FirstLine Schools: DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Creating and inspiring great open admissions public schools in New Orleans

About FirstLine Schools

In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates four K-8th grade schools and a high school. Our mission is to create and inspire great open admissions public schools in New Orleans. We do this by:

• Ensuring college and career readiness for all students, as demonstrated by achievement, aspiration, love of learning, and confidence
• Providing a rich variety of education experiences to nurture our students' character, health, and active citizenship
• Developing the skillfulness of our team members
• Building a sustainable organization that facilitates our long-term success

Our faculty is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students' success and to their own growth as teachers. Our schools are led by leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development.

Position Summary

The Director of Information Systems is responsible for the management of Information Systems at FirstLine Schools Inc., under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer.

The key responsibilities of the Director of Information Systems are:

• Management of information systems:
  • External reporting and internal dashboards
  • System optimization, reporting and analyses for:
    • Student information systems
    • Student assessment systems
    • Performance management systems
    • Staff information systems
    • Financial management and payroll systems
• Information system data integrity and risk mitigation
• Information systems project management (new system implementation)
• Information systems contract performance, quality control, and client relationships
• Support procedures for collecting, analyzing and acting upon system information
• Team management

Position Responsibilities:

Management of Information Systems

• Manages all database systems used by FirstLine Schools currently consisting of state compliance reporting systems (LEADS, eGMS, etc.), SchoolRunner, PowerSchool, Transfinder, MCS (School Lunch Nutrition Planning Software), Whetstone (Performance management), Financial Systems (Blackbaud, Payroll, HRIS, Coupa, etc.), MAP, Blended Learning Programs, STEP, Student and Staff survey systems

• Supervises and supports the analyses of data from information systems to identify strengths, weaknesses and trends for the network as a whole, its schools and the individual operating units (dashboards, scorecards, etc.)
• Collaborates with stakeholders to improve their processes, operations and use of actionable data
• Manages and develops dashboards in collaboration with stakeholders that can be used as planning and communications tools
• Manages the optimization of existing systems and the process for training users in the use of systems
• Manages the process for updating and applying patches for systems as they are made available from the vendor
• Manages GoogleApps infrastructure, setup, configuration (sites, drive, groups)

Information System Data Integrity and Risk Mitigation

• Supports the COO as liaison to legal counsel regarding claims made against FirstLine relating to allegations of breaches in the security of confidential data
• Acts as designated school management official responsible for ensuring systems are audited and are complaint with federal, state and local data security requirements
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting any legal changes or matters of concern regarding data security to the CEO and COO
• Supports schools with identification of areas of risk and implementation of mitigation plans
• Provides training to schools on data security (FERPA, etc.)

Information systems project management (new system implementation)

• Creates and executes information systems project work plans, revising as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements, and manages day-to-day as necessary
• Reviews deliverables prepared by team members before passing to external partners
• Effectively applies project management methodology and enforces project standards
• Prepares for reviews and quality assurance procedures
• Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately
• Supports the schools in their planning for annual information processing cycles and long-term needs

Information systems contract performance, quality control, and client relationships

Maintains and ensures contract compliance with all contracts that the Board or management have entered into

• Works closely with contract partner assigned personnel to monitor and enhance delivery of all systems/products/services and ensure compliance with their management contracts
• Develops and supervises the performance plans for existing contracts
• Supervises and develops requests for proposals as necessary when the CMO contemplates new contractual arrangements or is negotiating the renewal of an existing arrangement

Support systems for collecting, analyzing and acting upon system information

• Oversees and monitors school and network process for collecting, recording, and auditing data
• Assures scorecards and dashboards are completed, maintained, updated, reviewed, and acted upon as necessary
• Supports the training for school and network based staff in the collection, recording and analyzing of data
• Communicates the information needs and new initiatives coming to confirm proper readiness; and researches best hardware solutions with IT team
• Observes and identifies issues that could be solved/improved by a technological solution; present ideas to leaders

Team Management

• Identifies resources needed and assigns individual responsibilities
• Creates a strong sense of team to drive continuous improvement and efficient coordination of activities
• Performances manage all members of the data team
• Develops and implements annual professional development plan for data team members

Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• M.B.A./M.S./M.A./M.Ed. or equivalent preferred
• At least 5 years of information systems or data management experience required, experience in schools preferred
• At least 3 years of direct team management required
• Highly proficient with PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Google Apps for education and electronic communications

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for building a strong, mission-driven

organization

• Exhibit a strong sense of personal responsibility and a growth mindset
• Proficient in using data in the decision-making process
• Experience at data systems design and continuous improvement
• Experience working collaboratively with a range of colleagues
• Experience managing multiple workstreams in a fast-moving environment
• Experience working in an environment characterized by on-going innovation and continuous improvement
• Experience managing and developing a team of people
• A record of results and service orientation
• Love of influencing without authority

Desired Qualities & Characteristics :

• Believe in every student's ability to achieve in a rigorous college or career prep curriculum
• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations
• Take personal responsibility
• Highly detail-oriented
• Collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Model the FirstLine values of Service, Learning, Collaboration and Results

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear.
• Light lifting of equipment may be required (up to 20 lbs.)

Reports to: COO

How to Apply: Please apply online via: http://www.firstlineschools.org/careers

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. FirstLine Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package with a generous 403b plan.

FirstLine Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.