source and oversee compliance for PSS team and Secondary program including:

• Oversee A-G Portal Management and serve as A-G Expert for organization-wide course approvals; track A-G progress for 9th-12th grade
• Serve as org-wide expert on higher education policy in order to transfer knowledge (e.g. policies and changes) from higher education world to Aspire secondary program
• Take the lead with standardized testing agencies on keeping accounts open and up to date, extracting scores, and collaborating with Aspire's data team on uploading and quality checking scores
• Serve as point person to ensure vendor contracts (e.g., Naviance, Beyond12) are signed and processed

Additional:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
• Actively seeks to improve and simplify Aspire's approach to particular job functions
• Comfortable with utilization of technology in a remote environment
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Competencies:

• Vast knowledge of the Secondary and Post-Secondary systems, standards, organizations, partners and compliance. Secondary instructional leadership experience required with proven results in student learning.
• High school counseling or site leadership experience recommended
• Outstanding ability to lead, including influencing and motivating others
• Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed
• Ability to occasionally travel to schools, regional/home office, and to professional development without the organization
• Demonstrated educational philosophy and methods that encourage the development of active and lifelong learning
• Ability to demonstrate creative and flexible thinking
• Strong time and task management skills, enabling multiple projects to be completed on time
• Alignment to and urgency around Aspire's mission, vision and values
• Excellent team player: always puts the team's goals first and works to support and motivate peers
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to move comfortably between high level strategic thinking and intricate details
• Excellent ability to drive change and build buy-in through relationship building
• Familiarity and alignment with the Leading for Equity Framework, Liberatory Design and Learning to Improve
• Be an active learner and teammate.

Educational level:

• Bachelor's degree with relevant teaching, required
• PPS credential or equivalent required
• Master's degree preferred

Experience required:

• 5+ years of experience in an educational setting, ideally as a school counselor and/or high school administrator
• Experience working as an educator or on site at a 9-12 school environment for 3 or more years
• Experience working in dynamic, high-performing work environment

• This is a two year, grant funded position.