Salary: $99,257.60 - $127,441.60 Annually
Location : John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26316
Department: Capital Projects & Planning
Opening Date: 08/12/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Subject Area: N/A - THIS IS NOT A TEACHING POSITION
FTE: 1.0

Overview of Position

This Educational Program Planner will lead the development of the educational specifications in collaboration with Capital Planning and work closely with Capital Project Managers in the implementation of the educational specifications when schools are being modernized or replaced to ensure academic objectives expressed in the educational specifications are being addressed. This position will focus on designing and constructing learning environments that reflect and respond to the unique user groups within the school's community and ensure understanding as to design intent and upon completion of construction develop a post occupancy survey to evaluate facility responsiveness to student academic performance and fiscal operational objectives. Collected post occupancy information will be utilized to refine educational specifications shaping the design of future facilities.

The Educational Program Planner is responsible for building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including building principals, building staff, central office educators and Capital Projects and Planning and Operations staff to assist with the design of new and modernized schools facilities and conduct post-occupancy evaluations of constructed facilities to confirm stated educational and operational goals are being achieved. This position will also lead the process concerning the development of the District's educational specifications (architectural program) for elementary schools, K-8 schools, middle schools and high schools to ensure developed documents are responsive to the goals and objectives of the educational program supporting identified academic goals in the built environment and operational goals.
The Educational Program Planner will work closely with building administrators to facilitate the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) to ensure understanding of the school's racial and ethnic make-up such that the design is culturally responsive in meeting the objectives of the educational program supporting identified academic goals for all students. This position will help inform community members, school staff, architects, and contractors involved in the school design process as to District academic goals and desired outcomes. Following project completion this position will work with the building administrators and staff to ensure understanding as to design intent, confirming the facility is being utilized in the manner in which it was intended and confirm if desired academic and operational outcomes are being achieved.

This position requires a deep understanding of K-12 education, relationship management, community engagement, design principles, and the use of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
Essential Functions

30%

• Carry out project and program goals and objectives considered important to the business unit or division within a department. Identify as-is and to-be business processes; ensure compliance with city/state/federal laws and regulations, while maintaining strong focus on delivering the desired benefits of the planned improvement or strategic initiative. Use project and program management methodologies to ensure projects/programs are run efficiently, delivering within targets for scope, schedule, budget and delivering expected benefits.

30%

• Apply data analytics, statistics, data development and reporting to support research and analysis. Act as central point of synthesis for information from multiple sources (external industry research, multiple internal customers, etc.). Help ensure quality and relevance of information used to support departmental and district decisions.

20%

• Engage in partnership with students, families and communities to identify needs, determine solutions, and support the implementation of the initiatives that will best meet the academic needs of students of color who are furthest from educational justice.

10%

• Facilitate project/program plan development with focus on established goals and objectives. Develop process documentation and update policies and procedures, as needed for the project or program. May include work on business case development, and feasibility studies for new initiatives.

10%

• Provide facilitation of meetings, workshops and planning sessions to build consensus, make decisions, and develop plans.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• May mentor other Continuous Improvement Analysts and Project Coordinators or business staff involved in project management
• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES
Managing Through Processes & Systems- Designs practices, processes, and procedures necessary to get things done; simplifies complex processes; gets more out of fewer.

• Sets clear, well-defined outcomes for desired results and tracks progress.
• Breaks down objectives into actionable steps with targeted deadlines.
• Leverages and uses resources efficiently and creatively to achieve desired outcomes.

Customer Focus - Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; acts with stakeholders in mind; values importance of providing high-quality customer service.

• Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of his/her actions.
• Thinks ahead and considers the impact of actions both internally and externally.
• Develops trust, credibility and maintains strong relationships with customers.
• Goes the extra mile to satisfy customer needs and expectations

Drive for Results - Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; does not give up before finishing, even in the face of resistance or setbacks' steadfastly pushes self and others for results.

• Sets and maintains high performance standards for self and others.
• Motivates others to convert ideas into actions and results.
• Recognizes and takes advantage of opportunities to deliver results.
• Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting things done.

Organizational Agility - Knowledgeable about how organizations work; gets things done both through formal and informal channels; effectively maneuvers through complex political situations.

• Understands the interests, motivations and agendas of others.
• Uses the "informal" channels to get things done without creating problems with the "formal" channels.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how actions may impact stakeholders.
• Makes comments that move the group or situations towards a productive outcome.

Managerial Courage - Tactfully dispenses direct and actionable feedback; is open and direct with others without being intimidating; deals head-on with people problems and prickly situations.

• Lets people know where they stand and faces up to people problems quickly, directly and respectfully.
• Responds constructively to challenging situations or people even under stress.
• Does not hold back on anything that needs be said or done in a productive and constructive way.

DISTRICT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES
Collaboration - Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented) - Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving - Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity - Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability -

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge

• K-12 educational understanding
• Design understanding
• Project management methodology
• Data analysis and reporting best practices
• Structured problem-solving techniques

Skills

• Systematic problem-solving skills. Experience with data analytics, statistics, and data insights reporting.
• Fully functional skills with data analysis, reporting and presentation tools such as Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, graphing, macros, formulas, linking multiple data sets, etc.)
• Demonstrated interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to negotiate and influence others.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Financial analysis skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook and Sharepoint.

Abilities

• Proven ability to work with others to develop strategies, implement best practices and process improvements.
• Able to work with school and operational leadership to translate business problems into specific questions, identify most relevant data to inform those questions, and synthesize data quickly to inform decisions.
• Ability to work collaboratively within groups and teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Five (5) or more years of direct work experience in a project or program management capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution; experience working in a K-12 Education environment preferred; Five years of experience preferred. Bachelor's degree in education, architecture, engineering, business administration or related field or completion of equivalent training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
K-12 or Project Management certification preferred

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING:
Continuing education in process improvement, project management, statistical or data analysis, business analysis or related subject areas preferred

CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check
Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click for an overview of available benefit options.

Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.

Salary Schedule
Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it
01

Are you a current Seattle Public Schools employee in a permanent FTE position?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are a current employee, what is your current job title? (Please type "N/A" if this question does not apply to you).
03

Do you hold a Bachelors degree in education, architecture, engineering, business administration or related field or completion of equivalent training?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have training in process improvement, project management, statistical or data analysis, business analysis or related subject areas ?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of direct work experience in a project or program management capacity (including all aspects of development and excecution) do you possess?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 or more years

06

Do you have experience working in a K-12 Education environment?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a K-12 or Project Management certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question