Chief Academic Officer ($125,000-$135,000) (2027-2028 School Year)

Chief Academic Officer ($125,000-$135,000) (2027-2028 School Year) JobID: 2500

• Position Type:

Administration

• Date Posted:

11/2/2026

• Location:

District

• Date Available:

07/01/2027

• Closing Date:

12/11/2026

TITLE: Chief Academic Officer

DEPARTMENT: District Administration

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Superintendent and District Leadership

BASIC FUNCTION (BF1): The Chief Academic Officer shall provide district-level leadership, vision, coordination, and support for curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology integration, professional learning, and student achievement across the PreK-12 system. The Chief shall lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of a coherent instructional program aligned with the district's mission, vision, strategic priorities, and Portrait of a Trojan.

The Chief Academic Officer shall collaborate with the Superintendent, district leadership, building administrators, instructional coaches, teachers, students, families, and community partners to strengthen teaching and learning and improve student outcomes. This position requires continuous use of independent judgment, professional expertise, data analysis, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in support of districtwide instructional improvement.

SKILLS AND JOB FUNCTIONS (For all Fairfield Community Schools Positions SJF1-10):

For all Fairfield Community School District positions

Skills:

• Embraces and exhibits characteristics outlined in the Fairfield CSD Portrait of a Trojan.

• Exhibits dedication to the district's mission and vision, actively promoting its values.

• Demonstrated ability to be adaptable and respond productively to setbacks.

• Exhibits discipline and flexibility with an ability to embrace diverse perspectives.

• Prioritizes active listening as a foundation for understanding others' perspectives, values, and attitudes.

• Exhibits ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

• Demonstrates disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.

• Exhibits critical-thinking skills and problem-solving ability.

• Exhibits commitment to collaborating with others.

• Demonstrates awareness, sensitivity, concern, and respect to connect with others' feelings, opinions, experiences, and culture.

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS (HS1-23):

• Provide district-level leadership and vision for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student achievement.

• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of a coherent PreK-12 instructional program.

• Support instructional coaches in developing strong instructional leadership practices and improving teaching and learning.

• Oversee district curriculum development, alignment, implementation, technology integration, and evaluation.

• Lead the development and implementation of district assessment systems, including common formative assessments and other measures of student learning.

• Analyze student achievement and growth data and use findings to identify priorities, monitor progress, and improve instructional outcomes.

• Lead and support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs), and other structures designed to improve collective teacher efficacy and student learning.

• Develop, coordinate, and evaluate district professional learning aligned with district goals, student needs, and identified instructional priorities.

• Provide leadership and direction for instructional coaches, building-level instructional leadership, and teacher leadership development .

• Oversee instructional technology and ensure technology systems and resources support effective teaching and learning.

• Provide leadership for student support, intervention, enrichment, acceleration, and at-risk programming.

• Provide oversight and coordination for academic programs including ELL, TAG, Title, Home School Assistance, alternative education, before and after school programming, and other programs as assigned.

• Collaborate with the Special Education Director to ensure academic systems and student support services are coordinated and aligned.

• Develop and monitor measurable academic goals, key performance indicators, and improvement strategies connected to the district strategic plan.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, instructional practices, curriculum resources, and professional learning initiatives.

• Develop systems for communicating academic priorities, progress, challenges, and results to staff, families, the Superintendent, Board of Education, and community.

• Develop and manage, in collaboration with the Superintendent and appropriate district leaders, the district academic budget and recommend appropriate allocation of instructional resources based upon student needs, district priorities, and available resources .

• Monitor state and federal academic requirements and ensure district programs and practices remain compliant.

• Stay current with research, educational trends, Iowa educational requirements, and emerging practices in teaching and learning.

• Serve as a member of the district leadership team and contribute to districtwide organizational planning, continuous improvement, and decision-making .

• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, staff, administrators, families, and community partners.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to drive decision-making in a variety of collaborative settings.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

ABILITIES:

This position will require physical demands that include constant standing, walking, reaching, pushing/pulling, lifting under 70 pounds, and carrying items at least 35 feet. There will be frequent climbing of stairs and manual dexterity tasks. There will be occasional sitting and vehicle driving. The working conditions will be constantly inside/outside with extremes of temperature and humidity.

• Work effectively in office, school, classroom, and community environments.

• Travel between district buildings and other locations as required.

• Attend meetings and professional activities outside the regular school day, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout school facilities as necessary to perform job functions.

• Use standard office, instructional, communication, assessment, and technology equipment.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

• Respond appropriately to changing priorities, emergencies, and other situations requiring immediate attention.

• Work effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and needs.

• Exercise sound professional judgment while maintaining appropriate confidentiality regarding student, personnel, and district information.

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION:

Required:

• Master's degree in educational leadership or a related field.

• Five years of successful experience as a building principal, district-level administrator, or comparable educational leadership position.

• Successful teaching experience.

• Holds and maintains a valid Iowa administrative license appropriate to the position.

• Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and student achievement systems.

Desired:

• Advanced degree in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.

• District-level administrative experience.

• Experience leading districtwide curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, or continuous improvement initiatives.

• Experience leading Professional Learning Communities, instructional teams, Collaborative Learning Teams, or similar collaborative structures.

• Experience working across multiple levels of public education, including elementary, middle school, and high school.

• Experience using student achievement and growth data to guide instructional decision-making.

• Experience with instructional coaching, teacher leadership, and adult learning.

• Experience with Iowa school improvement systems, state reporting requirements, and/or state and federal educational programs.

• Extensive hands- on IT experience with networking/servers/macos/IOS and Windows.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent in accordance with district administrative evaluation procedures and will be based upon the responsibilities, expectations, and performance indicators established for the position.

POSITION INVENTORY: Certified

FLSA STATUS:Exempt

FT/PT: FT

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job skills and functions, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Non-Discrimination Notice

It is the policy of the Fairfield Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and employment practices.

There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.

Questions or grievances related to this policy should be directed to:

Evan Marten

Equity Coordinator / Human Resources

403 S. 20th Street

Fairfield, IA 52556

641-472-2655

[email protected]