Director, Academic Program Policy, OML - 25639

Position Summary: The Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) ensures that our Multilingual Learners/English Language Learners (MLs/ELLs) receive the high-quality, rigorous learning opportunities and targeted support they need to thrive in college and careers. OML drives the New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS’) focus on and support of its MLs/ELLs and creates professional development opportunities across New York City to help educators support all students to be MLs/ELLs. Consistent with the NYCPS, OML is committed to better serving culturally and linguistically diverse learners and promoting equity by:

• Leading all ML/ELL initiatives system wide, including the creation, development, deployment, implementation, and monitoring of ML/ELL supports, resources, and services across districts, offices, and schools;
• Developing and implementing innovative programs and supports to ensure postsecondary success and welcoming school environments for every ML/ELL and immigrant student, including MLs/ELLs with disabilities, in temporary housing, with interrupted formal education, or who are newcomers or long-term ELLs;
• Expanding parent choice with the creation of new Dual Language Bilingual Education and Transitional Bilingual Education programs to support MLs/ELLs in gaining language proficiency in English and their home language;
• Promoting meaningful family and community empowerment; and
• Providing standards-aligned professional development opportunities for principals, teachers and staff to deepen their understanding of language acquisition and literacy development.
  
  

 

The Policy & Data Team in the Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) is responsible for establishing a coherent systemwide process for supporting multilingual learners, program design and implementation in alignment with the expectations set forth in the New York State’s Blueprint for ML/ELL Success.

The Director, Academic Program Policy manages the Policy team, analyzes regulations and legislation, and communicates policy priorities to a variety of audiences. They oversee the development and implementation of NYCPS’ multilingual policy and programmatic priorities. Performs related work.

 

Reports to: Executive Director, Policy & Data

 

Direct Reports: N/A

 

Key Relationships: Executive Director of Strategic planning and team, borough ML/ELL directors, district ELL Compliance Performance Specialists, Office of Academic Policy and Systems Senior Directors, and Division of School Leadership Senior Directors of School Finance.

Responsibilities 

 

• Leads the planning, implementation and conduct of major ML/ELL program development, policy research and creation. This includes developing and clarifying academic policies such as bilingual education program regulations, English as a New Language provision, and World Language pathways.
• Leads the tracking and analysis of data about student programs and outcomes and, with the leadership of the Executive Director of Policy & Data, coordinates with the Division of School Leadership to hold the system accountable for those outcomes.
• Manages the escalation and resolution process for ML/ELL academic policy issues that arise from Central and school-based stakeholders. 
• Prioritizes data system enhancements to improve the data accuracy of schools in the provision of ELL services and programming and overseeing their lifecycle to ensure on-time delivery to schools. 
• Develops and executes processes to ensure data quality, including the system-wide use of custom reports and design of data tests for the purpose of monitoring ML/ELL identification, services and programming.
• Oversees regular audits of academic policies regarding ELL services and program management. 
• Serves as key liaison for team performance management, including managing annual goal setting for the team and tracking progress toward meeting goals.  
  
  

 

Qualification Requirements: 

 

Minimum  

 

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, educational psychology, educational leadership, public administration, public policy, social work, or a closely related field, and two years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible professional experience in education administration, in such areas as: portfolio planning, educational grants/funding, student enrollment, assessment and accountability, youth development, special education, early childhood, program evaluation, policy research, college and career readiness, health and wellness, immunization, diagnostic and treatment services for parents and children, out of school programs, career and occupational education, curriculum development, evaluation and testing, educational planning, and educational statistics, or a related field, at least 18 months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, consultative, administrative or supervisory capacity in education administration; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of satisfactory, fulltime progressively responsible professional experience, in one or more of the areas as described in “1” above, at least 18 months of which must have been in an executive, managerial, consultative, administrative or supervisory capacity; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and six years of satisfactory, full time professional experience, in one or more of the areas as described in “1” above, at least 18 months of which must have been in an executive, managerial, consultative, administrative or supervisory capacity; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, or “3” above. Undergraduate education above the high school level may be substituted for professional experience, in the areas described in “1” above, at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 4 years. Graduate education in areas other than those mentioned above, may be substituted for the professional experience, at the rate of 15 graduate semester credits from an accredited college or university, for 6 months of experience, up to a maximum of 1 year of professional experience. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma or its educational equivalent and 18 months of experience in an executive, managerial, consultative, administrative or supervisory capacity in education administration as described above.
  
  

 

Preferred 

• Knowledge of NYSED and federal ELL policy and program design.
• 5+ years of education related experience, preferably with the NYCPS or other educational institutions. 
• Advanced degree in Public Administration and/or Education, with a focus on policy analytics and implementation. 
• Experience managing prioritized long and short-term academic policy projects and initiatives, including new policy and resource development. 
• 5+ years of management experience, including project management in the public sector. 
• Experience in developing thoughtful and creative approaches for addressing a wide range of policy questions and policy implementation challenges. 
• Managerial experience in process design and project management associated with the operations and coordination of a large, multifaceted service organization. 
• Excellent written and spoken communication and presentation skills, including synthesizing large quantities of information into succinct summaries. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with education and non-education personnel, internal and external to NYCPS. 
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and anticipate issues needing resolution. 
• Strong attention to detail, extremely well organized, and able to meet frequent and changing deadlines. 
• Ability to thrive in and enjoy working in a team-oriented, high-pressure environment. 
• Experience or working knowledge of the public sector and/or interest in public education. 
• Strategic thinking, stakeholder management, business case development, and technology skills; ability to build strong working relationships with diverse constituencies. 
• Ability to organize facts and present information and figures in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications.  
• Ability to develop thoughtful and creative approaches for addressing a wide range of analytical questions and provide constructive feedback to others on their research and analytical work. 
• Ability to develop concise and powerful research summaries and presentations. 
  
  

Salary: $99,066 - $140,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *
  
  

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy

The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.