Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services (C139-2627)

POSITION : Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming, Office of Student Support Services

REPORTS TO : Executive Director of Student Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY : The Director of Post-Secondary Success and Alternative Programming will establish and sustain a college-going and career-readiness culture throughout Hartford Public Schools, aligning with and supporting the district's strategic priorities. This leader will ensure all students are on track for post-secondary success by:

Coordinating programmatic elements of alternative program offerings across the district

Creating models that support the implementation of the district's high school graduation policy

Developing robust internship opportunities

Implementing comprehensive student success plans

Improving cohort graduation rates

The Director will set and monitor performance and program standards for school counselors, college and career specialists, and other secondary staff and specialists in Hartford Public Schools. Using these standards, the Director will support principals by participating in the evaluation process for identified specialists.

The scope of work includes monitoring, analyzing, communicating, and proactively responding to district and school-level data regarding:

Student on-track status

Promotion and graduation rates

Post-secondary entrance assessment results

Transition planning effectiveness

This position plays a critical role in ensuring equity in post-secondary opportunities and success for all Hartford Public Schools students.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE :

Student-Centered Leadership Support: Prioritize supporting building leaders in developing student engagement initiatives that elevate student voice through activities such as student-led conferences and intentional transition support from grades 5 to 6, 8 to 9, and 12 to college/career.

Graduation Success Strategies: Facilitate district-wide strategies across traditional and alternative high schools to increase graduation rates for all students. Provide programmatic alignment, oversight, and professional learning to staff in partnership with principals/directors of alternative schooling and personalized pathway options.

Professional Development: Establish and coordinate comprehensive training and development programs for administrators, school counselors, and specialists aligned with post-secondary success goals. Facilitate and lead professional learning for principals, school counselors, college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators related to implementing the HPS College and Career Framework and related district priorities.

Community Partnerships: Collaborate with the Office of Teaching and Learning to develop and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, colleges, and universities that expand post-secondary opportunities for students.

College & Career Culture: Develop and implement district-wide PK-12 rituals and routines that promote and celebrate a college-going and career-readiness culture aligned with the portrait of an HPS graduate.

Performance Management: Establish clear program and performance expectations for college career specialists’ positions and related programming consistent with the district's theory of action. Co-evaluate college career specialists, secondary staff, secondary specialists, and internship coordinators in areas related to guidance, college access, capstone project designs, student e-portfolios, and high school accreditation.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Instruction and Student Support Services

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE :

Advanced graduate degree in education, educational leadership, or related field

Minimum of five (5) successful years of experience in education

Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, evaluation, and performance management

Proven track record designing and delivering effective professional development for diverse educational stakeholders

Experience with high school accreditation measures, standards, and processes

Experience creating, implementing, and managing performance measures and accountability systems

Strong knowledge of data collection methodologies and tracking procedures to monitor program outcomes and drive continuous improvement

Experience developing and maintaining productive relationships with college and university partners

Knowledge of early college, dual credit, and concurrent enrollment models and implementation

Demonstrated success in school improvement planning and implementation

Self-motivated with demonstrated capacity for innovative thinking within a collaborative team structure

Exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, teachers, staff, students, families, community members, and external partners

Strong technical skills including proficiency with Adobe products, Microsoft Office suite, e-portfolio systems, and educational data platforms

Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills

Ability to work effectively within challenging time constraints and under pressure while maintaining high-quality standards

Strong orientation toward urban school systems preferred

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED : Connecticut Intermediate Administrative Certification (092) is required, and Connecticut School Counselor Certification (068) is preferred.

UNION AFFILIATION : Hartford Principals' Supervisors' Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : This is a twelve-month position and the salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals' and Supervisors' Association 2026-2027 Schedule: Group 12: $149,609 - $162,873.

APPLICATION PROCESS : To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application. To apply, please visit https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford and follow the appropriate link. Internal candidates are advised to use their personal email when applying. Upon submission, candidates’ applications and supporting documents will be reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to next steps in the selection process.

We Value Our Staff…And It Shows

Hartford Public Schools is seeking excellent candidates and wants to provide the best experience for you.

We have put together a comprehensive package of benefits and incentives.

Financial Incentives

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $3,000 annually

Residency Differential : 3% of base salary for certified administrators (HPSA members) living in Hartford

Differential for Doctorate in Education : $2,500 annually

Additional Benefits

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance

Board contribution of 50% of the applicable Health Savings Account (HSA) deductible

5 Personal days per year; 20 Sick days per year

Life insurance (2x annual salary)

Loan forgiveness (State & Federal)

Professional learning

Career growth opportunities

Join HPS & REPRESENT

Hartford Public Schools (Hartford, Connecticut) is a diverse community of educators and approximately 16,000 students attending 39 distinctive magnet, community, and neighborhood schools located in Connecticut's capital city. Our values are excellence, equity, inclusiveness, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to provide all students with the learning and support needed to succeed in school and life, and our shared vision is that all students will graduate prepared to transform our world.

"Set the bar. Meet the bar. Exceed the bar. Raise the bar!" is the motto of Hartford Public Schools' Superintendent and CEO, Andraé Townsel. We are committed to continuous improvement, knowing that consistent growth toward abundant academic proficiency and excellence will raise the bar for our students in Hartford.

HPS has career opportunities of all kinds in all of our schools. Come represent your community, your culture, and what's possible for our amazing students. When you work here, it's not just about making a living—it's about making a difference. And you don't just earn a paycheck—you earn lifelong respect.

Hartford is The Place to Be

The state of Connecticut is located on the northeastern seaboard. Hartford is within an hour's drive of the coastline and is centrally located between New York City and Boston. Hartford is one of America's oldest and most historic cities, made up of 17 unique neighborhoods rich in history and diversity. It is commonly known as the "insurance capital" due to its prominence beginning in the 19th century as home to many of the nation's most prestigious insurance companies, many of which still call Hartford home today. The city features world-class museums, entertainment, and sports venues and is home to several major companies. An array of restaurants reflecting cuisines from around the world attracts people from far and wide, and more than 200 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in the Hartford region provide hundreds of events year-round. In addition, several universities and colleges are located in Hartford and the surrounding towns, offering easy access to advanced degree programs.

Want to learn more about opportunities in HPS? Join one of our monthly virtual information sessions .

Position Subject to Available Funding

An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/V/D