Project Manager

Holyoke Public Schools

Project Manager

DISTRICT OVERVIEW

The Holyoke Public Schools are committed to ensuring a high-quality education for all. We have invested in recruiting and retaining diverse top-quality educators who inspire bold thinking, recognize student potential, and encourage all students to work towards their goals. In Holyoke, we are committed to becoming an anti-racist district by focusing on:

• 
  Anti-Racism Training for All Staff Members
• Policy Review and Revision
• Facilitating School Visits Through an Equity Lens
• Participation and followup with the Holyoke Race and Equity Team
• Working with the Supt to establish Equity Indicators for Accountability of HPS Employees, Students, and Partners

We know that students do their best when they pursue their passions, so we have designed multiple pathways where all students graduate prepared to excel in college, career, and community leadership. Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,400 students (of which over 80% are Latinx) in 13 schools and employs nearly 1,500 people.The District was placed into receivership by the State of Massachusetts in Spring 2015, because of struggling performance, and has since implemented a Turnaround Plan that has led to expanded choice programs (such as dual language, STEM, and early college) and new opportunities for students to explore the arts, sports, sciences, and local and world cultures. Since 2015, the District has experienced numerous accomplishments for instance:

• 
  doubling access to PreK programming
• 10-point graduation rate increase
• 85 percent increase in access to early college programming
• 13-point increase (to 26%) teachers of color

Position

The Director is responsible for supporting the Chief of Strategy and Turnaround, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent in the management, coordination and oversight of significant initiatives. The position will work collaboratively across departments and schools but reports to the Chief of Strategy and Turnaround.

There will be two primary projects in the first 18 months of this position and the focus may shift to other projects over time.

One focus is supporting the district’s comprehensive PreK-8 redistricting and rezoning process, based on school capacity, student enrollment and student demographics, that will involve many students moving to different schools and possible school closure. The ultimate purpose of this work is to provide the structural foundation for effective and efficient school environments to dramatically and urgently accelerate the achievement of all students, while asserting our values of equity and anti-racism. For more information, visit: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/msredesign/. There are three major phases to this work:

• Phase 1 (April - November 2022): Develop the rezoning plan, with input from a broad array of stakeholders and leveraging technical consultant support
• Phase 2 (November 2022 - June 2023): Plan for a successful fall 2023 launch, at the district and school levels
• Phase 3 (July - September 2023): Execute a successful fall 2023 launch

Another focus is supporting the district’s equity work. The project manager will work closely with the Superintendent and Expert Teacher focused on Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices to reinvigorate equity work that has been completed over the past few years. Important work in the next year includes: completing an equity audit (led by a consultant), re-establishing and regularly convening the equity task force, reviewing artifacts and policies and developing an equity plan. The project manager will establish a project plan and keep the project moving forward.

Responsibilities

Project Management Leadership

• Plan, oversee and document projects, with tight oversight and regular check-ins with supervisor
• Work closely with district and school leaders to ensure the scope and direction of project is on schedule
• Coordinate key personnel in schools, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Family and Community Engagement, Academics, Pupil Services, School Leadership, Communications, Enrollment, and other groups as needed to move critical aspects of projects along
• Manage to strict time schedule and follow-up frequently
• Gather information, analyze and manage sensitive issues and/or conduct research and compile records and reports

Project Management Coordination

• Gather data to support analyses and drive decision-making
• Support Human Resources in the logistical elements of redistribution of employees, including sending correspondence, posting positions, coordinating logistics, and hosting information sessions
• Support the logistical planning and excellent execution of in-person community, family or staff engagement sessions
• Coordinate and support the operations team on logistical elements of moving 150 staff members to new school locations
• Organize equity task force meetings
• Complete tasks assigned by the Chief of Strategy and Turnaround - a primary responsibility of this position is to add capacity to this chief

Outreach

• Develop communication materials (letters, emails, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) to provide project updates and generate excitement and enthusiasm for projects, in partnership with the Communications team
• With assistance, communicate “the why” behind projects to motivate others to action
• Co-design family, community and staff engagement
• Represent the district at community and family meetings and be in the community to gather input and inform stakeholders
• Take notes, organization information, and disseminate information
• Educate stakeholders and train staff as necessary on important project elements
• Enhance parent voice, leadership and feedback to strengthen project outcomes
• Develop and manage key community partnerships that support aspects of high priority projects
• Support district-wide collaborations and initiatives to increase family engagement

Requirements/Skills/Abilities of Top Candidates

• 
  Bachelor’s Degree or Associate’s Degree
• Proficient skills in range of technology school, especially Google Docs and Google Calendar, and ability to research and use new functionality quickly
• Interest in or experience in education or community-based organizations
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a significant plus
• Connection to Holyoke a significant plus
• Note: official Project management certification is not required

Working Style of Top Candidates

• Highly organized with impeccable follow through
• High standards of excellence
• Balances clear and direct communication with kindness, cheer and empathy (“You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”)
• Communicates to an appropriate level of detail - concise but thorough (“Brevity is king”)
• Able to “get things done,” yet somewhat flexible in how things get done - able to incorporate others’ suggestions and working styles to achieve a common goal
• Balances problem solving challenges with limited oversight, yet raising key issues early enough to supervisor before they become too big
• Able to balance competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Mindset that no job is “beneath” you
• Good writer

Reports to: Chief of Strategy and Turnaround

Date: As soon as possible, although will wait until summer if necessary

Pay Range: $48,000-55,000, depending on experience (this pay range assumes full-time employment)

Notes:

• Be sure to include a thoughtful cover letter to showcase your writing skills and explain why this position in Holyoke is of significant interest to you.
• HPS is open to various employment arrangements, including full-time, part-time and/or contract, although 75-100% time as an employee is preferred.