Department of Education Chief of Educational Services

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), is seeking a results-oriented leader to serve as Chief Academic Officer.  The demands of the field have increased in the area of curriculum and instruction in the last two years, with additional legislative action to mandate state model curriculum in several areas. Additionally, there are greater commitments made to the Federal Government as part of the State’s approved Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan.  The State Board of Education has prioritized Academics in its Five-year Strategic Plan to ensure students graduate high school ready to meet the demands of college coursework and the modern workplace.  The Chief Academic Officer plays a critical role in leading the statewide implementation of Connecticut’s college-and career-ready learning expectations and the supports for students requiring special education services. 

Key responsibilities in this role include:

• Collaborating with state and local educational content leaders to continue state support in the statewide implementation of the standards to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so that all students graduate from high school both college- and career-ready.
• Managing a large diverse team of education professionals and operations in the areas of Standards Implementation and Curriculum, Instruction, creating a culture of excellence and commitment to the CSDE’s mission.
• Overseeing partnerships with critical stakeholder groups such as parents, teachers, principals, higher education, business leaders, superintendents, and associations.
• Collaborating with Connecticut’s educators to help them develop model curricula, providing frameworks and tool kits that can be leveraged across the state’s roughly 160 school districts.

The position is located at The State of Connecticut office building at 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.  This is a 40-hour position, that operates Monday-Friday.

No attachments required at this time.  Candidates selected for interview will be asked to provide a resume detailing experience in addition to three (3) pertinent professional references.  State employees selected for interview will be asked to provide a copy of their last two service ratings.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, the Bureau of Human Resources is unable to provide confirmation of receipt and/or the status of applications during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

For all other inquiries, please contact Kim Barberi at kim.barberi@ct.gov; 860-713-6691.

In the Department of Education, this class is accountable for administering programs and operations of statewide educational services to higher education institutions, local school systems and other state and federal agencies.

Administers staff and operations of an educational services function; develops, implements and evaluates educational service policies, goals and objectives to meet educational service needs; designs and develops educational service programs and activities; implements new procedures and procedural revisions pertaining to policies, personnel regulations, expenditures and administrative methods; determines appropriate staffing levels and directs management and coordination of staff; designs and implements performance review standards for educational service staff; prepares or assists in preparation of budget; maintains contacts with department, state, federal and local individuals regarding policy or program activities; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of philosophy and methods of education with emphasis on educational administration and management; considerable knowledge of objectives and purposes of educational services and programs; considerable knowledge of public school administration; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to plan, organize and direct work of large scale educational services; decision making ability; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with departmental professionals and administrators, administrative staff and higher education institutions, local school system, other state and federal agencies, businesses, industry and labor; administrative ability.

An earned advanced degree and twelve (12) years of professional experience in the field of Education or in a related area.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity in the oversight of the development or administration of an educational bureau, system, operation, school or service.
1. Managerial capacity is defined as full time managerial responsibility for a major program. Position will have supervisory responsibilities but the emphasis should be management activities defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies, developing and/or monitoring a budget.
2. For State employees, the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Education Bureau Chief.

1. A 092 certificate (Intermediate Administrator), or 093 certificate (Superintendent), or Sixth Year Diploma in Educational Leadership, or an Ed.D. (Doctorate in Educational Leadership) may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
2. An advanced degree and six (6) years of managerial experience in the oversight of the development or administration of an educational bureau, system, operation, school or service may substitute for the General Experience and the Special Experience.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following experience and training:

• 5 years of work experience with an emphasis on student achievement and demonstrated success driving improved performance as an academic leader in a school, district, state agency or similar enterprise;
• Strong working knowledge of formative and summative assessment, curriculum and professional development, and a track record of leveraging these tools to drive differentiated instruction and student achievement gains;
• Strong critical thinking skills, the ability to select, develop and/or implement useful resources to drive improved educational outcomes;
• Demonstrated success as a leader in a school, district, state agency, or other enterprise with the ability to build and lead a team;
• Experience managing change in large, complex environments with multiple stakeholders and a wide array of divergent points of view;
• Professional maturity, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities, while consistently demonstrating sound judgment and disciplined thinking;
• Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills, with an ability to motivate and inspire a diverse set of stakeholders toward a common goal; and
• Extensive knowledge of the K-12 education landscape, with a knowledge of the Connecticut education landscape and Connecticut Core Standards preferred.

1. May be required to possess an appropriate certificate issued by the State Board of Education.

2. The Superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System must possess proper certification pursuant to Section 10-157 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.