Director of Technology

Professional Children’s School, founded in 1914, provides a rigorous college-preparatory program with flexibility and adaptability for professional and pre-professional students.  We serve Middle and Upper School students who come from multiple states and numerous foreign countries, and whose interests include dance, music, acting, modeling, athletics, art, and entrepreneurship.  Our students are serious about their academic studies while they pursue their professions outside of school. PCS is a “bring your own device” school and we utilize technology, including a learning management system, to support our students, particularly when their professions make it impossible to attend class. During the coronavirus pandemic during the past year, we began with a robust online program but have now pivoted to a hybrid program, allowing students to attend school and class in person or to remain online at the discretion of their parents and in line with the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and the New York City Department of Health. 

OVERVIEW/DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Director of Technology is a senior leadership position that reports directly to the Head of School, serves on the senior administrative team and is responsible for establishing and executing the vision and strategy for the overall operation and support of the network, telecommunications, server systems, enterprise applications, and instructional technology - hardware and software, for Professional Children’s School. This position will serve as the most senior voice that advocates for the use of technology in the academic space and the use of technology in the operations of the school. The Director will oversee the Academic Technology Support Specialist and Technology Support Specialist roles and make technology decisions in the planning, development, research, and management of infrastructure resources and instructional technology throughout the school. As a member of the senior administrative team, the Director will work with leadership to create strategic and project plans, establish budgets, and oversee the implementation of infrastructure-related projects and instructional technology projects that meet the needs of the school.

Overall, the Director of Technology is responsible for ensuring that information technology is properly planned for, implemented and effectively maintained to support and enhance student learning and business operations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Infrastructure Technology

• Oversees and manages the procurement, deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of all IT systems, including servers, wireless network, ethernet network and all related components, door access system, personal computing devices, classroom technology, telephones, software applications, and peripherals.

• Maintains the stability and security of computer networking in the school and access to internal resources.

• Ensures an adequate disaster recovery and business continuity plan is in place and properly executed.

Academic Tech/Instructional Technology

• Guides, coordinates, and provides support services related to instructional technology use and innovation, and the design, creation, and online delivery of instructional digital content/media.

Database Management

• Thorough understanding of the technical architecture of the FileMaker Pro database application.

• Ability to quickly and accurately troubleshoot database issues and apply effective solutions, especially related to end user issues.

Enterprise Applications

• Manages the monitoring, maintenance, upgrade and support of the school’s LMS, SIS, business office, and Website applications as well as all cloud and web services in use by the school’s operations.

Administration

• Develops standard operating procedures and best practices, including providing written protocols and guidance to IT staff and to end-users.

• Ensures the creation and maintenance of all written documentation, including system and user manuals, license agreements, and documentation of modifications and upgrades.

• Performs a multitude of other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as may be requested by the Head of School.

• Develops and manages the budget associated with technology services, infrastructure technology, user technology and instructional technology; forecasts and recommends additional funds needed for expenditures.

• Collaborates and negotiates with vendors to procure and improve the school’s products and services.

• Works with administrative and instructional leaders to identify and promote the use of  current and emerging technologies to support excellence in student learning and to improve services for all stakeholders and departments.

• Understands the role as a change agent and works to apply change management methodologies to foster, champion and execute change.

• Utilizes solid communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex technology topics to both technical and non-technical users.

• Manages IT staff of skilled employees to support the technology for the school, including hiring, training, evaluation, and guidance.

PCS is committed to a diverse, welcoming, affirming community for both our students and for our faculty and our professional staff; we are committed to such principles in our hiring and our employment practices.

It is the policy of Professional Children’s School to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, creed, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition, group identity, familial status, status as a victim of sexual abuse, stalking, or domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree in Education Technology field preferred but not required

• Bachelor’s Degree Required

• Database administration/management experience required

• 7+ years technology operations and instructional technology experience required

• 3+ years management experience required

• I.T. certifications highly desirable (Ex. Network+, CCNA, Security+, etc)

• Knowledge of network management best practices

• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws

• Knowledge of online learning best practices and tools

• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills 

• Experience with Apple ecosystem, Microsoft products, Google Workspace and Android OS/Chromebooks

• Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language

• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail 

• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Strong customer service orientation

• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment 

• Experience directing technology staff

• Experience delivering technology training

• Experience managing computer networks