Chief Operations Officer

Position Title Chief Operations Officer

Working Title Chief Operations Officer

School/Department Pender County Schools

Location Central Office

Pay Grade Based on experience and credentials

FLSA Status Exempt

Reports To Superintendent

Work Week Schedule Monday - Friday

Work Hours 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; some evenings

Months/Yr 12

Position Purpose

This position oversees and implements continual improvement processes in the areas of Maintenance, Transportation, and Operational Services including construction management, project deployment, facilities, maintenance, transportation, and Child Nutritional Services within the broader scope of Pender County Schools’ various departments within the Superintendent Leadership Team.

Position Analysis

All PCS Department Chiefs will use the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) cycle as a model for defining most of their work processes, from the boardroom to the classroom. PDSA is the basic structure for the district’s overall strategic planning, needs–-analysis, curriculum design and delivery, staff goal-setting and evaluation, provision of student services and support services, and classroom instruction.

All PCS Department Chiefs will actively participate in the application and continued improvement of the PDSA process. At no point will administrators act as lone agents in the development, implementation, or distribution of information, resources, or actions. The organization of all improvement processes will include the following: Explanation of the potential “action” to the leadership team, supportive “analysis” for the “action,” identification & quantification of review team input, identification of a marketing plan, and identification of required resources. The performance of this job will be evaluated per provisions of the Board and local policy on the evaluation of personnel.

Minimum Qualification Standards

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge and strong understanding of construction, facilities and grounds maintenance, school transportation, and child nutrition is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of bidding, budgeting, and financial management practices
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of school system operations and procedures
• Ability to exercise judgment independently in selecting and implementing procedures to streamline efficiency and analyzing data for decision making
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with district staff, board members, and community stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a deadline-driven, rapidly changing team environment

Education, Training, and Experience

• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Extensive experience in facility maintenance, construction, and management
• Other combinations of applicable education, school/school system leadership experience, training, and other experiences that provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered

Certification and License Requirements

• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements
• Master's degree in education preferred within the related content area with licensure listed above.
• Relevant Certifications for the position
• School/District Leadership Preferred 

Special Requirements

Valid North Carolina Drivers License

 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Attends all of the Superintendent’s leadership team meetings.
• Acts as a liaison with the Board and other agencies and organizations on matters related to facilities, construction management, transportation, and maintenance matters.
• Oversees, manages and directs operations related to maintenance/custodial, transportation, building and grounds, technology infrastructure, child nutrition, safety and security, planning, and site development.
• Works with the PCS Superintendent to plan the utilization of all school facilities and grounds; coordinates the planning of new construction and renovation projects; and serves as the school system’s liaison between architects, engineers, and local and state regulatory agencies.
• Attends board meetings and prepares reports for the Board of Education as requested by the Superintendent.
• Attends local government meetings as needed and when BoCC /information is being requested or topics/decisions are being made that directly impact PCS within the areas this position oversees.
• Prepares bid documents as required on all projects that are routed through the public bid process.
• Reads, interprets, and critiques civil, architectural, and engineering building designs.
• Estimates labor, materials, and equipment needed for a variety of capital improvement projects.
• Develops and monitors budgets for departments in this division and works with the Superintendent to develop the system budget.
• Maintains and Updates a Capital Improvement Plan to guide expenditures and future planning
• Assists others internally and externally with decisions related to capital improvement projects.
• Reviews, and approves for payment, bills submitted by building contractors, testing laboratories, consulting engineers, and surveying firms.
• Secures building permits as needed.
• Monitors progress of contractors and inspects all work for proper workmanship consistent with contract documents.
• Works with the Superintendent and Chief Officer of Student Support to assess weather-related road and facility conditions for school closings and delays.
• Administers provisions of State Board of Education and Pender County School policies and procedures as they apply to maintenance and operations.
• Actively seeks out capital improvement and transportation related grants for the district
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Superintendent. 

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee is regularly required to work indoors and outdoors. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to drive to a variety of school sites. 

Work Environment 

• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle
• Must be able to use a variety of office equipment such as computers and copiers
• Must be able to operate/use a variety of job-specific equipment/machines, and audiovisual/electronic devices
• Must be able to work in office and public school environments and come into direct contact with staff, elected boards, and appointed officials
• Travel is required to schools and Central Services offices

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.

Version Date(s) June 4, 2024