Job Location: This position is remote with required travel within the Kansas City, MO area where charter schools are located, and is required on a regular basis to participate in school evaluation visits and to represent the Commission at local meetings and events. Additional statewide and national travel on a limited basis is also required.
Why you’ll love this position: The Program Specialist is responsible for supporting the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of charter school performance. This position supports the Deputy Director for Accountability in managing the requirements of the charter school performance framework and is responsible for conducting ongoing data analysis of MCPSC sponsored charter schools.
What you’ll do: - Reviews academic, financial, and operational data and information provided by sponsored schools to ensure they are in compliance with federal and state laws, charter school regulations, Commission policies, and performance contracts; refers non-compliance issues to the Deputy Director for Accountability.
- Review and analyze charter school applications for new and renewal charter schools for compliance with state and Commission standards.
- Collect, analyze, present, and disseminate accurate and easily consumed data on school enrollments, student characteristics, and academic outcomes for use by Commission and sponsored schools to support public reporting, school monitoring and renewal recommendations.
- Assist in the production of evaluation reports, working directly with Commission staff and consultants to synthesize data and create reports according to set deadlines; edit any such reports to ensure that conclusions and evidence clearly articulate and are consistent with the standards and policies of the Commission and Missouri charter school statutes.
- Produce ad hoc data reports on school performance as required.
- Assist in coordination of external evaluation of sponsored schools in accordance with Commission policies.
- Participate in observations, interviews, site visits and/or focus groups, and document reviews.
- Assist in the preparation of evaluation checklists and letters to sponsored schools detailing areas of non-compliance related to annual evaluation.
- Assist senior staff with the development and execution of the Commission’s research agenda, which may include preparing information or data for such purposes.
- Responds to inquiries and provides technical assistance to charter schools relating to compliance data system, performance framework requirements, annual reports, and school-specific requirements.
- Interprets and explains applicable federal and state legislation, rules, regulations, and procedures to school staff, management, boards, and others.
- Understand the principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, fiscal administration, purchasing, program planning, policy formulation, and general administrative systems.
- Manage numerous projects of varying priorities.
- Work remotely and exercise independence in performing assigned responsibilities and maintain effective working relationships with Commission staff, sponsored schools’ staff, and other stakeholders.
- Represents and/or serves as the Commission’s liaison; maintains contact, cooperates with, and addresses state, local, and community organizations, and other interested groups pertaining to charter schools and the Commission.
- Participate in conferences, training sessions, and meetings relating to areas of assigned responsibility.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
Minimum Qualifications: - A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a major in public policy, education, business, research, or any relevant field.
OR - Minimum of four or more years’ experience in public administration, education, business research or other related field that contributes directly to the understanding and effective implementation of activities associated with this assignment.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant. The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .
