HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership for school division safety/crisis management, maintenance, construction, transportation, school nutrition, risk management, truancy, and technology infrastructure. Actively leads in the short and long range strategic planning to support the effective school division operations. The COO oversees the daily operational needs and effectively coordinates the efficient operations of the school division. Maintains professional relationships with administrators, staff, business partners, and community members/stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Effectively demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions and possesses a combination of education, training, and/or experience as follows:

• A minimum of ten years of successful senior leadership experience of increasing responsibilities in operations, facilities management, or relevant responsibilities and experience supervising others.

• Graduate of an accredited college/university with a master’s degree in Education, Business, Management, or related discipline.

2. Knowledge of: 

• Best practices in facilities and operations management to ensure that the school division’s facilities remain up-to-date.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and operations including supervision, budget preparations and administration.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, procedures and regulations applicable to facility operations in public schools.

3. Ability to: 

• Direct and evaluate the operations and activities related to areas of primary responsibility.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Develop creative solutions to the challenges of facilities and operations.
• Work collaboratively with others to support school division objectives and strategic planning.

4. Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

5. Familiarity with racial equity and inclusion frameworks. Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities. Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.

6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities to foster professional relationships and express and/or exchange ideas.

7. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments to improve instructional practices.8. Proficiency in the use of a variety of office equipment and technology with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email, and information system applications.9. Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and the community.10. Proficiency in business English: spelling, grammar, and spoken language.11. Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to people and their concerns. Able to handle responsibility, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, families, administration, co-workers, and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Plans, directs, and coordinates the effective operations of the school division. Collaborates with building leadership to identifies ways to support this school division’s strategic plan through facilities and operations management. Regularly visits all division facilities and meets with building leadership to discuss current and future facility needs.
2. Provides leadership and oversight of division construction/remodel projects.
3. Develops, collaborates with and maintains positive relationships with the Harrisonburg Transportation Department, the Harrisonburg Police Department, the Harrisonburg Fire Department, and other external community agencies/resources.
4. Effectively develops, analyzes, and reviews the appropriated budget as well as the Capital Improvement Plan.
5. Effectively provides leadership to maintaining an efficient operations of the school division in collaboration with school division leaders, to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for all students, staff, and community.
6. Assists the Superintendent with school delay and school closure decisions.
7. Leads the development of any relocation/redistricting plans as directed by the Superintendent or the School Board.
8. Provides leadership and oversight of the development and/or revision of school safety, security protocols, and plans.
9. Effectively and quickly responds to any crisis and/or emergency situation.
10. Oversees the truancy program.
11. Serves as the chair of the Superintendent’s Disciplinary Committee.
12. Provides leadership for the energy management & conservation program.
13. Supervises and coordinates the division maintenance program:

• Supervises and coordinates the work of the school division’s maintenance supervisor.
• Establishes and implements a preventative maintenance plan with emphasis on energy conservation, safety and cost containment.
• Ensures compliance with the hazard communications standards (asbestos, radon, lead, etc.).
• Supervises and coordinates the proper use and maintenance of all division vehicles.
• Prepares and administer the maintenance budget.
• Evaluates the maintenance staff.

14. Coaches, collaborates, and actively supports building leadership and staff.15. Serves as a Decision Maker in the school division’s Title IX process.16. Develops, updates, interprets and administers school division operation policies and regulations.17. Conducts surveys, investigations, and research and interprets and distributes results, as requested by the Superintendent.18. Reports on the status of Division programs and services at the request of the Superintendent.19. Prepares and submits reports as requested or required by the Virginia Department of Education.20. Supervises staff assigned to the Operations department.21. Stays informed of current building, facilities, and operational trends and programs for public schools in Virginia.22. Attends appropriate regional, state, and national conferences in the interest of improving school operations.23. Remains current with all local, state, and federal laws, policies and regulations that impact the school division.24. Attends school board meetings and provides reports on the status of programs and services in areas of primary functions.25. Represents staff and HCPS at meetings and conferences.26. Actively participates as a member of the HCPS leadership team.27. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.28. Maintains appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.29. Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.30. Responds to telephone, email and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite and responsive manner.31. Serves as role model by developing and effectively maintaining professional boundaries with students and staff at all times. Ensures respect for the ethical and legal duties in the staff-to-student and administrator-to-staff relationships.32. Serves as a role model for others, as an educational leader, by demonstrating good attendance, punctuality, appearance, demeanor, dress and behavior.33. Actively participates in and attends all required meetings.34. Maintains confidentiality in all matters.35. Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions, including non-discriminatory and cultural inclusion practices by respecting the worth, dignity and individual beliefs of others.36. Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations and procedures.37. Effectively performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Regular contact with staff members is required. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of administrative personnel.

The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.