Director of Expanded Learning and Community Schools
Description
ABOUT US
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college-preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998 to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that persist in our communities, Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers, and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Director of Expanded Learning and Community Schools has regional responsibilities, primarily focused on overseeing and supporting Aspire Bay Area. This role is essential in ensuring compliance and reporting, as well as providing implementation support in key areas such as coaching, professional development, orientation, check-ins, and external partnerships. This role works cross-functionally with regional leaders and site staff to ensure a high-quality program aligned with Aspire’s Bay Area priorities and equity commitments. This role will also oversee and host regular Communities of Practice for Expanded Learning Site Directors and the region's Dean of Community Schools. This role will also oversee and host regular Communities of Practice for all schools in the region that hold community school grants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
PROGRAMMING
- Make programmatic decisions based on regional needs that align with and integrate with Aspire-wide and regional goals, priorities, and guardrails
- Adapt the ExL handbook to meet the local context
- Cultivate and maintain external community partnerships to enhance academic and enrichment offerings
- Collaborate with regional content experts to develop and deliver training that is aligned with Aspire instructional strategies; coordinate training across the region to ensure consistency and equity for all ExL employees
- Lead strategic planning and continuous improvement cycles for the Expanded Learning and Community Schools program, grounded in data and stakeholder input
- Assist with budgeting and financial planning for ExL programs
- Monitor expenditures and ensure programs operate within the allocated budget
Evaluation, Reporting, & Compliance
- Lead the region’s annual Program Quality Audit (PQA) to assess program quality across sites
- Support and help develop systems for progress monitoring, effectiveness of community schools, and expanded learning programming
- Liaise with county and state departments of education to manage relevant grants and ensure regional compliance with grant requirements
- Ensure high-quality implementation of California’s Community Schools Framework and Quality Standards for Expanded Learning
- Ensure the collection and reporting of attendance and other data needed for compliance
- Ensure all programs and activities comply with local, state and federal regulations
- Prepare and submit required reports accurately and on time
Talent Development
- In collaboration with other regional leaders, build out and oversee a professional development strategy for the region’s expanded learning directors, with a specific focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion
- In close partnership with the Director of Student Services and other regional leaders, provide professional development training for the Dean of Community Schools with a specific focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, attendance interventions, and family engagement.
- Support talent development strategy to strengthen the pipeline of ExL teammates into teacher and leadership opportunities
- Provide direct coaching, guidance, support, and leadership to the Expanded Learning Site Director
Leadership and Collaboration
- Demonstrate an adaptive and collaborative approach to leadership, working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Ensure high-quality programming for both adults and students, fostering a positive, productive learning environment
- Provide resources to support attendance interventions and initiatives, including partnering with external organizations to minimize barriers to attendance.
Additional
- Be an unwavering champion and positive force for Expanded Learning Programs internally and externally
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
- Actively seeks to improve and simplify Aspire’s approach to particular job functions
- Comfortable with the utilization of technology in a remote environment
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required knowledge, skills & abilities
- Expertise in community schools programming and structure
- Knowledge of community school systems and best practices
- Knowledge of reporting and compliance-related requirements of community school grants
- Ability to coach others and improve their practice
- Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships
- Ability to manage projects, including development, implementation, and evaluation
- Ability to communicate proactively, effectively, and provide and act on feedback
- Strong problem analysis and problem resolution skills using an inquiry framework
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to contribute to a team
- Understands and applies an equity-centered lens in problem-solving
Minimum educational level
- Bachelor’s degree required, with relevant degree and/or content expertise; Master’s degree preferred
Experience required
- 5+ years as a teacher, school counselor (or related field), or school administrator, with demonstrated results in the designated content area
Work authorization requirements
- Physical requirements:
- Moving oneself in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned
- Communicating with others to exchange information
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
EEO STATEMENT
Aspire Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Compensation
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammates' well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, a tuition reimbursement plan, and an adoption assistance program.
Our salary range, based on years of experience for this position type, is: $118,589 - $152,235
Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, people with disabilities, and veterans.