Program Associate I - Exceptional Student Education (Compliance Division)

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Program Associate I - Exceptional Student Education (Compliance Division)

Location: McKinley Building, 4701 McKinley, Detroit, MI 48208

Salary: $67,690 - $88,539

Reports To: Senior Executive Director, Exceptional Student Education

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week), subject to departmental needs and district approval.

Position Summary

In accordance with the agreement between the Organization of School Administrators (OSAS) and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced:

The Program Associate I serves as a key member of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Compliance Division, providing executive-level administrative, operational, and project management support to the Senior Executive Director of Exceptional Student Education. The position coordinates departmental initiatives, strategic planning, executive operations, project implementation, parent engagement, and cross-department collaboration to advance district priorities and ensure compliance with federal, state, and district requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Knowledge of Special Education preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in administrative support, project management, program coordination, executive support, or in a Program Associate role.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, fostering collaborative relationships, and supporting organizational initiatives preferred.
• Experience with payroll processing, purchasing, and budget tracking preferred.
• Experience supporting parent engagement initiatives and community outreach preferred.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments while meeting established deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• Experience preparing executive reports, presentations, meeting agendas, and briefing materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze information, prepare reports, and communicate recommendations effectively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive information.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Provide executive-level administrative and operational support to the Senior Executive Director.
• Coordinate department-wide strategic initiatives, operational priorities, and special projects.
• Assist in planning and monitoring departmental strategic goals and performance measures.
• Plan and coordinate leadership meetings, retreats, trainings, community meetings, and special events.
• Prepare executive reports, presentations, agendas, correspondence, and meeting minutes.
• Coordinate payroll, purchasing, travel reimbursements, contracts, and operational processes.
• Support budget tracking and financial monitoring activities.
• Coordinate hiring activities, interview logistics, and onboarding support.
• Support parent engagement, family outreach, and stakeholder communications.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Communications, Legal, Information Technology,
  
  

Security Clearance

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method Of Application

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.