NOTICE OF VACANCY

June 24, 2024

POSITION: CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER (CAO)

LOCATION: Administration

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, the CAO provides strategic, data informed, forward thinking, and relationship centered leadership for programs and services in Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) with the purpose of meeting the learning, social-emotional, and developmental needs of students in fulfillment of the district’s mission and vision. The CAO will provide strategic leadership and accountability for the Departments of Instruction, Special Education, Equity, Student Services, and Information Technology. The CAO serves as a liaison to the Board of Education, community groups, parents, departments, and schools. The CAO collaborates with the district leadership to research, communicate, and implement short-term and long-term educational planning. The CAO serves as the principal supervisor to designated building principals.

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

At the time of application, the candidate must hold or be eligible for: 

1. Master’s degree and hold an endorsement for Superintendent I under the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) licensure.
2. Doctorate degree preferred.
3. Five (5) years of successful teaching experience preferred.
4. Five (5) years of successful experience as a public-school principal preferred.
5. Three (3) years of successful central office and supervisory experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS: (These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities, and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions.) At the time of application, the candidate must have:

1. Understanding of and ability to maintain rapport with persons from diverse, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups.
2. Demonstrated ability to utilize and promote equitable practices in all facets of education.
3. Understanding of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.
4. Knowledge of instructional programs and teaching methodologies (PreK-12).
5. Experience with the evaluation of administrative staff.
6. Experience with the development and implementation of strategic plans, local plans, and school improvement plans.
7. Experience in working to close the achievement gap among all demographic groups with emphasis on minority and economic diversity.
8. Experience with analysis of achievement data for intervention and instructional modification.
9. Demonstrated ability to motivate, encourage, and work with staff to ensure outstanding performance as well as good morale.
10. Understanding of administrative policies and procedures and negotiated agreements for Calvert County Public Schools.
11. Demonstrated physical vigor necessary to work diligently on the successful completion of school assignments.
12. Respond effectively under stressful circumstances.
13. Possess a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance.
14. Demonstrated success in accomplishing tasks akin to those responsibilities listed below.
15. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Calvert County Public Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supervision of principals.
2. Provides strategic leadership and accountability for the Departments of Instruction, Special Education, Equity, Student Services, and Information Technology.
3. Provides leadership for and oversees the day-to-day activities of the respective departments mentioned above, to include direct supervision of each Director as well as overall planning, organizing, directing, budgeting, and staffing for each department.
4. Works with leaders of all departments integrating and coordinating individual efforts into a unified effort to achieve the mission, goals, and annual objectives of the school system.
5. Collaborates on the oversight of the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future regarding Pillars 1, 3 and 4.
6. Collaborates on the planning of system leadership meetings, professional learning, and conferences.
7. Coordinates and directs the work of staff who develop school system-wide programs and curricula to meet the varying needs of the school system.
8. Provides continuous evaluation and assessment of the school system’s programs to measure their effectiveness.
9. Provides leadership to ensure understanding and promotion of the educational objectives of the school system as well as communicates the adopted curriculum to professional staff and maintains a list of approved instructional materials.
10. Oversees the initiatives and programs designed to eliminate the achievement gap among all sub-groups with emphasis on minority and economic diversity.
11. Oversees implementation and revisions of the ESSA Consolidated Plan, Title Grants, and School Improvement Plan.
12. Guides the implementation of the Calvert County Strategic Plan.
13. Provides guidance to, and works cooperatively with, staff members in the planning, administration, and evaluation of professional development activities.
14. Provides leadership and guidance for activities related to the acquisition of grants and the implementation of programs related to such grants.
15. Supervises and evaluates the performance of all directors, principals and others, as directed by the Superintendent by setting performance goals annually to ensure a high level of competency.
16. Participates in the preparation of the operating budget pertaining to curriculum, instruction, and grants.
17. Works with the Director of System and Instructional Performance to facilitate successful implementation of curriculum and instructional practices and to provide system-wide coordinated professional development activities for all teachers and support staff.
18. Understands and implements state and federal laws, regulations, and local policies and procedures pertaining to curriculum and instruction, student services, special education and technology.
19. Attends Board of Education meetings, keeping the Board informed of school system matters.
20. Directs the development of policy and related regulations and recommends adoption of policy to the Board of Education.
21. Serves as liaison to the public and advisor for the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education on curricular and administrative issues.
22. In the absence of the Superintendent, represents the school system at various civic and professional organizations and meetings, serves as the Superintendent’s designee.
23. Develops annual operational goals and objectives for school system administrative needs from a county-wide perspective.
24. Collaborates on the allocation of personnel and resources for all schools, including instructional staff.
25. Represents the school system at meetings of such organizations and groups outside the school system.
26. Facilitates articulation with other offices of the school system to improve the operational and instructional progress in the schools.
27. Provides leadership for developing and facilitating school system budget work sessions.
28. Remains current in terms of educational literature, research, and practices.
29. Demonstrates and models effective and efficient use of technology.
30. Reviews, develops policies, procedures, and guidelines for assigned departments.
31. Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s executive leadership team and cabinet.
32. Serves as liaison to the public and advisor for the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education on student and administrative issues.
33. Performs other tasks and responsibilities as the Superintendent of Schools may assign.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Position requires significant periods of standing and walking and is performed in a typical school environment. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Twelve (12) month position and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience applied to the salary schedule for administrators and supervisors. All employees are encouraged to have automatic payroll deposit. 

Salary will be determined.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE OF POSITION: July 1, 2024

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Position will remain open until filled.

Option 1: Current Calvert County Public Schools employees need to submit interest via Applicant Tracking.

Option 2: Interested candidates who are not currently employed by Calvert County Public Schools, including current substitutes, must submit a completed application through Applicant Tracking, including a minimum of three references with their e-mail addresses via our website www.calvertnet.k12.md.us. References must be directly related to work experience and must include current immediate supervisor.

Prior to the filling of any vacancy, permanent employees who have requested a transfer in a timely manner shall be afforded an opportunity to meet with the supervisor of the position for which the vacancy exists.

State law requires that anyone hired after October 1, 1986, who will have contact with school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation. Federal law requires that a new employee must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) in person before beginning employment. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a drug screen. Current employees of the Calvert County Public Schools are exempt from these requirements.

House Bill 486 – Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Statement

Pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland - House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention all applicants are required to report all former employers in which you may have had direct contact with minors. The applicant must submit the contact information of the current employer, all former school employers, and all former employers not school related. Applicants should also include contact information for organizations in which you have volunteered, coached, mentor, tutored or otherwise had direct contact with minors.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources
  443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement

Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment.

Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to:

Ms. Cecelia Lewis

Director of Student Services

Calvert County Public Schools

1305 Dares Beach Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to:

Mr. Zachary Seawell

Director of Human Resources

Calvert County Public Schools

1305 Dares Beach Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.