The mission of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is to provide a safe haven, high-quality care and hope for the future to children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Since 1993, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter (NWACS) has cared for more than 8,500 children in crisis from throughout the state of Arkansas. As the largest emergency children’s shelter in the state, NWACS annually serves more than 500 children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Our 48-bed, state-of-the-art complex offers an array of trauma-informed services including onsite counseling and therapy, medical services, and a school. The combination of these features create a stable, secure and loving environment where children who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect can begin to heal.

OUR VALUES:
Compassion: Recognize and meet the needs of children with respect, sensitivity and unconditional love;
Excellence: Set the standard for high-quality service to children by performing above the expected; 
Integrity: Strive with our words and actions to be worth of the trust placed in us.

THE POSITION: 
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Director of Education Services leads the daily operations of the Children’s Shelter School and is responsible for providing instructional leadership, managing school staff, and developing and implementing trauma-informed policies, programs, and curriculum activities in a manner that promotes the educational development of each student. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Education Services serves as the liaison between the NWACS School and the Bentonville Public School system and ensures that all accreditation standards are met.

Key Responsibilities:

Living the Children’s Shelter Mission and Values

• Create an atmosphere for students that operationalizes our mission to provide the children we serve with a safe haven, high-quality care and hope for the future.
• Create an educational atmosphere which exemplifies our values of compassion, excellence and integrity.
• Ensure the Children’s Shelter mission and values drive student decisions. 
• Improving Teaching and Learning

• Engage staff in a shared vision for effective teaching and learning by implementing trauma-informed based curricula that are relevant to student needs and interest and incorporates research-based best practices.
• Lead a school culture and environment that successfully develops a full range of students’ learning capabilities – social-emotional, academic, creative, behavioral and physical.
• Conduct crucial conversations with teachers and case managers to develop educational goals per child that will enhance student learning.
• Build an environment that considers all aspects of wellness: nutrition, health, safety, decisions and choices, mental, as well as physical well-being.  
• Select and retain teachers that maximize student learning and support.
• Ensure professional learning for teachers that enhance student learning.
• Responsible for performance management of teachers and education staff.
• Promote use of technology that enhances student learning when appropriate.

• Managing Education Budget, Billing and Reporting

• Manage all aspects of student enrollment and discharge processes.
• Responsible for managing annual education budget and billing for Bentonville Public Schools and Title I.
• Responsible for regular academic reporting and analysis.

• Building and Maintaining Collaborative Relationships

• Create, develop and sustain relationships that result in active student engagement in the learning process.
• Utilize meaningful feedback from students, teachers, case manager, and other staff in the evaluation of school programming and in support of each child’s education goals.
• Responsible for facilitating and maintaining a healthy working relationship and partnership with Bentonville Public Schools.
• Develop relationships and provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers to engage with the children at school.
• Develop professional learning networks in the community to further engage the students. 
• Leading with Integrity and Professionalism

• Treat all people fairly and with dignity and respect. Protect the rights and confidentiality of students and staff.
• Demonstrate personal and professional standards and conduct that enhance the school and Children’s Shelter and the education profession.
• Maintains confidentiality and privacy regarding all residents' information in accordance with NWACS policy and all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations.
• Expand opportunities for all students to learn from and work with highly qualified and diverse staff and volunteers.

Education, Training and Experience:  

• Teaching certification and/or bachelor’s degree in education plus three years supervisory experience OR degree in Education Administration or equivalent. 
• Prefer advanced degree in education field.
• Demonstrated experience providing trauma-informed education or special education services.
• Prefer experience working with teens in an educational setting.
• Physical ability to use authorized techniques for management of aggressive behaviors.
• Prior experience implementing Conscious Discipline and TBRI a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  

• High-energy, self-starter with a passion for NWACS’s mission is essential.

• Exemplify NWACS’s values and uphold high professional and ethical standards.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail; ability to work in a high-paced environment and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Establish effective professional relationships with peers, support staff, volunteers, supervisors, and other professionals.
• Flexible and adaptive style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives.

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Physical stamina and agility required to care for young, active children.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicle for shelter business.
• Attend and participate in mandatory trainings, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Set, maintain and communicate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per NWACS procedures.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.  Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please attach a resume and cover letter which outlines your qualifications.