Program Associate I, Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Program Associate I, Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist                                      

Location: Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202             

Salary: $57,006 - $73,865 (annually)

Reports to: Senior Director, Student Information Services

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

In accordance with the agreement between the Organization of School Administrators (OSAS) and the Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education, the following vacancy is announced.

Position Summary:

The Data, Assessment, and Accountability (DAA) division ensures that the District maintains accurate, high quality and timely data analysis about how our students, staff, schools, and the District are performing. The DAA achieves this by effectively administering assessments; supporting the production and management of student data; building and maintaining the District’s data infrastructure/integration and ensuring District-level staff and leaders can access data on the most important student outcomes; and by conducting analysis and research to support the District’s measures of teacher and leader effectiveness.

The Student Information Services (SIS) department develops and implements the tools and procedures necessary to manage the District’s Student Information System, PowerSchool, and addresses the District’s SIS training, reporting, and strategic needs. The SIS department also collaborates with other departments to identify and capitalize on high-impact opportunities to support each other’s work, build out aligned processes and resources, and establish an organizational culture that fosters strategic, creative applications of data.

As a significant member of the DAA division and SIS department, the Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist ensures that the District produces accurate, complete, and high-quality pupil accounting data and reports through the Student Information System. The Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist will address data-quality gaps and develop systems that prevent future gaps, produce outstanding reports and analysis, and support the SIS needs of our staff and families. The Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist will have an opportunity to develop deep connections with staff to meet challenging goals and implement organizational data strategies around data-driven decision making through analyses and capacity building at schools. The Pupil Accounting and Reporting Specialist will lead support in and will focus on the following three areas:

• Pupil Accounting Systems: Developing pupil accounting systems and procedures and working with schools to implement those with fidelity,
• Student Data Reporting and Audits: Reporting data to external entities, including CEPI the and OEAA Secure Site, working with auditors to improve reporting and audit procedures and outcomes, and
• Data Strategy and People Development: Supporting school-based SIS specialists and developing cohort support systems to keep them trained and well informed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and provide evidence of a Bachelor’s, with preferred focus in computer science, business administration, or closely related field.
• We are looking for talented people who are passionate about transforming the District and making a significant difference in the lives of public-school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.
• Experience in pupil accounting principles, practices, and methods.
• Understanding of the requirements and timelines for student data submissions to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), and the U.S. department of Education.
• Experience managing a SIS/gradebook, or similar large-scale technical implementations.
• Experience leading change management processes that involve supporting and influencing the practices of school staff.
• Ability to balance multiple projects within a data driven accountability environment.
• Ability to explain technical processes to large audiences and small groups, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data from a variety of sources and use this knowledge to make recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or prior experience implementing PowerSchool/PowerTeacher Pro and Special Education and/or other SISs
• Reporting skills and proficiency in SQL, Excel, Pivot tables, and advanced Excel functions.
• Working knowledge of District and school-level business processes and student functionality related to SIS systems.
• Expertise and experience working in an urban public-school district is a plus.

Essential Functions:

1. Develop and manage high quality pupil accounting systems and procedures that ensure successful audits.
2. Work with auditors to strengthen internal reporting structures and navigate audit expectations and requirements.
3. Coordinate the timely and accurate reporting of state and federal data per published requirements and guidelines.
4. Ensure high quality data practices are implemented and followed by all staff who interact with the Student Information System.
5. Promote the innovative use of the student information system as a means of improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
6. Support the development, delivery, and maintenance of professional development, reference materials, support resources, and help desk services to ensure the effective use of the student information system by a wide range of stakeholders.
7. Develop and curate strong knowledge management systems to help improve district communication and accelerate continuous improvement.
8. Value, solicit, and integrate team members’ different perspectives effectively
9. Build effective relationships with manager, staff members and colleagues to implement District strategic plan.
10. Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Student Information Services.

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions? Concerns? contact the Civil Rights Coordinator at (313) 240-4377 or [email protected] or 3011 West Grand Boulevard, 14th Floor, Detroit MI 48202.