Associate Director of Charter Schools

Title: Associate Director of Charter Schools

Division: Provost's Office

Department: Outreach & Engagement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $68,000 – 70,000/annually

EEO Job Group: 2 E2

Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications for Associate Director of Charter Schools.

The position is responsible and accountable for administering, coordinating, and organizing all internal and external functions of the University of Southern Indiana Charter Schools Office (USICSO). The position assures schools’ initial and recurring authorizations as well as compliance with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing.

Duties/Responsibilities 

• Provide leadership and vision in the development of a five-year strategic plan, consistent with the University’s plan, which details the vision, mission, goals, and objectives that will guide the Charter Schools’ Office in fulfilling its duties.
  
  
• Establish, maintain, and manage a well-coordinated and efficiently run unit.
  
  
• Manage the budget and general operations of the Charter School Office (CSO).
  
  
• Make recommendations about policies, procedures, and significant decisions that apply to university charter schools.
  
  
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and approval process of charter applicants which includes providing information to prospective charter school organizers, directing the proposal reviews based on clear and detailed criteria, updating proposal materials, procedures and guidelines, recommending proposals to the Charter School Review Committee for approval, notifying applicants of proposal approval, and monitoring approved proposals through charter school openings.
  
  
• Direct the publishing of annual performance reports for each school, CSO annual report, and any other reports as required.
  
  
• With key stakeholders develop, implement, and maintain a meaningful accountability plan that establishes key measures of educational performance, school operations, governance, and financial accounting for all authorized charter schools; hold schools accountable for excellent educational, organizational, governance, and financial performance.
  
  
• Oversee the refinement and management of a charter school renewal process that enables consistent and informed decisions regarding renewal or non-renewal.
  
  
• Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive intervention and school closure policies and procedures.
  
  
• Develop and maintain accurate CSO website.
  
  
• Ensure materials, policy and procedural manuals are accurate, relevant and available in a timely manner to the public in an easily accessible format.
  
  
• Work with professional organizations and public officials and governmental entities at the local, state, and federal level with regards to providing accurate information and analysis on state policy and proposed legislation related to charter schools.
  
  
• Actively seek up-to-date information on changing/evolving state legislation and regulations, NACSA principles and standards, and best practices for charter school authorizers.
  
  
• Monitor CSO for practices that demonstrate adherence to NACSA principles and standards; facilitate adjustments to processes and procedures that do not meet standards to bring them into compliance.
  
  
• Keep relevant university contacts apprised of those changes while facilitating any applicable university policy, procedure changes, or revisions.
  
  
• Participate in NACSA committees and/or governing bodies.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Master’s degree or higher in educational leadership, educational curriculum and instruction, educational statistics, educational testing, educational psychology, or a related field.
  
  
• Experienced with and an understanding of diverse populations and management supervisory experience. Knowledgeable about charter schools and related policy, skilled in analyzing, evaluating and disaggregating student and school data; excellent communication skills; superior conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and persuasion skills; ability to work effectively with others and with limited supervision.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of Indiana laws and regulations concerning charter schools and institutions holding charters.
  
  
• Ability to manage budgets effectively.
  
  
• Demonstrated success with group presentations.
  
  
• Strong and effective written communication skills suitable to letters, memos, reports, and promotional materials.
  
  
• Strong oral communication skills, including telephone, face-to-face, and virtually.
  
  
• Ability to persuade and motivate others in both oral and written applications.
  
  
• Excellent listening, interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Must be able to interact effectively with the public and school personnel at all organizational levels, as well as with university administration, faculty, and staff. Must also be able to interact effectively with children of all ages, parents, teachers, and school administrators.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and plan effectively and efficiently.
  
  
• Able learner with environmental scanning capability.
  
  
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office products or similar word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and email software required.
  
  
• Proven ability to work independently and solve complex problems.
  
  
• Ability to travel frequently in the tri-state area and occasional overnight travel in- and out-of-state required. Valid driver’s license or alternate means of facilitating travel to access venues.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• 3-5 years of experience working with charter schools.
  
  
• Knowledgeable about charter school legislation and regulations.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of NACSA Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizers.
  
  
• Awareness of regional educational environment at the K-12 and college levels.
  
  
• Experience using web content management systems.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

• Standard office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Occasional irregular or additional hours may be required to meet deadlines and administrative responsibilities.
• Frequent local travel; occasional overnight trip.

About USI    

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Application Process

Click “Apply Now!” near the top right of this page to complete an application and upload application materials to the attention of the Search Committee Chair. Application materials should include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Jaclyn Dumond, search committee chair, at jddumond@usi.edu. 

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials before January 8, 2025.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the manager of Employment at mcweinzapf@usi.edu or (812) 464-1840. Contacting the manager of Employment is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

The University of Southern Indiana is an EEO/AA employer. All individuals including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.