DESCRIPTION: Incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for all necessary operations, management and policies of the Office of Public Charter School Financing and Support.   The specific duties are as follows: Responsible for contributing to and advising on District-wide policies associated with the acquisition of facilities and all facilities related issues for charter schools in the District of Columbia; Oversees the management of a multi-million dollar revolving fund including setting priorities for staff, policies for expenditure of funds, and the attainment of objectives and goals set by internal and external stakeholders.

This position provides expert policy and programmatic advice to high level officials in an extremely political environment regarding education, charter schools, and school facilities concerns, including the annual District appropriations of per student funding allocation and facilities allotments to charter schools in the local operating budget; the use and forecasting of federal revolving funds, including the Credit Enhancement and Direct Loan funds, in order to efficiently utilize and maximize funding; Local and federal policies affecting charter schools including accountability, quality, and facilities acquisition, often to affect necessary changes or enhancements to regulations, laws and guidelines; The process by which facility acquisition and proper placement can assist in the success of education as well as economic development for the city, including co-location models, innovation in facilities planning, and the implementation of programs such as the City Build grant model; General land use and planning for future population growth in terms of placement of facilities and operational success of charter schools across the city; Federal laws and appropriations language affecting education policy and funding for charter schools in the District; The manner in which policy issues such as teacher quality, accountability measures, alignment, and physical space affects the education of a child; Maintaining equity between charter school and public school assets, including as they relate to permanent assets such as land acquisition or facilities;  Assuring that the proper controls are affected to allow for permanency in public investment in long term education assets, and affecting a balance between government intervention for financial interest and the independence of charter schools as organizations.

Oversees the management of the incubator school projects supported by grant and appropriated funds. Ensures the project plan is carefully developed and implemented and approves all reporting on the program to the Mayor�s office, the US Department of Education and the United States Congress.  Acts as a liaison for charter schools, parents, the Public Charter School Board, DC Public Schools, and community members with DC Government agencies on issues affecting charter schools.  Acts as a liaison with other local agencies that affect the charter school facility process, including the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Health, DC Public Schools, and the Office of Property Management.  Interacts with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development on the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds for charter school use, as well as potential alternative financing options such as educational tax incentives for developers and the creation of revolving funding streams from private and development investment.  Understands and interprets complex regulations associated with financing and acquiring facilities in the district.  Assists other key stakeholders in long term planning for appropriate educational growth in the District, including the rising trend toward charter school enrollment.  Advises the State Education Officer on key issues related to school choice, charter school quality and accountability, charter school financing and support, potential impact of policies and programs, financial status of assets associated with the Office, etc.  Serves as primary liaison and staff support to the Mayoral-appointed Loan Committee in their role of approving credit enhancements and direct loans to charter schools and in considering and implementing additional policy or programmatic roles and responsibilities for the Loan Committee. Implements and is responsible for appropriate financial management of a wide range of fund types, including federal grants, federal appropriations and local District appropriations.  Oversees staff as appropriate in order to accomplish the core missions and service nature of the Office.

QUALIFICATIONS: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.  To be creditable, as least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.  Master's Degree Preferred.

The State Education Office (SEO) promotes learning for District residents of all ages by providing access to information, resources and services for a higher quality of life.