VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

CERTIFICATED JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF POSITION: Executive Director, Educational Excellence and Innovation, PreK-12

A. Primary Function: Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational 

Excellence and Innovation, the Executive Director serves as the educational leader for all schools and the curriculum and instructional programs within the Vista Unified School District. Provides guidance, support, and monitoring to all schools and principals in implementing the district’s vision, portraits, adopted curriculum, professional development,  instructional improvement programs and early childhood education. Directs the utilization of Federal and State funding to benefit academic achievement and support for all students. 

B. Directly Responsible to: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Excellence or designee

C. Assigned Staff: Staff including all certificated, classified, and management staff

D. Representative Duties:

1. Ensure the rapid and sustained improvement in the performance of the schools, including ensuring that each school is improving rapidly in terms of student achievement, culture and climate, instructional leadership, school operations, community engagement, etc. E

2. Provides leadership on Multi-tiered System of Support and Universal Design for Learning. E

3. Provides leadership and direction in the identification and interpretation of needs and the establishment of priorities related to the PreK-12 instructional program (assessment, curriculum, and instruction, program improvements and instructional technology). E

4. Supports the District’s TK-12 curriculum and instructional design/development programs, instructional delivery systems, strategies and techniques for achieving optimal educational and instructional results which includes but is not limited to the selection of textbooks, instructional media and materials for curricular and instructional programs. E

5. Provide school leaders the tools, support and training they need to refine and articulate the overall instructional strategies for their schools. E

6. Analyzes performance assessments for students; analyzes corresponding District TK-12 educational programs for effectiveness in improving students’ academic achievement. E

7. Works collaboratively with others in Educational Excellence and Innovation to analyze student achievement, program design and implementation, and effectiveness of instructional program and initiatives, assessments, District professional development and support strategies as well as to ensure the coordination, alignment, and articulation of a comprehensive elementary curricular and instructional program. E

8. Works collaboratively with the Information Technology department in the development and maintenance of an online system of programs and assessments to measure and support student performance which provides evidence useful to the evaluation of revisions of TK-12 educational programs.  

9. Assists with the establishment of agendas, serving as a chairperson, if applicable, providing leadership, support, and guidance to EE & I led groups and District level committees. E

10. Initiates and provides assistance to the development, administration, and evaluation of innovative educational programs in the schools of the District     

11. Assists Assistant Superintendent when providing leadership and expertise in forming, guiding, and counseling District committees, groups, councils, and advisors for assigned areas of responsibility as well as to District staff and members of the community to ensure thorough communication relative to the educational design and delivery process. E

12. Communicates to the Assistant Superintendent the requirements and needs of the District as perceived by principals, staff members, students and parents.

13. Leads the process pursuant to the selection of TK-12 textbooks and instructional materials for the District in accordance with established District procedures. E

13. Provides oversight of TK-12 teacher professional development and ensures that professional development is evaluated for effectiveness and resources are utilized properly. E

14.  Provides leadership in directing program and fiscal planning, curriculum development, professional development, special programs, budgeting, staffing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of assigned TK-12 programs. E

15. Provides ongoing leadership development, professional growth and adult learning, aligned with high standards and TK-12 school site needs resulting in continual student success. E

16. Maintains research based knowledge in education reform and utilizes this knowledge to ensure ongoing improvements in high academic achievement and improved student outcomes.  

17. Mobilizes resources to best achieve District goals, objectives, and expectations. 

18. Establishes a climate within the department that is conducive to appropriate conduct, performance, attitude, job satisfaction, and service orientation. E

19. Communicates with other administrators, personnel and outside organizations to coordinate TK-12 activities and programs, resolves issues/conflicts; exchanges information and develops policies and procedures to encourage effective and efficient management controls; attends and participates in a variety of staff development and meetings; participates in/or coordinates professional growth activities. 

20. Maintains the confidentiality of information used in personnel issues and or District functions. 

21. Provides oversight and support to the Director of Educational Excellence and Innovation for the District’s P3 program, including P3 focus group and other related activities and committees. E

22. Provides support in the expansion and oversight of Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten. E

23. Supervises and evaluates the performance of all assigned personnel in accordance with District policies.

24. Performs other related duties as assigned.

E. Education and Experience:

Appropriate valid California Clear Teaching Credential

Valid California Administrative Services Credential 

Master’s Degree required

Valid California driver’s license

At least ten (10) years of successful educational leadership experience

Site level experience required

F. Qualifications:

Knowledge of: 

Effective and research based PreK-12 curriculum, instruction and pedagogy

Effective strategies, curriculum and instruction to support all students and subgroups 

Budget analysis, planning and monitoring 

Data to evaluate and monitor programs and assessments

Investigation, research and report writing techniques

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy 

Able to access and utilize Data Visualization applications

  Abilities to:

Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, for a wide-range of audiences and settings

Work in a diverse socio-economic and multicultural community

Maintain consistent, punctual and regular attendance

Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

Plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet multiple schedules and deadlines, and manage simultaneous tasks, with many interruptions

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with District personnel, community members, and external companies and agencies 

Express commitment to promote the concept that all students have identifiable talents/skills which will be emphasized throughout the educational program  

Maintain records and exercise confidentiality 

Use a computer or other technology-based equipment

G. Physical Demands:

Occasionally sitting for extended periods of time 

Frequently walking, standing, stooping or bending 

Variable hours

Physical agility and stamina (occasionally to frequently)

Occasionally lifting, pushing or pulling objects weighing up to 15 pounds, seldom weighing up to 30 lbs

Occasionally climbing, reaching overhead (above the shoulders), twisting, crouching or kneeling 

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard (occasionally to frequently)

Frequently listening and speaking to exchange information and make presentations

Physical Demands Frequency Definitions Based on an 8 hour day:

N = Never = 0%

S = Seldom = 1 - 10% (< 45 minutes)

Oc = Occasionally = 11 - 33% ( up to 3.0 hours)

F = Frequently = 34 - 66% (up to 6 hours)

C = Continuously = 67 - 100% (> 6 hours)

H. Salary: Range 31

I. Work Year:  227 days

Updated 4/2025