Director of School Climate & Belonging

State of Vermont • Calais, VT

6d • Remote

About The Position

The Agency of Education's newly formed Safe and Healthy Schools Division is seeking qualified candidates for a Director of School Climate & Belonging. This new role will function as lead and subject matter expert for school climate strategies, and will lead and direct the work of the Agency's new School Climate & Belonging team. The Director will act as a state leader in school climate and belonging work and related initiatives, and will develop and align a comprehensive state-level school climate prevention strategy.   Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate expert-level knowledge of best practices related to: classroom and school intervention models; behavioral support tools for preK-12 students; effective incorporation of social-emotional learning, and; other educator prevention or intervention models such as multi-tiered systems of support (mtss), PBIS (positive behavior intervention supports), restorative classroom practices, and similar. This position will independently lead activities related to Agency operations and organizational strategies for improving school climate and belonging, and will drive significant field interaction and integrated district-level supports.   Other duties will include:  Lead multi-year work related to the development and implementation of model policies and procedures for HHB reporting, resolution, and prevention in schools, and act as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact during design, development, and engagement for HHB resources and integration of state-level HHB initiatives with other state Agency work. Lead the development of an Agency quality assurance process related to HHB and school climate proficiency, leveraging the expertise of internal and external stakeholders to develop technical guidance for Vermont school districts. In the context of potential district transformation or consolidation, this position will lead the development of key indicators of success, or criteria for quality assurance, related to HHB response and prevention in all schools in a consistent, equitable, and inclusive manner. Identify emerging and consistent school climate themes and trendlines through data tracking and outcome targets, review of national-level resources and data, and execute effective support to VT schools and districts in creative and proactive, collaborative thinking for resources, tools, and support for LEAs.   The Director will have significant interaction with external stakeholders, including representatives from other State Agencies, school district staff and administrators, professional education organizations, and federal government partners. This position may, on occasion, be asked to provide testimony related to school climate and belonging, HHB, and social-emotional learning.   This role is largely autonomous, and engages with other AOE division leaders, federal program officers, and other State contacts, as needed. Successful candidates must have demonstrated the ability to complete their work through independent problem-solving, data-based decision-making, and mastery of relevant communication and time and project management skills.   This position is eligible for remote work in accordance with existing state telework policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education, school or child psychology, or related field AND three (3) years or more of experience in school climate, student support services, behavioral support, education policy, organizational development in school or youth-based systems, or other related fields.
• Six (6) years or more of experience in education, school or child psychology including demonstrated work in school climate, student support services, behavioral support, education policy, organizational development in school or youth-based systems, or other related fields.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience supporting marginalized groups, youth, or families.
• Experience supporting K-12 schools or school-based systems is preferred, but related work supporting youth-based services or programs will be considered.
• Interdisciplinary backgrounds which include a combination of demonstrated skill and experience in student support services or other school climate work, continuous improvement and/or data-centered systems improvements, and education policy.
• Relevant experience in continuous improvement, strategic planning, organizational redesign, change management, and performance analysis for education or youth-based systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-year work related to the development and implementation of model policies and procedures for HHB reporting, resolution, and prevention in schools, and act as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact during design, development, and engagement for HHB resources and integration of state-level HHB initiatives with other state Agency work.
• Lead the development of an Agency quality assurance process related to HHB and school climate proficiency, leveraging the expertise of internal and external stakeholders to develop technical guidance for Vermont school districts. In the context of potential district transformation or consolidation, this position will lead the development of key indicators of success, or criteria for quality assurance, related to HHB response and prevention in all schools in a consistent, equitable, and inclusive manner.
• Identify emerging and consistent school climate themes and trendlines through data tracking and outcome targets, review of national-level resources and data, and execute effective support to VT schools and districts in creative and proactive, collaborative thinking for resources, tools, and support for LEAs.

Benefits

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees