Director Of Professional Development

Position open until filled. July 1, 2023, start date. First review of applications to begin in June.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Professional Development facilitates the planning, implementation and monitoring of professional learning opportunities for teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and selected district staff. In addition to understanding effective, research-based professional development standards and delivery models, the Director of Professional Development will demonstrate knowledge of the skills necessary to meet the needs of diverse learners. The goal of this position is to make significant contributions to improving student achievement by designing, delivering and promoting high quality professional learning and communicating the district’s high expectations for each student, teacher, instructional coach and administrator.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Professional Development will be responsible for accomplishing the following:

• Ensures that professional development aligns to AZ Professional Teaching Standards.
• Keeps abreast of innovative professional development techniques to provide the district with the highest quality of professional development activities.
• Assists schools with needs assessment and development of their Professional Development plans.
• Organizes, maintains, and supports professional learning communities.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Participates in the development of the district school calendar to ensure adequate professional learning time.
• Communicates the goals, plans and progress of the district professional learning program.
• Collaborates on the design and implementation of a comprehensive Professional Development Plan for all staff.
• Collaborates to ensure the appropriate recording and reporting of professional development hours and participation.
• Supports and supervises district instructional coaches and specialists.
• Analyzes and uses data to identify professional development needs and to evaluate, improve and report on program effectiveness.
• Manages and oversees district level instructional coaches with planning and delivering Professional Development.
• Establishes strong working relationships with school and district staff.
• Develops, coordinates and oversees district-wide professional learning programs in alignment with district goals and initiatives.
• Communicates available professional learning activities to school and district staff.
• Coordinates district-wide events for educational and cultural learning opportunities for students, community, and employees.
• Implements professional learning opportunities through multiple delivery models including formal structured workshops and digital platforms.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
• This is a twelve (12) month position that requires some evening and weekend sessions.
• Knowledge of current trends in curriculum, teaching methods and strategies; best practices in school improvement, instructional coaching; leadership development; adult learning theory and professional development; planning and project management; and collaboration, coordination and facilitation of work groups.
• Ability to travel to multiple site locations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic, time-sensitive work environment.
• Ability to read and interpret journals, articles, and research studies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences orally and in writing, including electronic media.
• Knowledge of group dynamics.
• Knowledge of staff development as it applies to both teaching and learning, and leading professional learning communities.
• Ability to analyze data and skills to format data into effective programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Superior interpersonal, oral communication and written skills.
• Three or more years of teaching experience.
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution required. Degree in education, supervision/administration, or related field.
• Requires accessibility and flexibility to attend meetings, activities, and events outside during the evenings or weekends.
• Training and/or 3-5 years of experience in staff development, leadership development, instructional design, and school improvement.
• Excellent organizational, and facilitation skills.
• Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and nondiscrimination policies; follows federal laws, state laws, school boards policies and the professional standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; type/keyboard; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Employee must on occasion lift/move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.