Jobs at Trillium

Current Openings:

Executive Director (see below or click through for printable version)

Executive Director

Job Description:

Trillium Charter School (TCS) is in its 10th year of operation. TCS serves students from all parts of Portland, Oregon, through an open lottery enrollment. Students are actively involved learners building a personal knowledge of the world around them through action, experience, and reflection. The educational philosophies center on contextual teaching/learning and constructivism, which utilize problem-based learning, collaborative/cooperative learning, project-based learning, service learning, and work-based learning.  Students engage as active participants rather than passive recipients of information, developing their own meaning and constructing their own knowledge in the process. Please visit www.trilliumcharterschool.org to read more about our school.

Job Summary:  The Executive Director (ED) is the executive, educational and instructional leader of TCS.  The ED administers the day-to-day activities of the school in accordance with the mission, vision, plans and policies established by the TCS Board.

Reports to:  TCS Board of Directors.

Responsibilities: The ED is responsible for the leadership, strategic vision and growth of TCS.  The position supports the educational director; oversees implementation of curriculum; establishes and maintains all school programs and policies in accordance with the direction of the board; manages financial and human resources; works with fiscal staff and board committees to set and implement budgets for Board approval; ensures adequate record keeping and reporting; supervises management of operations and facilities; and builds neighborhood partnerships and a strong community network.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited, four-year college or university; an advanced degree is preferred (e.g. MBA, MPA, JD, M.Ed).  Relevant education may substitute for experience and relevant experience may substitute for education if it can be demonstrated to provide equivalent functioning levels.

 

Experience

Five years of experience as a lead administrator, including oversight responsibilities for each of the following areas: strategic development; operational planning, management and evaluation; program development and implementation; communications; contract development and administration; budget management and accounting; and personnel management.

Other Desired Qualifications:

Experience

  • Previous work experience leading and directing in a non-profit environment, especially in a charter school or other educational setting.
  • Strategic planning, assessment and reporting.
  • Resource development through fundraising and business partnerships.
  • Instructional leadership and curriculum development.

Demonstrated ability to:

  • Develop and maintain organizational cohesiveness and stability.
  • Understand and communicate the principles and concepts of organizational success.
  • Read and report to the board on organizations’ financial statements and budget.
  • Successfully lead work groups and facilitate group decision-making.
  • Effectively develop, implement and assess an annual improvement plan.
  • Work competently with a Board of Directors.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, faculty, district and state personnel, media and the broader Portland community.
  • Learn and utilize a full array of software tools.
  • Build productive relationships and partnerships with the community surrounding TCS.
  • Find creative solutions to challenges that arise.

Knowledge of:

  • Public/charter school administration.
  • Budgeting, fiscal analysis and administrative reporting.
  • Accounting principles, practices, regulations and payroll management.
  • Employment law and laws governing charter schools.
  • Database management and reporting functions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Board

  • Provide input and make recommendations to the Board related to the establishment of organizational direction, goals, policies, and guidelines for operations; after approval, direct implementation of same.
  • Oversee preparation of monthly financial reports to Board and financial committees.
  • Attend monthly Board meetings and report on school operation, informing Board of any legal, financial or political issues likely to impact TCS.
  • Provide institutional data and analysis to the Board as required.
  • Prepare an annual report and school improvement plan for the Board in accordance with TCS’s charter contract.

Administrative

  • Exercise decision-making authority for the policies and daily operation of the school.
  • Ensure that policies and procedures are in place that allow for smooth and efficient  school operations and a professional,  efficient front office.
  • Support and manage the administrative team’s activities and development.
  • Coordinate timely tracking and reporting of all revenues received and expenditures made by the school, including state funding, federal grants, private funding, and contributions.
  • Ensure that school records are current, organized and, as required, confidential.
  • Direct the reporting of financial and student data to Portland Public Schools and the Oregon Department of Education.
  • Oversee maintenance the TCS calendar and expediently communicate changes to community.
  • Oversee and monitor progress of TCS’s external agreements, including contracts, lease agreements, permits, grants, community partnerships, etc.
  • Manage the process of charter review and revision.

Financial/Fundraising

  • Conduct the financial activities of the school so as to comply with generally accepted accounting principles and all applicable reporting requirements.  Financial management should provide for efficient daily fiscal operations, straightforward monthly financial reporting, timely fund and budget oversight, and streamlined annual financial and compliance audits. Working knowledge of QuiickBooks strongly preferred.
  • Oversee development of the TCS annual budget and present it to the Board as required.  Administer and direct its implementation and adjustment throughout the year.
  • Approve all expenditures, including payroll, in accordance with Board policy and within Board-approved appropriation limits.
  • Supervise annual audit and annual report.
  • Develop diverse funding sources (i.e. local, state, federal, corporate and private philanthropic support) that ensure long-term and sustainable operation of TCS.

Legal

  • Cultivate knowledge of government requirements for charter school operations.
  • Establish, update and monitor policies and procedures in alignment with applicable laws.
  • Maintain and track TCS’s insurance coverage to verify legal compliance and operational integrity.

Personnel and Programs

  • Inspire a culture of excellence centered around TCS’s Mission and Vision.
  • Oversee hiring, supervision, professional development, evaluation and dismissal of all personnel.
  • Develop and maintain personnel policies, procedures and job descriptions to ensure compliance with employment laws and enable TCS to attract and retain qualified employees.
  • Ensure that all teachers are certified, highly qualified and have individual professional development plans on file that are aligned with TCS’s charter contract, policy handbook and annual improvement plan.
  • Ensure that regular staff meeting are conducted, support process for resolution of interpersonal conflicts.
  • Serve as liaison between the Board and staff and Portland Public Schools.
  • Facilitate evaluations of teachers and administrative staff.
  • Collaborate with Educational director to ensure that TCS’s educational program has clearly defined goals and monitor programmatic success as part of the annual report assessment process.
  • Ensure that the needs of special education students are met and special education programs conform to all legal requirements.
  • Support Educational Director with student discipline and ensure equitable administration of policies, meeting with students, faculty and parents as necessary.

Community, Volunteers and Community Relations

  • Promote a sense of community among all TCS stakeholders.
  • Develop and maintain a variety of community-based connections that contribute to planning and implementing mission-driven programs.
  • Maintain effective communication with all members of the TCS community.
  • Cultivate volunteer leadership.
  • Represent and advocate for TCS in local and state government and develop connections within the Oregon charter school community.
  • Maintain open-door access for parents.

Facilities, Safety and Emergency Planning

  • Assure safety and cleanliness of TCS facilities, including development of appropriate procedures and rules.  Make timely decisions regarding the maintenance, safety or improvement of school facilities and equipment.
  • In partnership with staff and faculty, coordinate emergency safety planning and ensure plan implementation.
  • Monitor property, casualty and workers’ compensation loss experience to ensure that appropriate risk management and loss control strategies are employed.
  • Ensure adequate facilities supervision during school hours.

Start date: April 1, 2012

Recruitment: closes March 1, 2012

Salary: $58,000-$60,000

To apply:

Please NO phone calls. Submit a complete application via mail to:

TCS Executive Director Hiring Committee
5420 N. Interstate
Portland OR, 97217

or via email in PDF format to: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Please include the following:

1. Letter of interest detailing administrative expertise, managerial philosophy, educational experience and skills working in a nonprofit or charter school environment.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of recommendation attesting to your personal and professional qualities.
4. Answers to supplemental questions below.

Application materials will be treated confidentially.

Finalists will be invited to interviews with the hiring committee.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Why Trillium?
2. What is your educational philosophy?
3. How do you build relationships with stakeholders in your organization?
4. Give an example of a time when you have experienced an organization or school in transition or change as a school leader.  What was your role? What strategies did you utilize to navigate the situation?  Please extrapolate on what you did well and what you would do differently.

 

Non Discrimination Policy

Trillium affirms that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefit of be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity.