Director Of The Office Of Educational Opportunity

The University of Wisconsin System, a premier system of public higher education, educates approximately 161,000 each year and employs 40,000 faculty and staff statewide. The UW System’s combined enrollment headcount exceeds 165,000, and the System confers more than 37,000 degrees each year. The UW System is comprised of 13 four-year universities with 13 two-year branch campuses affiliated with seven of the four-year institutions. Two of the universities (UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee) are doctoral degree-granting institutions and 11 are master’s degree-granting comprehensive institutions. The UW System is governed by a single Board of Regents comprised of 18 members. The UW System head is the President of the System. Together, these institutions are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The Office of Educational Opportunity connects students, families, professional educators, and community leaders with opportunities to create, operate, and be a part of public charter schools that meet local needs, interests, and demands for 4K-12 education all across Wisconsin. The Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) exists to incubate educational innovations, to improve known best practices, and to increase educational equity.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Government Relations, this position will lead the following activities:

• Serve as a liaison with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside in matters pertaining to charter schools.
• Implement and participate in a program review model for the charter school evaluation and reauthorization.
• Lead the authorizing process including review and approval of charter school applications.
• Represent the UW System in charter school activities.
• Prepare corrective plans for authorized schools which fall into declining performance and close any authorized school as necessary.
• Prepare annual reports on the performance of charter schools regarding academic and other performance standards expressed in contracts.
• Develop policy and practice for charter school application processes that encourages innovation.
• Maintain essential data for the evaluation and review of charter schools.
• Ensure all federal and state laws pertaining to charter schools are followed.
• Develop and maintain quality practices of charter authorizing consistent with those standards expressed by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.
• Facilitate a process to keep charter school leaders and the Board of Regents current with charter school research, policies and issues at local, state and national levels.
• Work with charter school leaders to ensure compliance with the established charter school authorization agreements including review of charter school income and expenses.
• Advance the office’s mission to spark innovation, expand educational equity, and close opportunity gaps.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, applicants must have:

• Demonstrated appreciation, commitment and respect for diverse views, perspectives, and people which models inclusion and respect.
• Experience with educational administration and leadership, preferably with charter schools, or leadership experience in the legal, financial, or community leadership fields.
• A Master’s degree in education or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with educational policy, educational finance, educational data, and/or compliance related to special education.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to lead through divisive and/or adverse situations.
• Understanding of State of Wisconsin school law and specifically charter school law.
• Ability to work cooperatively with school leaders and charter school boards.
• Advanced terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D., Ed.D., or Juris Doctorate).
• Demonstrated grant management skills.
• Demonstrated grant writing skills.
• Experience in developing and implementing policy and practices.

WORK LOCATION
The office location is Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706. Telecommuting or hybrid work option is available. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

SPECIAL NOTES
The UW System is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for final candidate(s) prior to employment. Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the University States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Friday, April 7, 2023. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

The University of Wisconsin System Administration is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, and person with disabilities.

Questions may be addressed to: Lori Fuller, Senior Human Resources Manager; UW System Human Resources; at [email protected] or at (608) 263-0847.