Director, Autonomy and Innovation

DESCRIPTION:

Office of the Chief Strategy Officer

Equitable School Performance Office (ESPO)

DIRECTOR, AUTONOMY AND INNOVATION

45G (School Support Administrator, 0515)

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, Equitable School Performance, the Director, Autonomy and Innovation will be responsible for leading the implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of the program alignment strategies to ensure improved student achievement in schools.  The director provides direct support to principals in implementing innovative, research-based practices, and ensuring that all students are college and career ready. The director will work with school leaders, staff, parents, and community partners in designated schools to integrate initiatives, provide resources and communication, and ensure effective implementation of transformation strategies to achieve the District’s goals as outlined in the Strategic Plan.

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads collaborative oversight with the Charter Schools Division to guide schools through the development and submission of new affiliated charter petitions, conversions, and start-up proposals, ensuring alignment with District priorities and compliance requirements
• Oversees compliance systems for affiliated charter schools to ensure adherence to the Federal, State, and District Required Language (FSDRL) and related legal mandates, while providing technical guidance and capacity-building for school leaders
• Provides fiscal oversight and accountability systems to ensure that schools maintain compliance with District budgeting guidelines while exercising fiscal autonomy responsibly
• Directs, trains, and supports schools in professional development initiatives that build leader and staff capacity to effectively utilize instructional, and curriculum autonomies in alignment with District equity and innovation goals
• Collaborates with the Budget Division team to develop and provide fiscal training and guidance to affiliated charter schools in the use of specialized funding sources
• Collaborates with the Strategic Initiatives team to provide training,  guidance, and professional learning to affiliated charter leaders  in developing, aligning, and implementing Local Control and Accountability Plans with Targeted Student Population (TSP) Plans, ensuring coherence with District strategic vision
• Leads and monitors districtwide efforts to improve learning outcomes across affiliated charter schools, using data-driven strategies to enhance achievement for all students and targeted subgroups
• Establishes systems and framework at affiliated charter schools to expanded learning opportunities, prioritizing high impact, innovative models for all pupils  including pupils who are identified as academically low achieving

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (CONTINUED):

• Develops systems and protocols to operationalize training and support for affiliated charter school  enrollment, staffing autonomy and requirements
• Provides oversight and guidance to ensure proactive compliance with the requirements of the Crawford desegregation court order and ensures racial integration is a systemic priority of the autonomy model
• Develops an integrated stakeholder engagement model to expand and promote access to educational opportunities and innovative school models
• Develops and implements performance based accountability system to ensure schools meet measurable pupil outcomes, uses data analysis to monitor progress toward measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement
• Monitors and oversees the system to collect, vet, and scale deployment of evidence-based promising practices throughout the District
• Directs training and professional development on the use of innovative teaching methods
• Provides support and guidance to schools that earn autonomy and flexibilities under the District’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• Supervises and facilitates development opportunities related to activating and the effective use of school flexibilities
• Performs other duties as assigned

SALARY:

Salary: 45G, (School Support Administrator, 0515) – A Basis ($157,448 – $196,350) – 261 paid days

• In the case of an annualized employee who is changing basis during the year, this change may result in an annualized “settlement” (i.e., the process by which the District resolves an under or overpayment).
• For employees who change basis during the school year, this basis change may prevent them from earning a full year of service credit.
• Selected individual may be subject to displacement due to norm allocation and seniority-based RIF provisions or due to budget limitations.
• This position is deemed certificated under Education Code Section 44065, but may not qualify for "creditable service" under Education Code Section 22119.5 for CalSTRS benefits.  However, if the candidate chosen for the position is already a CalSTRS member, he/she can fill out an election form to remain in CalSTRS and thereby obtain CalSTRS credit for this service.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• At least eight (8) years of successful, full-time public school service in a certificated position(s), with no fewer than two (2) years of which must have been in a position(s) requiring the Administrative Services Credential

• At least five (5) years of successful full-time Pre-K – 12 public school teaching experience
• A valid California Administrative Services Credential
• An earned master’s degree or advanced degree of at least equivalent standard conferred by a regionally-accredited college or university
• Completion of required Multicultural Education and Master Plan coursework*

*Applicants have one year to complete this requirement.

NOTE: ALL minimum requirements must be met on or before the filing deadline.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that appropriate documentation is on file with Human Resources.  For additional information, please call (213) 241-6886.

Employees who have been issued a below standard Performance Evaluation, or Notice of Unsatisfactory Act(s) and/or Suspension shall be ineligible for application to any promotion process for one calendar year following the issuance of such a Notice.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least three years of successful experience as a school principal
• Knowledge of affiliated charter school district, state, and federal compliance
• Knowledge of District policies and procedures, goals and objectives, organizational structure and functions, and negotiated contracts
• Knowledge of effective administrative and managerial practices and the ability to implement them
• Knowledge of federal, state and local policies, rules, laws, regulations and legislation pertaining to charter schools
• Knowledge of the fundamental principles and accepted practices, current trends, literature, and research in the field(s) of charter schools
• Knowledge of staff development and in-service resources and the ability to implement them
• Knowledge of special education curriculum, District instructional objective and best instructional methods, and strategies
• Leadership skill in facilitating group processes, including consensus building and conflict resolution

DESIRABLE/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS (CONTINUED):

• Commitment to standards of assessment and accountability as specified in the District-wide reform movement
• Appropriate interpersonal style and methods to guide individuals and groups toward task accomplishment
• Ability to observe, evaluate, and utilize subordinates effectively
• Ability to maintain working relationships with administrators at participating schools and region offices
• Ability and integrity in dealing with confidential matters
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, linguistic, and disability groups
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, supervisors, peers, teachers, other District personnel, parents, community and union representatives, and other stakeholders, both individually and as a group
• Ability to compose and comprehend written communicatioN
• Ability to travel to other sites/locations

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To be considered for this position, qualified applicants must submit the following application materials:

1. Letter of intent that describes qualifications for this position and successful experience in the following areas:

• Building the capacity of managerial and professional-level staff through supervision, coaching, and evaluation
• Leading data analyses and monitoring to evaluate, design strategies, and improve programs, processes, and services for all students
• Coordinating collaboration with administrators, staff, and external agencies to develop large scale initiatives to address and support the well-being of students, families, and/or school communities.

2. Current résumé (include employee number, if an LAUSD employee) that outlines qualifications for the position
3. Upload, as a separate attachment, a list of three references that includes the current, immediate supervisor, and next most recent supervisors with their contact information.  References will be verified for all applicants who are finalists for the position.

Applicants are advised that meeting the stated minimum requirements does not ensure an invitation to an interview.

FOR INFORMATION ONLY, PLEASE CONTACT:

Helen Yu, Administrator of Instruction

Equitable School Performance Office

helen.yu@lausd.net

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 3, 2025

The Los Angeles Unified School District intends that all qualified persons shall have equal opportunities for employment and promotion.

Non-Discrimination Policy