Chief of Schools

DeKalb County School District
Position Specification
Title: Chief of Schools
DIVISION: Superintendent’s Office                                                                            GRADE/SCHEDULE: DPC
DEPARTMENT: Superintendent’s Office                                                                          WORKDAYS: 246
REPORTS TO: Superintendent                                                                                   FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RETIREMENT: Teachers Retirement System                                                                       APPROVED (HR): July 1, 2023


                                                                      GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, reports directly to the Superintendent and serves in the second highest
tier of administration in the organization; ensures the daily implementation of Accountability and
Continuous Improvement functions which are fundamental to the effective and efficient operation
of the District; has oversight responsibility for the planning, organization, monitoring and
coordination of leadership, and direction for the efficient operation and academic management of
schools in accordance with Board policy and strategic initiatives. The Chief of Schools supervises
the Area Superintendents, and has regular contact with school administrators, district leadership,
and Central Office staff.

                                     SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:
The following duties are representative of this position. The omission of specific statements of duties
does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment
for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

              •     Provides leadership and oversight of Area Superintendents and school leaders.
                    Builds systemic, coherent alignment across these areas and individuals. Develop the
                    skills of leaders across teams to design, test, iterate and measure ideas that
                    transform schooling
              •     Ensures all team members are accountable for meeting clear expectations and
                    supporting the implementation of the strategic plan initiatives related to the
                    operation of the schools
              •     Assists Area Superintendents and their teams in root cause analyses, develops
                    theories of action and builds coherent multi-year strategies
              •     Supports Area Superintendents with assessing, planning, and implementing training
                    for principals and other instructional staff; cultivates Instructional Leaders to ensure
                    the development of high-performing school teams that integrate a data-driven,
                    equity-focused, and multi-tiered approach to increasing student achievement
              •     Provides strategic leadership in the design, planning, implementation, and
                    evaluation of goals, short and long-range plans, and programs in the areas of school
                    improvement plans and overall school performance
              •     Oversees the leadership development program to assist in developing, monitoring,
                    and coordinating training and development opportunities for aspiring, novice, and
                    experienced teacher leaders, school administrators, and district-based
                    administrators.
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specifica tion, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human
Resources will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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                                                                                                                                        Chief of Leadership and Schools


              •     Supervises the leadership development program of DCSD leaders to cultivate and
                    ensure high performing school support teams that integrate a data-driven, equity
                    focused, and multi-tiered approach to leadership
              •     Works with Area Superintendents to closely monitor school improvement through a
                    cycle of continuous improvement and sound management practices and provides
                    frequent, actionable feedback to improve leadership practice and achieve better
                    results
              •     Collaborates with Chief Academic Officer to develop communication systems that
                    ensure a smooth flow of information (both vertically and horizontally), enable
                    concentrated energy on highest-priority goals for each school, and ensure shared
                    best practices across schools
              •     Drives coherence among instructional and leadership development initiatives for
                    school leaders and school teams in collaboration with other district office
                    departments
              •     Maintains a cutting-edge awareness of promising practices and innovations in
                    programs and policies for teaching, learning, and school design that can be
                    utilized/implemented to increase student achievement in all categories of students
              •     Coordinates effectively with the Chief Academic Officer to ensure standards-aligned
                    curriculum, assessments, and instructional practices are implemented with fidelity
              •     Performs other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience
Master’s degree from an approved accredited college or university required.
Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience in a
school system setting or as an executive with demonstrated successful advancement through the
administrative or executive managerial hierarchy, as appropriate, required.

Experience in school leadership is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Permits
Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved certificate in educational leadership at
level L-5, NL-5, PL-6 or above required. If a level L-5, NL-5, PL-6 or above certificate is not held, the
individual must be eligible for the NPL certificate in educational leadership or Support Personnel
License from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of effective change management for culture, systems and practices, organizational and
department planning and operational procedures
Knowledge of the organization of a specific assigned area
Knowledge of curriculum and instruction and other student-related services
Knowledge of school turn-around practices
Knowledge of budgeting and spending, labor issues, and efficiencies

Skilled in coordinating and collaborating with federal, state, regional, and local organizations, and
departments to establish and execute responsibilities
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human
Resources will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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                                                                                                                                        Chief of Leadership and Schools


Skilled in administration and management skills gained through increasingly responsible
management positions
Skilled in recruiting, training, and motivating employees
Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Skilled in administering the school system’s discipline policies; counseling students with academic
difficulties and behavioral problems

Ability to direct and administer the programs and services of a non-profit educational and/or
service organization
Ability to establish objectives and procedures governing the performance of assigned activities
among employees
Ability to develop and understand financial and/or operating reports; maintain confidential
information
Ability to analyze, interpret and report test data
Ability to use relevant computer applications, prioritize assignments and manage multiple tasks
simultaneously

ADA Requirements:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of
force frequently or constantly to lift carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the
human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and
standing are required only occasionally and all sedentary criteria are met.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the
whole hand or arm as in handling.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. One must have the ability
to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication; and to make fine
discrimination in sounds, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts with or
without correction.
Vision: The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Acuity (near and far vision), depth
perception (three dimensional vision), accommodation (adjustment of lens to eye to bring an object
into sharp focus), field of vision (area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes
are fixed on a given point) and color vision (ability to distinguish and identify colors) are required
factors.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Performance Factors:
Interaction with Others: Ability to maintain, on a regular and consistent basis, relationships that
are not characterized by high levels of hostility, social withdrawal or failure to communicate. Ability
to be flexible in situations relative to daily routines. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the
differences among diverse populations.



Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human
Resources will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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                                                                                                                                        Chief of Leadership and Schools


Concentration: Ability to maintain workflow and thought processes in the presence of frequent
distractions. Ability to ignore irrelevant sights or sounds and intrusive thoughts or stimuli. Ability to
manage multiple tasks simultaneously with only few or no errors.
Stressful Circumstances: Ability to produce quality work when short or unexpected deadlines are
presented. Ability to adjust work processes without incident when new and unexpected directions
are given relative to a project that may be in process. Ability to maintain composure and not
compound a situation when interacting with persons who may be angry, demanding or otherwise
less than polite.
Independent Judgment: Ability to complete work tasks without being given procedure directions
relative to works steps or the final project.
Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions.
Organizational Skills: Ability to establish priorities; simultaneously manage multiple tasks; and
deliver a quality work product by a designated deadline.
Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize errors or layout features that detract from the physical
attractiveness or accuracy of a work product.
Public Contact: Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing,
with superiors, colleagues, and other individuals within and external to the school system. Ability to
demonstrate professionalism while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working
relationships.
Attendance and Dependability: Ability to be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time
and to seldom be absent from work. Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate manner and to
be conscientious about work performance.




Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the
general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human
Resources will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.


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