Senior Director of Early Literacy

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is seeking applicants for an Education Program Director III (Working Title: Senior Director of Early Literacy) for our Office of Early Learning.

The purpose of the Office of Early Learning (OEL) is to provide leadership technical assistance professional development and other support to local education agencies for the implementation of evidence-informed practices in Preschool Grade 3 programs including the NC Early Learning Inventory. The OEL promotes the alignment of Preschool Grade 3 program components to address the unique needs of young children and their families with an emphasis on standards curricula assessment and evidence-informed instructional practices. In addition the OEL provides oversight for the Head Start State Collaboration Office.

The guiding vision of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public-school student will graduate ready for postsecondary education and work prepared to be a globally engaged and productive citizen through access to needed resources and rigor. By the power of the Constitution the State Board of Education supervises and administers the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support. Additionally the Board makes rules and regulations subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly. State Board of Education responsibilities include but are not limited to the development of content standards and the Standard Course of Study in core academic areas; development and implementation of exit exams and grade-level student proficiency benchmarks; and establishment implementation and enforcement of the School-Based Management and Accountability Program in order to improve student performance increase local flexibility and control and promote economy and efficiency.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide executive leadership for the Office of Early Learning. Responsibilities include policy and program leadership related to state and federally funded early childhood programs including alignment to the Preschool Exceptional Children section Title I Pre-Kindergarten (Federal Programs) as well as the Head Start Collaboration Office. Furthermore this position oversees the development and state-wide implementation of the K-3 Formative and Diagnostic Assessment Process as defined by the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) in Public School Law 115C-83.5. Through participation in multiple national and state-level committees advisory groups and caucuses this position collaboratively advances the field of early education. And in collaboration with the State Board of Education this position works to inform and educate the NCGA on the merits and benefits of advancing an aligned system of early education Pre-K Grade 5.

EEO Statement:

The State of North Carolina and the Department of Public Instruction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Demonstrated experience following and/or utilizing educational trends developments and instructional techniques.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and/or following federal laws and/or guidelines as they pertain to the states educational program.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing administrative techniques and/or experience within the present educational system in the state.
• Demonstrated experience planning organizing and implementing a statewide program in public education.
• Demonstrated experience delegating complex professional assignments to subordinates and/or evaluating their work.

• Initiator of the science of reading practices and processes aligned to the Excellent Public Schools Act. This position directly supervises the Head Start State Collaboration Director Assistant Director of Early Learning Assistant Director of Early Literacy OEL Charter/Business Coordinator (16) Regional Early Education Consultants (8) Regional NC Literacy Facilitators and (115 field based) Early Literacy Specialists. This position reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer at the Department of Public Instruction.
  
  
• The position must have thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and policies related to early education within the Pre-K- Grade 3 continuum and early literacy aligned to the science of reading within the Pre-KGrade 5 continuum. This position should have a strong background in early childhood and early literacy education including curricula standards assessment learning environments policies and procedures affecting Pre-K Grade 3 programs Pre-K Grade 5 science of reading aligned practices and processes as well as familiarity with various mentoring/coaching models of professional development. Familiarity with all policy manuals of relevant departments and programs is essential. This position must understand organizational systems ability to collaborate with the Director of Teaching and Learning and seamlessly engage in the change process how to implement new programs and the politics related to initiatives involving the domain of multiple agencies.
  
• This position must have the ability to plan organize and direct the work of subordinate personnel engaged in developing new policy and to make clear explanations of laws and regulations. This position must be able to understand the legislative process and to work with policy makers as well as interact with individuals who hold differing views. Sound judgment decision-making and problem-solving skills are essential. This position must have a thorough knowledge of management principles and their application. This position must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse people. Superior writing and speaking skills are essential. This position must have the ability to prepare clear and concise reports in connection with work explain systems and procedures to others and express oneself clearly and concisely in both oral and written formats.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. See for details.
Masters degree in education or the special education field to which assigned from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in public education including a minimum of four years in an administrative capacity; or Doctoral degree in education or the special education field to which assigned from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in public education including three years in an administrative or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the NEOGOV Online Job Application System (Job Opportunities Sorted by Job Title ascending Careers ()for the State of North Carolina.

Any applications not received by the advertisement closing date and time will not be accepted outside of the portal. To receive credit for work history and credentials the applicant must list the information on the online application form. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered for qualifying credit. NC DPI welcomes attached or incorporated resumes cover letters and reference information but these items will not be used for screening for qualifying credit.

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