Primary Purpose:

Provide leadership, coordination, and oversight for the district’s advanced academic programs and counseling programs, including Gifted/Talented, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Early College High School, OnRamps, and other college and career readiness initiatives. Provide district-level support to counselors across the district to ensure exceptional services at all levels, and support district graduation rate oversight. Ensure equitable student access, program compliance, curriculum alignment, graduation rate, and postsecondary readiness opportunities that support district goals and student achievement.

Qualifications:

• 3 years teaching experience (required)
• Valid Texas Counseling Certificate (required)
• Masters Degree (required)
• 5 years counseling and/or administrative experience in Texas Public Schools (can be combined to equal 5 years)
• Administrative Experience (preferred)

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to organize and coordinate programs across campuses
• Knowledge of strategies and materials for advanced academic programs and post-secondary programs
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and present at district and campus training
• Knowledge of robust, future-ready gifted and talented programs
• Knowledge of school counseling and graduation  processes and procedures
• Ability to take initiative and follow-through
• Ability to contribute positively and work as part of a team

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Instructional and Advanced Academics Program Management

1. Directs and assists facilitators with managing programs and services to meet student needs.
2. Ensures that student progress is evaluated and/or communicated on a systematic basis and that findings are used for improvement.
3. Ensures program models are equitable and accessible to all populations of students.
4. Plans the time, resources, and materials to support staff.
5. Ensures curriculum development and renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs and state mandates.
6. Lead and oversee the course and program development process for all Advanced Academic/Gifted and Talented Services programs
7. Oversee, in conjunction with campus and district staff, the academic programs that are aligned vertically and horizontally with the vision and goals of the district.
8. Coordinate the development, revision and alignment of the advanced academic curriculum so that students and families are provided support in planning and preparing for college readiness in order to increase the percentage of students meeting college readiness standards.
9. Assists teachers in meeting the advanced academic needs of students and provides strong instructional leadership for PSAT/SAT/ACT exams, Honors and AP (Advanced Placement) courses, Dual Credit courses, and other advanced academic courses.
10. Provide assistance with identification and monitoring for the Gifted/Talented program on all campuses.
11. Meet with students and their families to provide academic programming and graduation requirement information.
12. Collaborate and coordinate with campus counselors regarding post-secondary opportunities for students and needs of Gifted/Talented students.
13. Collaborate with area colleges and universities in providing dual credit coursework.
14. Serve as district liaison with Blinn College for the Royal ECHS Program; oversee ECHS at the district-level. Ensure ECHS program runs consistently and in a way that supports high levels of student achievement and completion of college credit and college degree.
15. Collaborate with district Gifted/Talented campus coordinators to ensure appropriate programming and services are provided to identified gifted and talented students.
16. Facilitate the establishment of programs to increase enrollment in advanced courses especially for the at-risk population
17. Act in an advisory capacity to counselors, principals, and teachers in the areas of advanced academics and gifted/talented.
18. Effectively communicate district policy and guidelines to administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff.
19. Work in collaboration with the high school principal and ECHS campus team to maintain and improve the services offered through the Early College High School. 
20. Collaborate with principals and directors regarding master schedules at the high school.
21. Research programs and provides analysis of such programs to determine possible implementation in the district.
22. Maintains website compliance as required by the Early College High School Blueprint.
23. Submit the Early College High School application for designation annually in collaboration with high school leadership. 
24. Oversees district (elementary through high school) academic UIL participation in conjunction with campus academic UIL coordinators. Ensure all campuses participate in UIL, it is planned and communicated in a way that allows students to be prepared and successful.
25. Tracks students’ CCMR data as related to Advanced Academics: TSI, SAT, ACT, College Prep courses, AP exams, Dual Credit hours & courses, Associate Degrees, and OnRamps enrollment.Collaborate with Director of CTE & CCMR and report advanced academics data to Director of CTE & CCMR.
26. Explore robust Gifted and Talented programs K-8; build a program that provides project based/future-ready GT learning experiences to students identified through the gifted and talented program. Recommend and implement a plan to transform this program. Lead  the efforts of developing this program to provide extension activities to GT students and full district implementation to ensure high levels of learning for GT students.

Program Monitoring

1. Directs and organizes services from all units involved in the programs requiring special compliance.
2. Organizes timelines required by law for all units involved.
3. Oversees Gifted/Talented 30-hour certificate and 6-hour Gifted/Talented update compliance and records.
4. Manage the compliance requirements as set forth by OnRamps.
5. Manage the compliance requirements as set forth in the Early College High School Blueprint.
6. Work collaboratively with Blinn College to ensure dual credit opportunities are appropriate for student achievement 
7. Compile, analyze and interpret data, including student test data, to identify trends and areas for improvement.  Ensure that campus instructional staff receive timely data in a clear and usable format to enable them to effectively develop student learning and growth.

Counseling Oversight

1. Provide district-level support to counselors across all campuses; meet monthly with counselors to provide support and build capacity.
2. Ensure counseling programs meet all state and local requirements.
3. Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive school counseling services aligned with district goals.
4. Support graduation rate at the high school level; ensure the district meets the goal of 100% graduation rate.
5. Provide direct support, coaching, and consultation to the high school campus ongoing and throughout the year to improve graduation rate.
6. Ensure accurate and timely submission of required state and local reports for counseling and other services.
7. Conduct district level meetings related to parent engagement, support, of counseling, graduation, credit recovery, etc. to support high levels of student success and graduation in RISD.

Reports

1. Administers the Advanced Academics budget and ensures all activities are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
2. Compile budgets and cost estimates on program needs assessments.
3. Maintains a current inventory and recommends replacement and disposal of materials and equipment.
4. Submit all state/federal and local reports as required; 

Policy, Reports and Law

1. Recommends and writes policies to improve services.
2. Supports the goals and objectives of the District.
3. Adheres to state and district standards, policies, regulations, and procedures.
4. Commits to current professional standards of competence and practice.
5. Promotes and follows ethical standards for school counselors, including confidentiality.
6. Commits to professional development.

Other 

1. Perform other duties as assigned
2. Supervise employees, as assigned

Mental Demands, Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment

Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment

Environment: Work inside, work outside; regular exposure to noise

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours

Salary : $83,022 - $118,244