Assistant Superintendent - Chief Operations Officer

Primary Function

The Assistant Superintendent - Chief Operations Officer provides strategic direction and operational oversight for key areas including facilities planning, maintenance, construction, custodial, real estate/property management, enrollment forecasting and capacity planning, capital projects, nutrition services, security, risk management, technology, transportation and fleet management, and key system-wide culture stewardship. Directly supports the superintendent in the effective execution of significant strategic and operational initiatives aligned with the district’s vision with a focus on and commitment to excellence in service delivery, safety, and continuous improvement. The Assistant Superintendent - Chief Operations Officer reports to the superintendent and works collaboratively as a member of the superintendent’s executive team.

Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership for the respective functions described above to include the direct supervision of the functional head as well as overall planning, organizing, directing, budgeting, and staffing of each function.
2. Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the district’s vision and strategic planning focusing on enhancing efficiency, effectiveness and service delivery across all operational areas.
3. Collaborate with the superintendent and executive leadership to implement a strategic plan and lead the cultural change necessary to achieve district goals.
4. Develop, implement, and monitor annual operating budgets in alignment with the district’s strategic goals. Provide guidance and support to departments in budget preparation and expenditure control.
5. Establish and maintain standards of excellence for operational services, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and district policies.
6. Provide the superintendent and the board with information and data to support recommendations and decisions including matters related to real property transactions, long-range planning, bond activities, and the protection and conservation of district assets.
7. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including district leadership, staff, community members, and vendors to solicit input, address concerns, and foster partnerships that support operational objectives.
8. Optimize resource allocation by identifying cost-saving opportunities and efficient utilization of funds.
9. Mitigate risks by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures. Help oversee the development, maintenance, and management of district policies and procedures.
10. Communicate with other administrators, district support staff and contractors to coordinate activities, and programs, resolve issues and exchange information to assure effective services for the district.
11. Negotiate contracts with vendors such as auditors, bonding agents, financial institutions, legal institutions, maintenance, operations, and insurance companies.
12. Act as the board’s agent for signing authorized district contracts and agreements.

Knowledge of

1. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to functional areas.
2. Long-range facilities planning.
3. School safety systems and emergency operations.
4. Principles and practices of leadership and supervision.
5. Collective bargaining agreements and contracts.
6. School district organization, operations, and policy governance.
7. Public contracting and purchasing.
8. Facilities planning and construction. 

Ability to

1. Interact successfully with a wide range of constituents including representatives from business, governmental agencies and university partners.
2. Interacts positively with community partners in order to advance their partnership in support of student outcomes.
3. Find creative solutions to operational challenges on behalf of student achievement.
4. Implement hiring practices that are culturally responsive and reduce barriers for applicants that advance the goals of the district to increase diversity of our workforce.
5. Provide leadership to operational departments that promotes employee morale and retention and provides creative ways to promote a positive culture within the workforce.
6. Interact with others using tact, patience, and courtesy.
7. Successfully negotiate agreements on behalf of the district.
8. Participate and provide leadership in the development of policies, procedures, and fiscal decisions.
9. Interpret and apply provisions of state statute and various regulatory agencies.
10. Gather and analyze data and make appropriate operational recommendations to the Board and Superintendent.
11. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
12. Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
13. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders.
14. Meet schedules and timelines.
15. Work independently with little direction.
16. Use program and project management techniques to effectively deliver results.
17. Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
18. Make oral presentations. 

Key Relationships

1. Superintendent:  reports to and is supervised by.
2. Executive leadership: serves as a member of the superintendent’s executive team.
3. Supervises the following administrators: Facilities, Nutrition, Operations and Logistics, Safety and Risk Management, Technology, and Transportation Services. 

Education/Training/Experience

1. Master’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Finance, Law or Public Administration preferred.
2. 5-7 years of experience in a significant leadership/administrative role in an educational or municipal environment.  

Work Environment

Typical office conditions and the noise level is usually moderately quiet. Travel to district schools, office, training facility, community agencies and other locations as needed. 

Physical Requirements

Sit for long periods of time; talk and hear in person or by phone; use hands and fingers to word process on computer and basic office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.  May be frequently required to stand and walk, bend and stoop, and to grasp, lift and move records and documents typically weighing less than 20 pounds.  Regularly use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information, and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform high detailed work; work on multiple/concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions for meetings and phone calls; work under deadline pressures; and interact with District staff, administrators, managers, the Board and the public. 

Salary

1. Administrative Salary Schedule
2. 213A  Link to the Salary Schedules