Executive Director Search

Are you passionate about public school education as the first choice for Alberta students?

If you are, you may be the person the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta is seeking to succeed its Executive Director, who will soon be retiring. In this role, you will work with the Executive Committee, the Public School Boards Council and staff to define a vision for PSBAA and guide it toward that future.

The PSBAA believes in servant leadership, and the Executive Director will be a servant leader.

Position Profile

The person selected for this position will be someone who:

advocates for public school education
understands and promotes the role of school trustees
speaks, writes and listens effectively
works collaboratively with others
is a lifelong learner
scans the environment to identify emerging political-educational issues
networks and builds relationships with other education and local government associations and government officials
is willing to travel within the province
provides assistance and support to trustees and boards to fulfill their roles

Job Requirements:

Post-secondary education or training (leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate)
Relevant experience that may include public service as an elected representative (local, provincial, or federal); public school education administration; service as a provincial government employee; or academic (post-secondary) teaching/research experience related to public school education.

Duties will begin August 1, 2010 or when mutually agreed upon.

For additional information about the position visit:
www.seaconsultingonline.com/PSBAA

Please apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and other relevant documents to:

SEA Consulting
nmscott@telus.net

Closing date: April 16, 2010.

Public School Boards Association of Alberta
Executive Director – Position Profile

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association. The Executive Director reports directly to the Executive Committee and is accountable to the Executive Committee for the conduct and operation of the Association. The Executive Director is ex officio a member of the Executive Committee, the Public School Boards Council and all committees of the Association.

In addition to specific areas of responsibility, the Executive Director will carry out such duties as may be reasonably assigned to him/her from time to time by the Executive Committee.

The Executive Director:

Communicates effectively

writes and speaks well
constructs clear, concise messages
is able to share information effectively with diverse audiences
understands and uses technology appropriately for communication purposes

Advocates for public school education

bases advocacy on an understanding of the Association’s role
is passionate about public school education and its connections to the local community
is able to influence decision makers
prepares others to advocate on behalf of public school education
understands what “public school education” means to the members of the Association (inclusive; model of a civil democratic community; grounded in the local community)

Listens effectively

listens to learn from others
is an active listener who asks questions to clarify and understand
is non-judgmental about people and personalities — separates people from issues
scans the environment to identify emerging political-educational issues — provincially, nationally, and globally
monitors what the provincial government is considering, planning, and doing
identifies ideas from other fields that can be adapted to public school education, and is constantly adapting

Provides leadership to the Association, staff and school boards

listens and responds to the needs of membership
responds to the direction set by the membership
accepts conflict and debate as part of the democratic process
works collaboratively with PSBAA Executive Committee, school boards and staff
recommends actions in response to current and emerging issues, needs and trends
works with others in goal-setting action planning
motivates and inspires others to act
ensures positive learning experiences, including recording, debriefing, and reflective learning

Learns continuously

will learn PSBAA’s history quickly and build upon it
is open to new ideas — able to explore possibilities
is able to assess and implement new ideas when appropriate
rethinks ideas and practices based on what is learned
looks at ideas from different perspectives (“thinks outside the box”)

Networks and builds relationships

builds relationships with trustees and school board officials
builds relationships with other education associations (ASBA, ATA, CASS, ACSTA, ASBOA, ASCA, etc.)
is able to forge relationships with politicians and bureaucrats
is able to relate to people from different backgrounds
demonstrates political savvy (understands the protocols and processes of the provincial government and is able to explain these to trustees)

Markets the PSBAA

demonstrates the value of PSBAA to members and non-members
prepares trustees and mentors them, to promote the value of the PSBAA

Manages effectively

is organized — exercises good personal time management and creates structure for the organization
delegates
demonstrates problem-solving skills
demonstrates decision-making skills
practices frugal fiscal management
exercises good human resources skills — motivates, sets goals, provides performance feedback
conducts effective meetings
prepares budgets and work plans for the Association
promotes continuous/life-long learning

Mentors trustees

understand the role of trustees
helps trustees understand issues and prepares trustees to speak to them
mentors trustees in their political role
provides information before trustees know they need it

Personal Traits

Personal integrity
Respectful of others
Honest
Strong work ethic
Flexible
Enthusiastic
Sense of humour
Personable, friendly
Goal-oriented
Adaptable, able to “go with the flow"