Job Abstract

The Danbury Public Schools serves a diverse community of over 12,000 learners across 20 school locations City-wide. With more than 3,000 students, Danbury High School continues to serve one of the largest secondary student populations across the State of Connecticut. The District is currently embarking on a multi-year transitional strategic plan that will transform the delivery of the High School program into a Wall-to-Wall Academy Model that focuses on multiple pathways that incorporate experiential learning opportunities for students in areas of interest, culminating in the opening of an additional satellite location for secondary education. The successful candidate will work to establish collaborative partnerships between the District and local businesses, community agencies and post-secondary institutions in order to develop the experiential learning opportunities that will drive this new Academy Model.

Primary Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will serve as the primary contact person and liaison between local businesses and community based organizations and the District's secondary education leaders. Primary responsibilities will include:

1. Attend quarterly partnership, council, and other community based meetings for the purpose of networking, enhancing partnerships, and working collaboratively to develop and provide experiential learning opportunities for students
2. Promote and support the implementation and documentation of the National Standards of Practice (NSOP) for academy accreditation
3. Serve as the liaison between the school and district office in developing and sustaining academies, including the submission of budgets, purchase orders, and other requested information
4. In partnership with district and school leadership teams, implement the current academy’s strategic plan
5. Support the completion of action plans, lottery process, calendars of events, and budgets for academies as established by academy teams
6. Coordinate and implement advisory boards in accordance with the advisory board bylaws
7. Coordinate with business partners to maintain accurate community investment data for official business and community partner involvement
8. Communicate academy information with district communications office and outside media
9. Coordinate academy related experiential learning experiences, including, but not limited to, field trips, job shadows, student internships, teacher externships, and guest speakers
10. Work with counselors, team leads, and school administration to coordinate recruitment and registration of students
11. Collaborate with school administration and the Advisory Board to review academy programs of study and recommend program modifications related to work force and college and career connectedness
12. Attend scheduled academy meetings as needed
13. Facilitate the organization and implementation of the 9^th Grade Career Fair and academy open houses and school tours
14. Regularly attend academy team meetings to provide support and guidance for academy initiatives
15. Serve as the point person for the academy’s ambassador programs (student and parent)
16. Promote and participate in academy related professional learning communities within the school
17. Collect, analyze and communicate academy data (including academy enrollment, experiential learning, industry certifications, academy related dual credit / dual enrollment, attendance, and graduation rate, among others)
18. Work with district and school administration on student engagement opportunities
19. As directed by the Principal, engage in school leadership initiatives or other tasks assigned such as serving on the master scheduling team or school leadership team, to align with the school’s initiatives and protocols.
20. Attend meetings and make academy related presentations to the Board of Education as needed
21. Continually seek dual enrollment, certification opportunities, and community college programming and university level partnerships
22. Assist with the development and formation of a foundation designed to support the ongoing needs of an academy model

Required Qualifications

1. Demonstrated experience in collaborating with and liaising between educational leaders and local business and community leaders in order to develop meaningful, long range partnerships for experiential learning.
2. Demonstrated evidence of strong organizational skills and larger-scale project management experience.
3. Exceptional communication skills and a desire to promote the Academy Model to local leaders.
4. Established contacts with local business, community agencies, and post-secondary institutions is preferred, demonstrated ability to establish business and community relationships will be considered.
5. Connecticut teaching credential preferred.

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full time, 12 month position. Employment is at-willl, with negotiated compensation based upon demonstrated experience and qualifications, estimated at $100,000 per annum. Eligibility for health and welfare benefits. Other terms and conditions of employment will be extended as for similarly situated at-will employees.

During the initial transitional planning stages, the successful applicant will report directly to the Superintendent of Schools. Upon the launch of the new Academy Model, this reporting structure may be modified to more directly incorporate the Academy's established leadership.