The International American School of Guatemala- … · The International American School of Guatemala- Colegio Maya Seeks an IT Manager Effective June, 2018 Contract form: Full-time

The International American School of Guatemala- Colegio Maya

Seeks an IT Manager

Effective June, 2018 Contract form: Full-time

Reports to: School Director

The School Colegio Maya, The American International School of Guatemala, was founded in 1958 and is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. Colegio Maya is accredited by AdvancED and the Ministry of Education of Guatemala. With approximately 350 students representing 38 countries, Colegio Maya seeks to foster a community that inspires excellence in every learner by developing their unique mind, body and character to become independent value-driven citizens.

Instruction is in English with the exception of World Language classes. The school year is broken into two semesters extending from the second week of August to the third week of December and from the second week of January to the first week of June. The community truly values diversity and seeks excellence. Through educational programs and values, each student is encouraged to find his/ her own voice and to develop leadership capabilities. Beliefs are based in actions: fostering, celebrating, creating, encouraging, preparing, stimulating and affirming. "Non-negotiables" include small classes with an average size between 12 and 18 students, ongoing staff development, celebration of diversity, and a commitment that fosters true action towards a sustainable future for all. Colegio Maya Vision

A community that inspires excellence in every learner by developing their unique mind, body and character to become independent value-driven citizens.

The Setting 

Guatemala City, the largest city in Central America, is located in the center highland region of Guatemala and is the capital of this fascinating country. Often called "The Land of Eternal Spring," Guatemala City, at 5,000 feet above sea level, has pleasant weather all year-round. Guatemala City is the heart of the nation's cultural, political, and commercial activities, and home to over three million people. Its architecture is a mixture of old and new, with modern buildings, Spanish colonial structures, rundown neighborhoods and ancient ruins. Guatemala's culture is a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial influences. Some of Guatemala’s rural areas have maintained a large indigenous Mayan population with a distinct identity -- speaking over 23 different languages, following traditional religious and village customs, and continuing a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. Staff will often take trips to nearby Antigua, Lake Atitlan, climb volcanoes or visit many of the ancient ruins preserved in this beautiful country. Campus and Facilities The school is located on the outskirts of Guatemala City but well within the metropolitan area. Within the school facilities there are science laboratories, a technology resource center, secondary and elementary media centers, an elementary and a secondary library, computer learning center, a soccer/football field, and a covered outdoor court. The state-of-the-art Performing Fine Arts Center was opened in 2006 and provides the school with a 336 seat theater complete with dressing rooms and ample set and costume storage space. It also includes learning space specifically designed to teach art, drama and music.

Colegio Maya is currently embarking on a building project that will make a major impact on the learning on campus. The innovation hub will be a campus center piece focused on collaborative, flexible, tech infused learning spaces where students can engage in activities including robotics, video production, 3D printing, food technology, workshops and much more. This space will allow and empower students to collaborate and be creative in working towards solutions to today's most complex issues.

Students At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, enrollment was approximately 355 students (PK- grade 5: 163 students; grades 6-8: 85 students; grades 9-12: 107 students). Of the total, 109 students were U.S. citizens, 94 students were host-country nationals, and 152 students were third-country nationals, representing 35 other countries.

Curriculum The School offers a complete integrated curriculum focused on real world learning experiences. Colegio Maya is part of a global movement, the Common Ground Collaborative which focuses on deep conceptual, competency and character based learning experiences. Spanish is required for one class period daily for all students in grades 1-5. All other instruction is in English except for world language classes. Presently, special services are offered to students with mild to moderate learning support needs and English as a Second Language. The student activities program is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum and is treated as such by the administration and staff. The school is recognized and authorized by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and is fully accredited by AdvancED. Learning at Colegio Maya Here at Colegio Maya we ask ourselves this very important question every day, “What is most important to learn?” It drives our decision making processes and allows us to adapt the learning program to the needs of every individual learner. We believe that learning in schools has a history of being unnecessarily complicated, disconnected from the real world, and not deep enough to inspire the type of learning students really require to tackle this complex world. We believe in providing deep inquiry experiences and a rock solid foundation in numeracy and literacy for every student. With our approach to learning, we believe students will find success wherever their path may lead. To achieve deep, meaningful learning we at Colegio set up all of our learning experiences based on 4 D’s and 3C’s. Learning experiences are guided by our 4 D’s

DEFINING Learning

What is learning and how do we do it?

DESIGNING Learning What’s worth learning and how do the pieces fit? DELIVERING Learning How do we teach for learning and create learning cultures? DEMONSTRATING Learning How do we know what we’ve learned and let others know?

We can never be effective in making learning happen until we decide what it actually is, and use simple, common language to define it. At Colegio Maya we define learning as follows:

Learning is a process that leads to a sustained and demonstrable consolidation or extension of conceptual understanding, competencies, or character. We focus on the learning that matters most. Our learner profile looks like this: At Colegio Maya, we are capacity builders, working with our students to develop them into self-directed learners who consistently demonstrate: Conceptual thinking: they are experts in working with significant ideas. Specifically, they are able to:

● Identify issues ● Frame conceptual questions ● Gather and analyse information ● Form hypotheses ● Test and modify these hypotheses in a range of contexts

Critical Competencies: they are experts in the application of the key skills necessary for success. They are able to:

● Self Manage - (direct their own guided inquiry processes, be organized) ● Collaborate - (collaborate effectively and efficiently in diverse contexts) ● Communicate - (use language fluently and precisely for a range of purposes within a range of

contexts, reading, writing, speaking, connecting) ● Think Critically - (research, inquiry, questioning, problem solving) ● Be Creative - (innovate, tackle complexity, curiosity, imagination)

Positive Character: they are experts in the business of being human. They consistently demonstrate positive learning dispositions and core personal values: They are:

● Principled (Integrity, Honesty, Trust) ● Resilient (Perseverance) ● Reflective (Self Awareness) ● Caring (Empathy, Service)

Faculty and Administration In the 2016-2017 school year, there are 43 full-time faculty members and 6 part-time faculty members including 28 U.S. citizens, 8 third-country nationals, and 13 host-country nationals.

Governance The School is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected for two-year terms by the Colegio Maya Association. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. Salary and Benefits The salary will be competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Colegio Maya IT Manager Job Description

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or equivalent 2. Minimum 2 years in management of technology and computer systems experience. Preferred experience

is in an educational setting. Classroom experience also preferred 3. Proven ability to formulate and articulate strategic technology vision consistent with the mission, vision

and strategic plan of Colegio Maya 4. Demonstrates an understanding of the unique needs related to IT in an educational environment 5. Bilingual proficiency in the Spanish/English languages 6. Demonstrated successful leadership, organization and management 7. Experience managing heterogeneous network environments; especially administering Microsoft

Windows networks and Windows Server products, Linux servers and networking appliances 8. Experience working and troubleshooting client operating systems, popular computer user applications,

programming experience desirable but not essential

JOB SUMMARY The Information Technology Manager is responsible for organizing and administering the school’s academic and administrative information technology (IT) systems including data systems, hardware, software, and audio visual equipment and for working with the academic team in the area of classroom integration of instructional technology and curriculum by selecting and integrating appropriate equipment and applications and by developing and managing a program of professional development for classroom teachers. The IT Manager will also be required to provide the overall leadership and visionary direction as is required in this area of the schools operation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership:

1. Collaborates with IT team, IT teachers, Principals and Administration to ensure the productive and efficient use of information technologies throughout the school’s programs and operations.

2. Collaborates with IT teachers, and Principals to develop, review and integrate IT standards, benchmarks and proficiencies in learning and teaching practices, as articulated in curriculum unit plans.

3. Leads and coordinates an annual review of the IT Strategic Plan 4. Assists with the recruitment, development, assignment and evaluation of IT support staff.

5. Serves as a resource to staff to determine hardware/software compatibility, to evaluate computer software, multi-media, telecommunications, and other technology resources to determine curricular applications, and to learn how to use and integrate computer/technology equipment and software applications.

6. Provide for positive public information about the school’s technology programs. 7. Collaborates with colleagues, uses support staff appropriately and exhibits a team centered

collaborative approach to leadership. 8. Assigns technology staff priorities and activities while overseeing the completion of work

Systems Management:

1. Manages and supervises construction, installation, implementation and development of all school IT hardware and software projects and systems.

2. Experience managing wifi networks. 3. Supervises and inspects work performed by outside IT contractors for all hardware and

software systems, and verifies that the contract terms have been fulfilled. 4. Manages the maintenance and support contracts for all school wide hardware systems,

including: servers, switches, UPS, firewall, data backup systems. 5. Analyzes information to determine, recommend, and plan layout for type of computers and

peripheral equipment, or modifications to existing equipment and systems, that will provide capability for new or upgraded networks, while maintaining efficient operation and effective use of space.

6. Develops and maintains records for the school’s IT systems including blueprints, plans, specifications, bids, hardware inventory, software license inventory and other pertinent information relative to IT hardware and software systems.

7. Reviews computer and peripheral equipment use, malfunction, and maintenance to ascertain costs and plan operating changes.

8. Manages the planning and implementation of security systems for IT hardware and software systems.

9. Oversees the maintenance and updating of network logins including changing passwords, setting up classes and assisting staff and students who are unable to log onto the network

9. Oversees the school website and other web-based communication platforms. 10. Collaborates with the principals and business manager to supervise the implementation and

ongoing development of administrative and instructional software systems. 11. Manages, implementation, ongoing development, preventative maintenance, repair, and work

order scheduling program for the school’s IT hardware and software systems 12. Strong knowledge of MySQL, Oracle, Google Apps for Education, Cloud Computing and

Student Information Systems. Budget:

1. Consults with administrators, teachers and the IT coordinator to define equipment needs. 2. Collaborates with the business manager to prepare requests for proposals, tenders and contract

documentation for IT purchases and projects 3. Manages the purchasing and support contracts for all school wide software licenses.

Professional Development: 1. Provides leadership to teaching staff in best use of technology to support student learning 2. Collaborates with the Leadership Team to develop and coordinate ongoing IT professional

development programs to support the integration of IT into learning and teaching practices, as articulated in curriculum unit plans based on knowledge of identified training needs

3. Collaborates with the Director and Business Manager to organize and implement an in-service training program for IT department support team

4. Stays up-do-date with new hardware, software and upgrades and encourages staff experimentation

Documentation:

1. Overseeing the schools Acceptable Use Policy and all procedures and protocols for safe and appropriate technology use in the school

2. Establishes system-wide software and hardware standards requirements and specifications 3. Oversees the regular collection of data relating to tablet/laptop use by teachers and students 4. Ensures that there are clear operating guidelines available for all systems

Other duties:

1. Perform a comprehensive technology audit. 2. Develop a strategic technology plan consistent with the mission and vision strategic plan the

board is undertaking. 3. Other duties as designated by the Director.

Procedure for Filing Application Interested candidates should send an application at the earliest possible opportunity. Candidates should note that in the event an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, Colegio Maya reserves the right to make an appointment at any time. For this reason, it is very important that interested candidates apply as soon as possible.

● A letter of application, no longer than two pages, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Colegio Maya position

● A current résumé not to exceed two pages ● A one-page list of at least three referees with current phone numbers and email addresses ● A maximum of four letters of reference (scanned at low resolution) which may already be in your

possession Please note that all materials must be scanned into a single pdf attachment of 4MB or less and sent to the director [email protected] and cc’d to [email protected] . For further information about The American International School of Guatemala- Colegio Maya, please see the school's website: www.cm.edu.gt The review of candidates will begin as soon as applications are received. Skype video interviews of candidates will take place on a rolling basis and might be scheduled for selected candidates soon after their applications are received.