Title: Director of Innovation

State Role Title: Education Administrator III

Hiring Range: Exact commensurate based on experience and qualifications; average $125,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: VDOE James Monroe Building

Agency Website: www.doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

To collaborate with the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, agency leadership, and external stakeholders to lead current and emerging innovative K-12 models and student-centered initiatives, with particular attention to:
• The ongoing design, launch, and implementation of Virginia Laboratory Schools.
o Virginia Laboratory Schools are intended to stimulate innovative programs in preschool through grade 12; provide opportunities for innovation in instruction and assessment; provide teachers with an avenue for delivering innovative instruction and school scheduling, management and structure; encourage performance-based educational programs; establish high standards for both teachers and administrators; encourage greater collaboration between pre-kindergarten and postsecondary program providers; and develop model programs.
o This position will be responsible for the following with regards to lab schools:
 Regular communication lead with prospective applicants, current applicants, and approved lab school awardees, fiscal agents, and key partners;
 Oversee the tracking processes of the application, launch and operation processes for lab schools;
 Manage the preparation of Lab School Standing Committee and Board of Education materials, including the Board of Education’s annual sustainability report due to the General Assembly;
 Understanding of lab school policy, guidance, and laws; and
 Providing technical assistance, efficient communication, and meaningful feedback on compliance matters, and collaboration during the application and implementation process with VDOE staff, school division partners, Old Dominion University’s Center for Education Innovation and Opportunity Lab School Network team, and other associated entities and individuals.
• Provide technical support and thought partnership to school divisions on Seat Time Flexibility guidance and regulations, including personalized and competency-based model design, staffing, and course considerations.
o Lead on Department resources and support systems with Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning on competency-based testing, support structures, and Department-led resources.
o Support middle school and high school principals with technical expertise on model redesign efforts.
• This position will be responsible for the following with regards to public charter schools:
o Manage the preparation of the public Charter School Standing Committee and Board of Education materials;
o Understanding of Virginia charter school policy, guidance, and laws;
o Providing technical support and guidance to local governing boards and school divisions on evaluating and authorizing public charter schools; and
o Providing technical assistance, efficient communication, and meaningful feedback on compliance matters, and collaboration during the application review process with VDOE staff, public charter school applicants, and other associated entities and individuals.
• Collaborate with the Department’s Office of Parent Engagement and Communications Teams on regular updates to website and Department materials regarding new K-12 model options for families and how they can enroll.
• Coordinate with COO to manage the oversight of EISTC scholarship tax programming.
• Design, implement, and coordinate any other innovative initiatives and projects as the Office of Innovation evolves.

To manage and lead a small staff to design, implement, and coordinate innovative initiatives and practices throughout the Commonwealth.

Minimum Qualifications

•Experience in K-12 education as an educator, school or division leader, or state policy leader
• Passionate about and has experience working for or designing innovative and/or competency-based learning models.
•Understands and appreciates the value of public-private partnership in designing innovative models.
•Demonstrates ability to think outside the box and troubleshoot barriers with thoughtful solutions.
•Highly effective communication (both written and oral) and organizational management skills.
•Ability to perform well in balancing diverging, time-sensitive priorities in a rapidly shifting workflow landscape.
•Highly collaborative with both internal staff from varied departments and external stakeholders, including local school divisions, external vendors, and appointed officials.
•Knowledge of College Partnership Laboratory School model and Virginia-specific dimensions of the model.
•Knowledge of and understanding of personalized and competency-based learning models, seat time flexibility, and other successful redesign approaches, models, and support structures.
•Knowledge of public charter schools and Virginia statutes on authorization process.
•Strong attention to detail and demonstrates ability to oversee and monitor multiple projects at once.
•Ability to utilize various software platforms to provide project management updates and information to the Superintendent, Secretary of Education and Governor’s Office.
•Research, analyze, and prepare information and make recommendations to senior leaders and appointed officials.
•Strong management and supervisory skills.

Additional Considerations

• Demonstrated experience in innovative instructional practice and learning models.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

A résumé will be accepted in lieu of a completed state application. Applications submitted via e-mail, postal service, fax or hand-delivered will not be considered. Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check. Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available. Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to prove their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs.cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process. For assistance call: (804) 225-2021, [TTY: 786-8389]

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and the VDOE that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Lexi Tate

Phone: No Phone Calls Please

Email: alexia.tate@doe.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.