Manager of Special Projects - Phoenix Charter Academy

The Opportunity

The Phoenix Network is seeking a Coordinator of Special Projects who would serve in a key role in supporting the implementation of Phoenix’s Springfield-based initiatives. The person in this role would serve to support Testing, the Primary Person Model, and Special Education. The Coordinator of Special Projects will work closely with leadership team members. This position would require a Monday - Friday schedule, actual hours of work may vary.

Your Contribution

In addition to demonstrating the qualities of a Phoenix staff member, Coordinator Special of Projects will be responsible for the following:

Academic Projects and Programming Support

• The Coordinator of Academic Projects will lead the implementation of critical academic projects and priorities.

• Lead significant academic projects across the school, including but not limited to overseeing academic projects and supporting the implementation of special education, primary person, post secondary support, and testing.

• Partner with statewide staff as necessary on all statewide initiatives and systems, including but not limited to technology, talent, post-secondary success planning and development.

• Collaborate with the Head of School to manage the implementation of academic programming initiatives.

• Share communication as needed across schools and in collaboration with school-based leaders.

• Develop materials for professional development or additional statewide work for teachers, staff, and leaders.

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

School and Community Activities and Involvement

• Build strong, positive relationships with students, families, and Phoenix alumni.

• Execute school-based initiatives, projects and programs in collaboration with School Leadership.

• Provide excellent communication to all stakeholders, including but not limited to PCA staff and students.

What You’ll Bring:

• Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference.

• Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen the understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done.

• Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally.

• Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently and in a team environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Masters degree preferred

• 3+ years of experience in teaching, strategic initiatives, change management, and academic programming

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Employment is based on qualifications for the role as well as a successful background check

What You’ll Get

We want you to be the best you can so you’ll receive professional development, coaching, and the resources needed for you to succeed. An open, curious, and celebratory culture that embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice, and Equity working group. Competitive market comp, medical, dental, vision, mental health, and wellness plans, a 403b, and employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance.

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community that includes all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.

At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated support for historically marginalized groups.

At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.

At Phoenix we do not just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualities of Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering belief in our students - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.

• Continuous Improvement - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement.

• Eager to Learn - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**