Superintendent of Catholic Schools

POSITION SUMMARY: The Superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools provides leadership, administrative expertise, operational direction, support and guidance to assist the diocesan schools to carry out the mission of Catholic education: to proclaim the Gospel message; to build community; to foster service and to celebrate worship.  The Superintendent as the representative of the Bishop is the chief administrator and supervisor of Maine Catholic Schools. That executive responsibility is exercised by direct delegation by the Bishop. The Superintendent carries out this catechetical and educational role by bringing vision, shared responsibility, and accountability to the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Portland.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Ensure that Catholic Schools in Maine are faithful to the teaching mission of the Church.
• Coordinate efforts to develop a vision and direction for Maine Catholic Schools.
• Nurture the dual purpose of providing an effective religious education and a quality academic education.
• Foster an empowering and enabling leadership style.
• Provide opportunities for the professional and spiritual growth of Maine Catholic School educators.
• Review scope and sequence of school curricula.
• Assist and advise regarding curriculum development.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the Maine Catholic Schools Office.
• Maintain and foster communication with school communities: clergy, administrators, faculties, boards, parents, students.
• Serve as educational liaison within the diocese, the state and national arenas.
• Establish professional requirements for diocesan professional educators.
• Monitor the professional certification of Maine Catholic School personnel:  administrators, teachers and educational technicians.
• Supervise and evaluate school administrators.
• Assist pastors in the process of selecting and hiring administrators.
• Provide programs of professional development for principals, new teachers, and school board members.
• Monitor the ongoing operations of the schools by means of school visitations.
• Keep abreast of educational research and relevant national and state legislation; and serve in an advocacy capacity concerning educational issues and coordinate diocesan efforts on their behalf.
• Collaborate with NCEA, USCCB, CACE, NECACE on matters which affect Maine Catholic Schools.
• Collaborate with various diocesan offices to foster the diocesan mission of evangelization.

 Planning Responsibilities:

• Actively encourage and enable schools to collaborate on planning for the future of Catholic education in Maine.
• Assist schools in meeting and maintaining accreditation standards.
• Assist schools in developing financial models which offer the greatest access to Catholic education.
• Encourage and assist with strategic planning at the diocesan, regional and local school levels.
• Gather and analyze data and statistical reports pertaining to education, particularly Catholic education.
• Analyze trends and propose alternatives for future educational opportunities.
• Develop instructional programs which promote the formation of the whole child.
• Assist with the preparation and review of local schools’ budgets.
• Encourage the growth of programs of donor development, planned giving, and annual appeals.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education or related field required.
• 10 years of experience in educational administration.
• Ability to supervise principals in collaboration with the pastors.
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.
• Possess or be able to obtain a Maine Superintendent Certification.
• Possess a thorough understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly as they relate to education.
• Be an active practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Possess strong administrative and organizational skills, especially in the areas of strategic planning, financial management, and leadership development.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, in particular the ability to articulate complex and at times emotionally-charged issues with clarity, empathy and accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a leader of a team in evaluating principals, financial and personnel problem solving, and otherwise offering professional advice to pastors, principals and the bishop.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel throughout the State to visit schools.
• Ability to keystroke 2-4 hours per day with reasonable breaks.
• Ability to sit 2-4 hours per day with reasonable breaks.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel occasionally.