Executive Director, Assessment, Accountability & Performance Rptg

Salary Range: $116,427 – $146,388

*State Salary Guidelines apply for current State employees.

200 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

The Executive Director provides leadership and oversight to intra-divisional and inter-departmental programs to manage and coordinate activities to successfully meet federal, state and Department requirements. This position provides leadership for activities required by the Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA) including the Maryland School Report Cards and star ratings of schools, and identification of schools for comprehensive and targeted school improvement. This position will coordinate activities within the Department and across LEAs that include ensuring that all students are assessed in grades 3-8 and HS in English language arts, mathematics, and science as federally required, and participate in Early Learning Assessments/Kindergarten Readiness Assessments and other Pre-K-2 assessments as required by the state. This position will coordinate and lead collaborations with staff within the division to ensure vendor and partner deliverables are effective and on time, and to ensure consistent implementation of policies and procedures and critical tasks are successfully completed. This position assists with ensuring the timely release of assessment and accountability data and communication material to students, families, educators and the public.

Finally, this position provides leadership for special projects of the division in support of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and MSDE’s Strategic Plan. The Executive Director provides leadership and oversight for the development of communication, presentation, and meeting materials for executive leadership, decision-makers and stakeholder engagement. This position will coordinate and lead ad hoc committees to ensure alignment across the Blueprint and Strategic Plan, including committees and workgroups in support of Maryland’s ESSA Accountability System, College and Career Readiness initiatives, and Performance Reporting and analysis strategies to accelerate outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved.

• Oversees, coordinates, and assists in monitoring performance measures to ensure assessment, accountability and performance reporting programs are implemented in a service level based, customer-oriented approach and fulfill the MSDE Strategic Plan and Blueprint requirements.
• Provides coordination and support across DAAPR offices in project management to ensure effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of programs and initiatives.
• Directs and coordinates with DAAPR staff and office teams to resolve issues and make recommendations to leadership regarding program operations and potential areas of refinement and improvement and to successfully implement programs and priorities in alignment with the Department’s strategic plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
• Represents the Assistant State Superintendent and MSDE as necessary on assigned committees, workgroups, and other meetings in support of DAAPR programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Analyzes data, provide literature reviews, and research best practices to inform implementation of effective DAAPR programs and initiatives.
• Oversees and monitors the effective delivery of the regular, statewide technical assistance sessions to support local education agency capacity building and program implementation.
• Coordinates and oversees the development and communication of presentations, memos, agendas for executive leadership, and the State Board of Education.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience working with large scale assessment, school performance, accountability, and program analysis and reporting initiatives; and/or high-leverage and large scale education programs in school district, nonprofit, governmental entity, and/or university settings. Experience must include successfully supervising, evaluating, and/or coaching professional staff.

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in History, Social Studies, Social Sciences, or related area for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.
2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education, one year of which must have been in an administrative supervisory or consultative capacity.

• Highly effective organizational leadership skills in order to align work processes.
• Knowledge of education content standards, assessment standards, effective instructional practices and assessment administration or development.
• Knowledge and experience with data and statistical analysis and K-12 accountability systems.
• Knowledge of best-in-class K-12 college and career readiness trends, regulations, policies, and issues.
• Skills collaborating with diverse communities and organizations for the purpose of analyzing programs and strategies.
• Skills in effective formative and summative assessment design, and management of large-scale assessment and evaluation contracts and projects.
• Skill and experience in data analysis and in delivering, designing, and evaluating effective performance reporting, data visualizations and communication material.
• Skills in managing competing priorities and executing on time sensitive deadlines.
• Skills in critical thinking and the ability to analyze problems and devise effective solutions.
• Ability to interpret and apply learning standards, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to cultivate and manage effective working relationships across various offices/divisions, governmental entities, and community-based stakeholders to successfully implement programs and initiatives.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and to work as a team leader.
• Excellent organization, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve.

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.