To apply:
Visit careers.pps.net and enter Job ID 28550 in the search bar.
BASIC FUNCTION
Under administrative direction, provide high-quality leadership in the Early Learners program which includes preschool and PK, and directly support students on the continuous path to successful completion of their early learning education and transition to Kindergarten; provide educational services including the development of appropriate curriculum in the areas of literacy, language, math, science, creative arts, self-help, and social-emotional skills; create a community of continuous learning for all staff and students providing early education and family support emphasizing healthy outcome and school readiness, and promoting family self-sufficiency; providing every student with equitable access to high quality and culturally relevant instruction; support and implement the District’s Racial Equity Policy; build strong partnerships with families and community; create a safe, welcoming environment that reflects and supports the racial and ethnic diversity of the student population and communities served; manage operational, technical, and school activities and staff to promote student growth.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all employees within the classification. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.
- Promote a positive, safe, and caring climate for all students; create a welcoming environment that reflects and supports the racial and ethnic diversity of the student population and communities served; communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents. “E”
- Lead the implementation of the Early Learners instructional and health programs which provide access and support to rigorous and culturally relevant instruction for all students. “E”
- Lead development and implementation of assigned Early Learners site(s) plans with staff, parents, and community members; maintain, and use information systems to track progress on site performance objectives and academic excellence indicators. “E”
- Regularly observe classroom instruction and work to improve employee performance as principal evaluator for employee evaluation systems. Ensure equitable access to curriculum standards, programs, and materials regardless of race or achievement levels. “E”
- Lead a shared site-based leadership team that reflects diverse perspectives. Develop and mentor others with an emphasis on administrative team members. “E”
- Participate as an active member of the Early Learners program leadership team. Collaborate with other site-based Early Learners Administrators to ensure consistency in implementing the program’s vision. “E”
- Ensure a fair and equitable interview and selection process for open positions. Create a welcoming and supportive environment for new employees. “E”
- Articulate the Early Learners program’s vision to the community and solicit its support in accomplishing the mission; use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement. “E”
- Actively engage and advocate for historically underserved families of color, including those whose first language may not be English, as essential partners in their student’s education, school planning, and decision-making. “E”
- Supervise all assigned site operations, collaborating with building administrators and the other Early Learners administrators and leadership, including daily program activities and events, school climate, the development of class schedules, teacher and site support staff assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules; manage relationships with external partners such as Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP) and Bravo. “E”
- Supervise and support early learners services by providing professional development to strengthen employees’ knowledge and skills for accelerating preparedness for KG for all students and eliminate historic barriers; establish instructional systems for monitoring student progress, assessment and accountability to eliminate the effects of institutional racism. “E”
- Manage and report on site-based budgets and finances as assigned; ensure compliance with PPS procedures, policies and state and Federal requirements.
- Manage a positive student behavior system; promote social justice; ensure student discipline is appropriate and equitable. “E”
- Represent the district and assigned school in meetings, workshops, conferences and professional activities at and away from the school site. “E”
- Use District IT systems to perform routine tasks, such as performance management assessments; accessing financial reports; student data systems; and managing school staffing and budget information. “E”
- Support District initiatives and priorities aligned with implementing a rigorous curriculum to prepare students to be successful. “E”
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized “E”, which identifies essential duties required of the classification. Thisis strictly for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS
The Early Learners Administrator provides leadership to the students, staff, community and stakeholders in preschool and pre-K grades within the Portland Public Schools. Students self-select into the Early Learners program and receive age-appropriate instruction, are provided regular screenings, and early KG transition preparation. The classification differs from a Principal of Special Programs in that the Early Learners Administrator oversees a subset of classrooms, sites, staff, and students within the Early Learners program and is responsible for implementing the program vision, whereas the principal, or director, is responsible and accountable for the entire program.
Knowledge of:
- Head Start Program Performance Standards and Oregon PK grants that define standard and minimum
requirements for Head Start and Early Learning programs.
- Early childhood best practices.
- Child development, inclusive of the language, motor, physical, social, and emotional growth of preschool aged students.
- PK-12 Education public schools’ laws, policies and guidelines related to administration, curriculum and leadership.
- District labor organizations and collective bargaining agreements.
- Family engagement strategies.
- Wrap-around services for children ages 0 to 5 in the areas of social emotional, mental, and physical health.
Ability to:
- Manage systemic change and successfully implement equity transformation initiatives that produce significant gains in closing the opportunity gap.
- Nurture the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of preschool and pre-K aged children.
- Emphasize learning through play.
- Motivate others and model effective leadership skills.
- Facilitate group decision making; engage in active listening.
- Support healthy behaviors that enhance wellness.
- Take individual initiative; accept responsibility and be held accountable.
- Communicate a sense of vision and direction; adapt to change and remain flexible.
- Advocate, model and implement Portland Public School’s Racial Equity, Equity in Public Purchasing and Contracting and Affirmative Action board policies.
- Use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
Education and Training: A State of Oregon issued Administrative License is required at the time of appointment.
Experience:
A minimum of two (2) years of successful school administrative leadership experience in an early learning, preschool, or pre-K educational setting with demonstrated results in improving the KG transition readiness of students is required.
Experience working in a richly diverse school community and environment and bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred.
Special Requirements:
Positions in this classification require the use of a personal automobile and possession of a valid Class C Oregon driver’s license.
Work hours will routinely include on- and off-campus evening and weekend activities and meetings and district, school and student functions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Persons with certain disabilities may be capable of performing the essential duties of this class with or without reasonable accommodation, depending on the nature of the disability.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an elementary, middle, K-8 and/or High School campus environment, classroom, office, or through a third party provided facility, with extensive student, parent, social service agency, medical care provider contact and frequent interruptions. Work hours will routinely include on- and off-campus evening and weekend activities, meetings and district, school and student functions.
The Early Learners Administrator will lead one preschool center and additional preschool classrooms embedded at 3 elementary schools in Southeast Portland. The Early Learners Administrator is responsible for day-to-day operations, staff supervision, instructional leadership, and family engagement of their school sites in addition to supporting program-wide initiatives and grant requirements.
Hazards: Potential conflict situations.
