Exam School/Selective Admissions Project Manager

Overview

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) serve approximately 50,000 students through a diverse portfolio of schools and programs. This portfolio includes the three examination schools: Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and the O'Bryant School of Math and Science, and a number of other selective admission schools, which include Horace Mann Charter and Pilot schools. Admission to the three exam schools is based on a student's grade point average and performance on an entrance exam, and invitations are distributed according to socioeconomic tiers in Boston. The policy was designed through a community process to increase the geographic, socioeconomic, and racial diversity of the three exam schools. Admissions to Horace Mann Charters and Pilot Schools are in accordance with the school's bylaws, charter, or agreement with the district.

BPS is seeking a project manager to facilitate the implementation of the exam school admissions policy and support schools'' selective-admission assignment process. This person will be responsible for developing effective outreach and communication strategies for families regarding exam school registration and the admissions process. They will also work with schools to ensure school-based staff are appropriately trained to administer the exam and to help facilitate a smooth experience on test day. They will organize and support weekend testing for non-BPS applicants and will support in-school testing of BPS students.

This position will coordinate operational efforts across the Office of Welcome Services, the Office of Data and Accountability, the Office of Informational and Instructional Technology, and the individual schools. The Project Manager will also support work with external partners responsible for validating data and processes.

The Selective Admissions Project Manager will receive primary supervision from the Director of Student Assignment and Selective Admissions. The Project Manager will work with the registration and assignment teams to ensure all students are properly registered and receive any required accommodations. Additionally, they will receive ongoing support from Data and Accountability regarding testing security and analytical tasks. The successful candidate will possess strong collaboration skills, as the position requires significant cross-departmental work with central department offices, including Welcome Services, Technology, Data and Accountability, Communications, and Academics, as well as with individual schools and families. The successful candidate will also be flexible and adaptive; be willing to play a variety of roles to ensure team success; and be rooted in a personal commitment to equity, particularly racial equity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the overall project manager for all activities related to exam school admissions, including convening a cross-functional team regularly to ensure the project is on track
• Oversee communications to school staff and families regarding all steps of the exam school application process.
• Coordinate all logistics related to testing for non-BPS students for the exam school invitation process, including but not limited to securing the testing location(s), identifying testing proctors, training testing proctors, and registering students to take the exam.
• Liaise with the Office of Data and Accountability on school-based testing for BPS students and support necessary logistics to ensure a secure testing environment, including convening training sessions and regularly communicating with school-based testing coordinators at all schools where testing will be offered.
• Manage relationships with testing vendor(s) for exam school admissions.
• Support the registration process for selective admission schools, including exam schools.
• Manage assignment notifications
• Ensure all steps of the admissions process are followed, and liaise with a third party to provide oversight as requested.
• Recommend innovation in processes to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the policy, including but not limited to the application process for families, test administration, grade collection, and invitation distribution.
• Develop, track, and maintain benchmarks to measure the success of school-based testing for Exam school invitation purposes.
• Design and implement detailed protocols and processes to ensure schools maintain a secure, proper testing environment.
• Analyze data related to exam school admissions and exam school performance as requested.
• Manage the budget related to the exam school admissions processes
• Managing future RFP and bid processes for exam school admissions testing.
• Ensure all School Committee policies are adhered to and updated as needed
• Coordinate information sessions for Boston families to ensure they understand the process for exam school admissions
• Provide feedback and support in developing and implementing policies
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications - Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, which may include, but is not limited to, Business or Project Management, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Planning.
• Minimum three years of relevant work experience with project management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, summarize, and present findings to decision-makers
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines independently
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and independently
• Exemplary use of MS Office and the Google Suite, specifically Excel and Google Spreadsheets
• Attention to detail and consistent focus on quality

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Experience working in urban school districts
• Experience with data analysis
• Second Language Proficiency
• Master's Degree
• Familiarity with Aspen (Boston's Student Information System)

TERMS: Managerial, Tier C. Occasional work on evenings and weekends. This position is subject to the City of Boston residency requirement.

Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for more information on salary and compensation. Unions and Grade/Step list salaries.

NOTE: School-based managerial employees will work 223 days between July 1st and June 30th each year. The 223-day work-year will include the 180 days in which school is in session, and the employee and the principal or headmaster of the school will determine the additional days. This position is subject to the City of Boston residency requirement. School-based managerial employees are not eligible for vacation time or compensatory time. In the event of school cancellation due to snow or inclement weather, school-based managerial employees need not report to work.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities based on race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.