Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services (

POSITION: Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Student Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming will establish and sustain a college-going and career-readiness culture throughout Hartford Public Schools, aligning with and supporting the district's strategic priorities. This leader will ensure all students are on track for post-secondary success by:

• Coordinating programmatic elements of alternative program offerings across the district
• Creating models that support the implementation of the district's high school graduation policy
• Developing robust internship opportunities
• Implementing comprehensive student success plans
• Improving cohort graduation rates

The Director will set and monitor performance and program standards for school counselors, college and career specialists, and other secondary staff and specialists in Hartford Public Schools. Using these standards, the Director will support principals by participating in the evaluation process for identified specialists.

The scope of work includes monitoring, analyzing, communicating, and proactively responding to district and school-level data regarding:

• Student on-track status
• Promotion and graduation rates
• Post-secondary entrance assessment results
• Transition planning effectiveness

This position plays a critical role in ensuring equity in post-secondary opportunities and success for all Hartford Public Schools students.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Student-Centered Leadership Support: Prioritize supporting building leaders in developing student engagement initiatives that elevate student voice through activities such as student-led conferences and intentional transition support from grades 5 to 6, 8 to 9, and 12 to college/career.
• Graduation Success Strategies: Facilitate district-wide strategies across traditional and alternative high schools to increase graduation rates for all students. Provide programmatic alignment, oversight, and professional learning to staff in partnership with principals/directors of alternative schooling and personalized pathway options.
• Professional Development: Establish and coordinate comprehensive training and development programs for administrators, school counselors, and specialists aligned with post-secondary success goals. Facilitate and lead professional learning for principals, school counselors, college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators related to implementing the HPS College and Career Framework and related district priorities.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with the Office of Teaching and Learning to develop and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, colleges, and universities that expand post-secondary opportunities for students.
• College & Career Culture: Develop and implement district-wide PK-12 rituals and routines that promote and celebrate a college-going and career-readiness culture aligned with the portrait of an HPS graduate.
• Performance Management: Establish clear program and performance expectations for college career specialists’ positions and related programming consistent with the district's theory of action. Co-evaluate college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators in areas related to guidance, college access, capstone project designs, student e-portfolios, and high school accreditation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Instruction and Student Support Services

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Advanced graduate degree in education, educational leadership, or related field
• Minimum of five (5) successful years of experience in education
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, evaluation, and performance management
• Proven track record designing and delivering effective professional development for diverse educational stakeholders
• Experience with high school accreditation measures, standards, and processes
• Experience creating, implementing, and managing performance measures and accountability systems
• Strong knowledge of data collection methodologies and tracking procedures to monitor program outcomes and drive continuous improvement
• Experience developing and maintaining productive relationships with college and university partners
• Knowledge of early college, dual credit, and concurrent enrollment models and implementation
• Demonstrated success in school improvement planning and implementation
• Self-motivated with demonstrated capacity for innovative thinking within a collaborative team structure
• Exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, teachers, staff, students, families, community members, and external partners
• Strong technical skills including proficiency with Adobe products, Microsoft Office suite, e-portfolio systems, and educational data platforms
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively within challenging time constraints and under pressure while maintaining high-quality standards
• Strong orientation toward urban school systems preferred

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Connecticut Intermediate Administrative Certification (092) is required, and Connecticut School Counselor Certification (068) is preferred.

UNION AFFILIATION: Hartford Principals' Supervisors' Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: This is a twelve-month position and the salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals' and Supervisors' Association 2026-2027 Schedule: Group 12: $149,609 - $162,873.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application. To apply, please visit https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford and follow the appropriate link. Internal candidates are advised to use their personal email when applying. Upon submission, candidates’ applications and supporting documents will be reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to next steps in the selection process.