Executive Director of Technology

Eric Olender

Position Announcement:

Executive Director of Technology

The School

Pine Crest School is an independent, all-faith, co-educational day school serving approximately 2,600 students on two campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida. The Fort Lauderdale campus is composed of 1,750 students in grades PreK-12, while the Boca Raton campus is composed of 850 students in grades PreK-12.


Technology at Pine Crest School is an essential part of all academic and operational aspects of the school. Wireless connectivity for internet and network access is available across both campuses. Every member of our community is provided with a school owned digital device to enhance their opportunities for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration.


Our students are bright, curious and hard-working, and aspire to attend the best colleges and universities in the country. Our teachers and staff meet – and surpass – a high bar in terms of providing an academic experience that supports our students and their families to meet those goals and we rely heavily on technology to carry out our mission.

The Position

The Executive Director of Technology (EDT) is responsible for supervising the planning, implementation, maintenance, support and security of schoolwide technology, networks and applications, all of which is to support and enhance the delivery of our academic program. Technology is infused throughout our curriculum and school, with ipads and chromebooks pervasive in the elementary grades, and a 1-to-1 laptop program in grades 6-12. Every teacher uses a school-issued laptop and/or ipad, and each classroom has a Smart Board, as well as cameras, microphones and document cameras to assist with instruction. We also have numerous outdoor learning spaces equipped with large interactive screens as alternatives to the classroom. The Executive Director of Technology ensures that all technology users – teachers, staff, students and parents -- have access to support throughout the school day (and sometimes beyond).


The Executive Director of Technology will work closely with the Director of Technology Systems to ensure that hardware is up to date and functions well. In addition, the EDT will consult with the Director of Technology Systems and the Executive Director of Educational Design and Strategic Initiatives to vet, adopt and implement schoolwide software programs.


In addition, the EDT will supervise and evaluate a team that includes a Director of Technology Systems, Database Coordinator, Technology Specialists and a Laptop Repair department.

Duties and Responsibilities
Long-term planning and Vision

• Collaborate with the Director of Technology Systems and the Executive Director of Educational Design and Strategic Initiatives to develop a definition and vision of the role of technology at our school.

• Plan and implement a schoolwide program of local area networks, wide area networks, wireless networks and telecommunications.

• Plan and implement security procedures for computing hardware and data files.

• Consult with the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Facilities on building projects.

• Design and implement the technology strategic plan.

Supervision

• Meet with team members regularly to discuss departmental priorities.

• Coach team members with an eye to building capacity and assisting colleagues to reach their full potential.

• Ensure that a “customer service” mentality is maintained by all members of the department.

Support the Academic Program

• Collaborate with the academic divisions and Executive Director of Educational Design and Strategic Initiatives regarding the purchase and use of technology associated with instruction.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Educational Design and Strategic Initiatives to review the selection, purchase and installation of all software onto students’ and teachers’ computers.

• Be available to division and department administrators for guidance related to technology matters.

• Convey a “user-friendly” attitude in dealing with students, parents, teachers, and all school personnel.

• Participate in assigned obligations outside of school and/or beyond the school day in support of the academic program of the school (e.g. laptop transition nights, seminars, and meetings).

Management

• Oversee the Blackbaud integration process; similarly, assist with the Classlink implementation process.

• Design and implement technology policies, procedures and standards.

• Supervise all network services, including wireless systems, VoIP, Internet access, and the connection between campuses.

• Ensure network and data security.

• Liaise with vendors, other outside companies, and agencies as they relate to the responsibilities of this position.

• Promote communication with the Technology Department, across both campuses; promote communication with all departments of the School.

• Consult with the Security Team as needed on the security video system and access control system.

Financial Oversight

• Develop and administer the technology budget; monitor budget compliance and cost containment.

• Approve expenditures and establish long-term funding commitments.

Qualities

We are looking for an Executive Director of Technology familiar with the rewards and challenges of working in an educational environment, displaying qualities such as:

• Able to respond quickly to requests of colleagues, as they often have students who may be negatively impacted by an interruption in technology services; able to adjust priorities as needed.

• Warm, approachable, patient manner – reflecting the qualities of our teachers.

• Unflappable nature; cool under pressure.

• An upbeat, positive outlook, as well as a sense of humor.

• Able to take a macro as well as a micro view of technology in an educational environment; someone who can “dream big” along with colleagues in the academic division as to what technology could be at our school.

Requirements

• B.A. or B.S. in Computer Science, Technology or a related field

• 5+ years’ experience

• Experience with Blackbaud or similar SIS, Schoology or similar LMS


The following qualities are preferred but not required:

• 5+ years’ experience working in a PreK-12 school

• M.A. or M.S. in Computer Science, Technology or a related field

• Experience with Senior Systems, G Suite, Windows and Mac OS, Classlink, relational databases

• Project management experience

Application Process

If interested in applying for this position, please put “Executive Director of Technology” in the subject line and submit the following material by email to anita.tychsen@pinecrest.edu:

• Cover letter indicating your interest and highlighting aspects of your background that qualify you for the position

• 2-page resume

• Contact information (email address and phone number) for at least three supervisors over the past seven years

Ideal start date: By August 2, 2021


EOE/DFW
Pine Crest School 1501 NE 62nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 www.pinecrest.edu