Associate Director of Policy & Investigations
Job Location:
Washington, DC - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Associate Director of Policy & Investigations
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Policy & Investigations is an integral part of the legal team assisting in Title IX and bullying-related issues student discipline appeal hearings and investigations into student conduct matters ensuring compliance with laws and regulations while upholding a fair and equitable approach to student policy enforcement and a safe learning environment. The starting salary range for this role is $94082-$103984. This is a full-time hybrid flexibility role based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of Mid-August 2026.
About KIPP DC
For 25 years KIPP DC has partnered with students families and the community to create joyful academically excellent schools across the nations capital. Today our network of 22 schools educate more than 7500 students in grades PreK3-12 supported by 1500 dedicated teachers leaders and staff.
Our work is grounded in five pillarsAcademic Excellence Joy & Sense of Belonging Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders Safe Structured and Nurturing Learning Environments and Commitment to College Readinesswhich ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge skills and confidence to pursue success in college careers and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.
As part of the national KIPP network we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington D.C. Together we strive toward a future without limits for our students alumni and community.
About the Role
The Associate Director of Policy & Investigations on the legal team is responsible for handling Title IX and bullying-related issues managing student discipline appeal hearings and leading investigations into student conduct matters. Youll ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations while working closely with legal and student support teams to address concerns and uphold a fair equitable and legally sound approach to student discipline and policy enforcement. Youll play a critical role in safeguarding the organizations commitment to a safe and supportive learning environment.
Location and Type of Work
This is an exempt position and will report to the Director of Student Policy. As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. This position will generally work independently and regularly interface with students families or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this positions work this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 2 days per week.
Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.
Supporting the Director of Student Policy and School Leaders with student discipline policies and investigations (50%)
- Facilitate and participate in school-level discipline hearings and appeals
- Lead investigations and ensure that proper discipline documentation is in place
- Support sensitive student/parent issues and processes including the student discipline process (as KIPP DCs disciplinary officer) student issues relating to social services and MPD and parent/guardian complaints
- Support trainings for School Leaders and staff regarding discipline law and KIPP DC best practices around student discipline and documentation
- Assist with school barring and welcome back processes
- Assist with bullying investigations and safety plans
- Support student investigations in coordination with school leadership.
- Assist the Director of Student Policy with external investigations related to school-based issues including those conducted by MPD and OAG.
- Facilitate and participate in family meetings on sensitive topics as requested by School Leaders and Academic Leadership.
- Support coordination of and monitoring compliance with Title IX.
- Assist with Title IX grievance processes for students faculty and staff.
- Support prevention efforts to avoid Title IX violations through training and awareness campaigns.
- Investigate discrimination complaints brought by students regarding sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
- Assist the Director of Student Policy with designing and delivering professional development sessions for staff on topics such as student discipline laws bullying prevention trauma-informed investigation practices and data documentation.
- Serve as a resource for school leaders and staff on complex student discipline and policy questions.
- Enter and manage data for legal and student discipline matters to ensure accuracy and completeness in tracking and reporting systems.
- Provide administrative and organizational support to the legal team including maintaining case files and documentation.
- Assist with reviewing and organizing legal documents reports and policies.
- Conduct preliminary research to support ongoing investigations or legal matters.
Requirements & Preferences
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree
- A minimum of 5 years of experience working in education or with schools/school systems
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Exceptional organizational skills and a strong attention to detail
- Proficiency in data entry and database management
Preferred Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Masters degree in Policy or Education preferred
- Experience with investigating student complaints
- At least 3 years experience doing legal compliance
- Familiarity with Title IX preferred
- Strong ability to manage up and exercise judgment in difficult situations
- A passion for being part of a team-oriented mission-driven culture
- Ability to constantly prioritize workflow and make hard trade-offs
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel to KIPP DC schools and the headquarters office as needed
Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:
- Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform believing in every childs potential for success and prioritizing students schools and the essential role of families.
- Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
- Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
- Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
- Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
- Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
- Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DCs commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse equitable and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
- Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback self reflection humility and action.
Benefits & Compensation
KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:
- The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $94082-$103984. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity equity and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
- KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical dental and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability long term disability life insurance and a membership to One Medical.
- KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against or tolerate discrimination against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including but not limited to actual or perceived race color national origin immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal DC state or local law) religion sex (including pregnancy childbirth lactation and related medical conditions) age physical or mental disability medical condition sexual orientation gender (including gender identity or expression) marital status (including domestic partnership status) genetic information political affiliation pregnancy family responsibilities personal appearance veteran status uniform service member status status of being unemployed status of victim a survivor of domestic violence sexual offense or stalking matriculation or any other protected class under federal state DC or local law.
Click here or here to review KIPP DCs non-discrimination policy and KIPP DCs Title IX Coordinators contact information.
Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at . Please include your name resume and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
KIPP DC is a community of high-performing, public schools committed to excellence, equity, and justice.
