Compass Charter School’s mission is to inspire and develop innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time. When we start with scholars, we start from a place of possibility. With scholars at the center, we have defined the desired competencies for Compass employees that support meaningful learning experiences and create the enabling conditions to bring our vision for scholars to life, creating a collaborative virtual learning community, inspiring scholars to appreciate the ways in which arts and sciences nurture a curiosity for life-long learning, and prepare scholars to take responsibility for their future success.

Compass fosters a work environment that is personalized, authentic, competency-based, inclusive and equitable. Our Core Values guide our work every day. Those Core Values are teamwork and achievement for all community members; inclusive, respectful communication and collaboration; and mutual respect and integrity. 

Core Values: Achievement | Respect | Teamwork | Integrity | Communication

Although the Chief Academic Officer has unique requirements and duties, we believe that all employees play a critical role in the success of each and every scholar. The following competencies are common across every employee:

Essential Competency

I am a Community Leader and understand that I am a member of a global society. I feel a sense of responsibility to make a contribution both at the local level and in the wider world.

This looks/sounds like:

• I embrace shared aspirations that drive organizational goals and actions.
• I support initiatives to allocate resources in alignment with our Framework for the Future and Blueprint for Success.
• I engage in a culture of high expectations and support in which each individual continuously strives to achieve our desired outcomes.
• I support the design of widespread access for educational partners that support meaningful, equitable learning experiences and opportunities.

I am an Effective Collaborator who participates effectively to build understanding of concepts and ideas and completes authentic tasks and projects. I actively listen, strive to understand others and seek to be understood, using these effective communication techniques to create a safe environment in which everyone feels valued and is inspired to achieve common goals. 

This looks/sounds like:

• I provide resources and time to support educational partners to effectively meet the needs of each and every scholar.
• I leverage our shared ARTIC values to collaborate with colleagues and educational partners,  to navigate ambiguity and to make difficult decisions required to achieve our desired outcomes.
• I incorporate and utilize strong communication systems to listen and inform colleagues, as well as our educational partners.
• I value educational partners as active participants in the learning process and scholar outcomes.

I am a Confident Learner who strives to be my best self and recognize my purpose and value,  both inside and outside of Compass. I think critically and skillfully evaluate data and  information as a guide to form beliefs and take action.

This looks/sounds like:

• I dedicate time to learn, practice and share my growth based on desired outcomes for all scholars.
• I consistently measure the impact of my collective practice on scholars’ progress and utilize that assessment to inform next steps toward achieving our vision.
• I develop strong relationships through consistency, compassion, communication, and competence in my unique role.

I am an Innovator who doesn’t limit myself by what is. I seek to create something new and better in service of achieving my goals and the organizational goals. I synthesize information and explore multiple perspectives to find creative and realistic solutions.

This looks/sounds like:

• I support the transition from legacy expectations to the learner-centered conditions that support our Framework for the Future and Blueprint for Success. 
• I leverage systems that embrace agency from individuals and teams.
• I provide access to the tools and resources  scholars need to be successful, while also ensuring privacy, security, scholars’ safety and well-being.
• I effectively use tools and resources to reflect and manage change, overcome hurdles, and measure impact.

These are essential competencies for leadership to ensure each Compass employee receives the following employment opportunity and your leadership leads to coherence, connectedness and an optimal organizational culture:

Essential Competency

I Personalize support by tailoring to each employee’s unique strengths, skills, interests, and needs.

This looks/sounds like:

• I support opportunities for career development to inspire and engage staff, honoring individual career aspirations aligned to the scholar profile.
• I provide personalized professional learning opportunities for staff to self-assess, set goals, and engage in learning cycles with feedback and support to improve their practice. 
• I leverage the strengths and talents of our staff to best meet the needs of scholars.

I use Authentic, relevant feedback and coaching,  grounded in real-world opportunities and challenges that include applications for mastery and growth.

This looks/sounds like:

• I use aligned educational competencies, evaluation, and feedback to the desired learning model and address opportunity in ways that meet Compass Values and maintain employee dignity. 
• I design meetings and interactions to enhance community and collaboration.

I use Competency-Based Assessment, evidence-based observation, assessments, and feedback cycles that are based on progress toward desired knowledge, skills and dispositions to drive employee growth and support retention. 

This looks/sounds like:

• I use data effectively, measuring systems to report coherence, culture and connectedness.
• I use co-created progress metrics driven by our scholar profile to influence coaching, feedback and opportunities for on-going improvement.

I create Equitable and Inclusive learning communities within my team and across the organization that are collaborative and culturally relevant, where every employee feels they belong and can tap into their full role potential, contributing to the collective success of our community. 

This looks/sounds like:

• I recruit and hire strategically. ensuring our practices and policies are inclusive (as relevant to position).
• I leverage relationships with colleagues and teams to create the Gold Standard of Compass Culture. 

These are the essential requirements to serve in the Chief Academic Officer role:   

• Any combination of training/education, and experience equivalent to a graduate degree from an accredited college/university with an emphasis on educational leadership.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of successful experience in school academics, comparable private and/or non-profit sector experience, or related school operations.
• Valid California Administrative Services Credential.
• Exemplary communication skills and demonstrated ability to write and present orally clear and concise management, academic, and related reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people both inside and outside of the school.
• A knowledge of applicable state laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience working with blended, online, personalized, and/or virtual learning schools preferred.
• Proficient in digital engagement: computer & software skills. (ie Google Suite and Microsoft), social media literacy (ie Twitter, Google Classroom, website navigation), information & communication (email, intranets), web & mobile applications, interpersonal & social networking skills, and student/school systems (ie student information system, digital courseware, online learning platforms). 

Example duties for the Chief Academic Officer may include:

• Develops division programs, policies, and procedures for the purpose of fulfilling state education code requirements, Board policies, as well as meeting requests of the Superintendent & CEO.
• Analyzes division-wide performance data and outcomes, recommending strategic and staffing adjustments accordingly in order to ensure meaningful progress toward the achievement of organization-wide goals.
• Leads the Academic Services Division, setting goals and expectations for academic staff and scholar performance that support Compass’ Blueprint for Success.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet to maintain top-level communication on all matters related to the successful functioning of the Academic Services Division and the organization as a whole.
• Collaborates with the Cabinet to contribute to organization-wide strategic design for culture and engagement, as well as communicating the rationale behind decisions to the academic staff to promote transparency.
• Provides advice, counsel, reports, studies, and recommendations to the Superintendent, Cabinet, Leadership Team, and others on all matters relating to the Academic Services Division.
• Manifests the skills necessary to effectively lead positive change with the directors of the Academic Services Division to deepen their leadership capabilities, sharing people management best practices that support professional learning standards and standards for the various education professions.
• Encourages cross-functional collaboration to align efforts, setting realistic yet aggressive timeframes for achieving objectives. 

Work Environment:

Position is based in an approved home office in the State of California. As the safety, adequacy, and functionality of the approved home office is key, approval must be provided to work from any other location with the exception of the Central Office. May be required to also work from the Central Office, Learning Center, or other Compass location as directed by supervisor or the Superintendent & CEO. Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed to meet the needs of scholars, Learning Coaches (parents), and staff. Must be able to travel throughout the State of California for school-related activities. Note - you will be required to notify HR if any work will be performed in San Francisco or out of state for any period of time for review and pre-approval.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees so classified.  All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.