Reports To:  Associate Secretary, Financial Reform & Resource Management

Date of Employment:  January 2, 2013

Closing Date for Application:  November 26, 2012

Description of Position:

We are an exceptional team in search of an exceptional leader.  Delaware is at the forefront of cutting-edge education reform in the United States and uniquely positioned to be model for reform across the nation.  We are committed to transforming Delaware into the best education system in the country and we need world-class leaders to pull it off.

As the leader of the Technology and Data Development workgroup, the Director plays a significant part in many of Delaware’s most critical reform efforts including developing a vision for the Delaware Education System Information Technology resources for the Department of Education, School Districts and Charters and linking to National initiatives for data sharing and exchange.  You will report to the Associate Secretary for Finance Reform and Resource Management and as core member of the Department’s management team will represent the Department on a number of key state-level and national technology efforts.  You will be looked to for solutions and guidance on a range of technology issues, from managing the Department’s data systems and technology to collection of student and staff data, and the collection and dissemination of fiscal, personnel and student data for federal and state reporting.

We are looking for a natural motivator capable of building relationships with key stakeholders across departmental, state, national, public and private spheres of influence.  We seek a dynamic thinker willing to challenge convention and tackle difficult problems objectively and creatively.  You will need impressive information systems credentials, as well as strong organizational, analytical, writing and interpersonal skills to be successful as the main purpose of your workgroup is to is to improve the quality of educational decision making by providing accurate and timely information, improve the quality of reporting mechanisms and provide user friendly access to information systems in support of the Delaware Public Education system.  Above all, you need to share our sense of urgency as we look to the coming few years to deliver on the ambitious goals that put Delaware at the forefront of education reform in the United States.

Major responsibilities include:

• Supervise the Technology Management and Data Development Workgroup.
• Lead Department Data Collection Efforts
• Direct Department Support for the Statewide Student Information System
• Coordinate Department Development, Support, and Maintenance of both Custom Application Development Efforts and Purchased Applications
• Drive Department’s District, State, and Federal Reporting Efforts
• Set DOE policy and standards for IT infrastructure and Technology direction
• Performs other duties as required by the Associate Secretary, Financial Reform & Resource Management

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in Management Information Systems or Computer Science

Experience:

• A minimum of ten year’s experience managing a large diverse group of technical, professional, and support staff
• Experience in Data collection and reporting systems to include experience with the concepts of data warehousing.
• Experience in reading and interpreting state and federal law and its application to data collection systems. Work in this area will involve Public Schools and specifically student enrollment and educational reporting.
• Knowledge of data privacy practices and laws especially with its application to detailed student information.
• Experience managing multiple projects while ensuring that goals and priorities are met. Specifically experience in managing large scale Information Technology projects with demonstrated success.
• Experience in technology integration which includes collecting requirements, planning the implementation, setting and achieving goals, and ensuring success.
• Experience in state budgeting and accounting principles with the ability to apply those principles to managing the DOE’s computer center budget.

Skills:

• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate technical subjects to both technical and non-technical staff a must.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and relay complex information about Delaware schools to parents and the public
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Perform responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Be able to demonstrate effective leadership in establishing collaborative relationships in pursuit of goals common to both the Department and Delaware schools
• Ability to proactively problem-solve with professionalism

Salary:

Salary will be computed in accordance with the experience and training of the individual selected and in accordance with the salary schedules for employees of the Delaware Department of Education.  Direct deposit of payroll checks is mandatory for state employment, and employees are paid on a lag pay schedule with the first payment made after approximately one month of employment.

Notes:

A criminal background check is required. The candidate must demonstrate in the interview process an understanding of diversity issues as related to student achievement and the ability to apply the principles of multicultural education.   This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. The Director should expect to perform any other related activities needed to deliver the position’s key duties and responsibilities and follow any other instructions as defined by his/her supervisor.

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Apply To:
Mary L. Cooke, Esq.
Human Resource Office
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal Street
Dover, Delaware 19901
Phone:(302) 735-4030
Fax:(302) 739-7768
Email:doehr@doe.k12.de.us

• Application for Employment [PDF] [Word]
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The Delaware Department of Education is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or Vietnam Era veteran’s status in employment or its programs and activities.