Title: Supervising Field Officer- Charter Schools SW Michigan

VP Area: Academic Affairs

Department: Charter Schools Office

Published Salary Range: $35.00/hr

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Charter School Office Field Officer is the on-site “eyes and ears” of the Charter School Office, the “boots on the ground” person who reports the status of the teaching and learning environment and other information to the Executive Director. To that end, the Field Officer provides guidance for the university in fulfilling its oversight role.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Represent the Charter School Office at Board of Directors’ meetings annually at each academy to which s/he is assigned.  (Includes the possibility of weekdays, evenings and/or weekends)        

Board of Directors Meeting requirements include:

• Reviewing Board meeting agendas prior to each meeting and conferring with the Board President about that agenda as necessary;
• Reviewing Board meeting minutes upon their publication and ensuring that they accurately reflect the business conducted at each Board meeting;
• Ensuring that the Board of Directors follows standard parliamentary procedures at each meeting;
• Ensuring that the Board of Directors follows provisions of the Open Meetings Act at each meeting; immediately addressing any potential violations of the OMA if and when they might be contemplated by the Board;
• Ensuring that the Board of Directors receives up-to-date monthly financial reports
• Ensuring that the Board of Directors receives monthly academic updates
• Ensuring that the Board of Directors approves all required documents in a timely manner (School Improvement Plan, Board meeting and school year calendars, board minutes, annual audit, etc.)
• Providing guidance and support to the Board during each Board meeting attended as needed
• Submitting a written report through Epicenter (or successor programs) for each board meeting in a format prescribed by the CSO within five business days of each board meeting (Report any perceived illegal action of the Board to the Executive Director immediately upon discovery of such illegal action)

Make a minimum of two announced and one unannounced on-site visitations annually at each academy to which s/he is assigned.  Site visit requirements include.

Supervising Field Officer duties include:

• Observing academy classrooms and other building areas;
• Noting the degree to which students demonstrate appropriate decorum;
• Visiting with staff members regarding their satisfaction with the working environment at the academy;
• Noting the manner in which staff and students interact;
• Checking on the learning environment present at the academy (physical condition of rooms, HVAC, etc.);
• Visiting with students and parents to determine the degree of satisfaction each is experiencing at the academy;
• Being watchful for any violations of OSHA or MIOSHA safety standards and immediately reporting the same to the School Leader/Principal and Executive Director;
• Meeting periodically with the School Leader and/or ESP CEO to discuss the status of the academy as seen by the Field Officer and to answer any questions they might have for LSSU;
• Following up on the report regarding the condition of the building and grounds issued annually by the Recon Management Group;
• Assisting the CSO with follow-up on academy insurance and/or personnel reviews conducted by Hylant and QPR, respectively;
• Becoming familiar with academy programs and instructional practices (including auxiliary services such as food service, after-school programs, special events, professional development activities, parent organizations, etc.);
• Attending occasional academy student and parent activities as the Field Officer's schedule permits;
• Observing the enrollment lottery process as needed;
• Submitting a written report through Epicenter (or successor programs) within five business days of each visit in a format prescribed by the CSO (report any perceived illegal action of the academy to the Executive Director immediately upon discovery of such illegal action);
• Assisting in the screening process of all candidates for a position on a Board of Directors in accordance with Charter School Office procedures;
• Interviewing potential board candidates and submitting a written summary of the interview to the Executive Director before s/he is seated;
• Providing an initial board training orientation to each candidate for a Board of Directors before s/he is seated;
• Attending and providing input at periodic LSSU Charter School Office staff meetings as scheduled;
• Participating in the LSSU Charter School Office Board and Administrator Leadership Summit;
• Reviewing governance and compliance, academics, and finance reports issued by the Charter School Office for each academy to which s/he is assigned;
• Participating in the development of articles for Charter School Office newsletters as requested by the Executive Director;
• Participating in webinars and/or professional development activities presented by the LSSU CSO for its academies;
• Participating in the review of charter school applications as directed by the Executive Director;
• Becoming familiar with all documents issued by the Charter School Office, such as the Board Manual, annual review, contract renewal documents, etc.;
• Distributing and collecting an annual Conflict of Interest Form from board members as requested by the LSSU CSO;
• Keeping the Executive Director informed and up to date regarding the programs, services, practices, challenges, and general operations of each academy to which s/he is assigned;
• Submitting monthly expense requests to the CSO in a timely manner in a format prescribed by the LSSU Business Office;
• Performing all duties and responsibilities of the Field Officer position in accordance with applicable University policies, procedures, and/or state and federal requirements; and
• Performing other tasks and assuming other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, consistent with applicable law.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of current best practices in curriculum and instruction as well as the Core Curriculum State Standards and any other related State or Federal curriculum and/or instruction initiative
• Basic knowledge and understanding of current Michigan public school accreditation standards
• Basic knowledge and understanding of current State and Federal public-school law applicable to Michigan public school academies
• Basic knowledge and understanding of current Michigan public school accounting standards and the requirements of the annual budgeting process
• Ability to analyze and understand Michigan and national educational statistics
• Basic knowledge and understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order and/or parliamentary procedure standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possession of an Educational Specialist or Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration or Educational Leadership
• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from an accredited institution of higher learning
• Possession of a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or Educational Leadership
• Possession of a valid Michigan teaching certificate with a minimum of five years teaching experience in Michigan K-12 public schools
• Possession of a valid Michigan administrative certificate with a minimum of five years’ experience as a Michigan K-12 public school building principal/School Leader
• Minimum of five years successful experience working as a certified and highly qualified teacher in a Michigan public school academy
• Minimum of three years successful experience working as a certified building principal/school leader in a Michigan K-12 public school academy
• Solid understanding of the difference between Board governance and academy operations

Physical Demands:

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. This position requires the ability to work extended hours as needed; perform administrative and organizational tasks; use computers and standard office equipment; communicate effectively with staff, students, parents, and community members; analyze information, solve problems, and perform basic mathematical calculations; manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment; and travel to multiple locations and attend academy events, including evenings and weekends, as required.

Work Hours: 

M-F; Some Weeknights

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This position is for schools in SW Michigan (Grand Rapids Area)