STAUNTON CITY SCHOOLS

 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

 

Staunton City Schools, located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of Director of Operations.  Come join our highly professional and nationally recognized team dedicated to serving over 2700 students and 600 employees. We see Staunton City Schools as an employer of choice, providing a positive work environment that values the knowledge, talents, skills and abilities of employees as they work toward accomplishing the mission of Staunton City Schools. The City of Staunton, with a relatively low cost of living, is known for its history, architecture, arts and cultural and culinary delights.

 

“One of the prettiest and most progressive towns in the South” and “20 charming mountain towns to visit this fall”—Southern Living

 

The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership, management, and oversight for the school division's non-instructional support departments. This includes Pupil Transportation, Plant Services (Facilities, Maintenance, and Custodial), School Safety and Security, and Capital Improvement Projects. The Director serves as the Emergency Manager for Staunton City Schools and is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring operational systems that guarantee a safe, clean, energy-efficient, and supportive learning environment for all students and staff, while ensuring absolute compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

 

The selected candidate must possess a blend of operational expertise and educational insight. Keys skills include forming personal relationships, colloborating with various stakeholders, and being part of the executive leadership team to drive the division forward. 

 

Essential Functions:

 

 

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

 

Facilities, Maintenance and Capital Improvement

• Long-Range Planning: Develop and execute the division's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for new school construction, modernizing aging facilities, and executing major building renovations.


• Property Maintenance: Oversee routines and preventive maintenance schedules for all physical plants, grounds, and structural assets including school nutrition equipment. Conduct regular physical inspections to verify cleanliness, safety, and operational efficiency.


• Contractor Oversight: Supervise outsourced construction, architectural, and engineering services. Inspect ongoing vendor work to verify compliance with contractual terms before authorizing payment.


• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all division facilities adhere to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and OSHA standards.

Pupil Transportation & Fleet Management

• Logistical Oversight: Provide directional leadership to the Transportation Department to ensure safe, timely, and efficient routing for all eligible K-12 students.


• Fleet Lifecycle Planning: Maintain comprehensive replacement, upgrading, and maintenance plans for the division’s school bus fleet and support vehicles.


• Compliance & Safety: Monitor strict compliance with Virginia Board of Education and the Department of Transportation regulations regarding bus driver physical/drug/alcohol screenings, training, certification, and state physical/safety protocols.

School Safety, Security & Emergency Management

• Crisis Management: In conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, partners with building principals and local Virginia law enforcement/emergency services to establish, review, and update school crisis and emergency evacuation plans.


• Security Infrastructure: Oversee the operation and maintenance of physical security systems, including access control, surveillance cameras, and communication networks.


• Drill Protocols: In conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, ensures all state-mandated fire, tornado, and active threat drills are systematically executed and documented across all campus sites.


• Emergency Manager: As the Emergency Manager and liaison for SCS, the Director of Operations establishes and maintains positive relationships with law enforcement and all first responders.  

Fiscal Management, Procurement & Policy

• Budgeting: Formulate, justify, and monitor the annual operational budgets for all assigned departments.

• Virginia Procurement Act: In collaboration with the City of Staunton’s procurement department, the Director of Operations directs purchasing pipelines and vendor selections in rigid compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), reviewing complex requests for proposals (RFPs) and contracts. Leads the procurement and management of third-party contracts related to facilities, maintenance and fleet management.

• School Board Advisory: Attend School Board sessions as directed by the Superintendent. Prepare and present comprehensive analytical data reports, status updates, and policy recommendations.

 

Personnel & Administration

• Selects, trains, disciplines, evaluates and supervises employees to ensure that department objectives are met; responsible for staff selection, hiring, training, evaluating and discipline.


• Develops operational priorities, goals, and objectives under the direction of the Division Superintendent.


• Oversees and trains supervisory staff on proper purchasing procedures; coordinates all purchasing requirements and develops requisitions for materials and supplies.


• Develops, revises and implements division standard operating procedures and recurring maintenance programs.


• Supervises inventory of parts and supplies; maintains databases and other computer inventories.


• Develops project cost estimates to include bill of materials, equipment and man-hours.

Stakeholder Relations & Other

• Represents the department at meetings and on committees.


• Responds to and resolves inquiries, complaints, and service requests from a variety of stakeholders including employees, parents, citizens and elected officials; ensures customers receive prompt, courteous and accurate service.


• Assists other school departments with operations-related information.


• Provides technical expertise in proper maintenance and operational functions to minimize service interruption.


• Adheres to all school and departmental guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure equitable treatment of employees.


• Acts as the operational liaison for all internal and external stakeholders.


• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.


• Other duties as assigned.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Regulatory and Safety Expertise: Deep understanding of state and federal building codes, educational construction benchmarks, EPA environmental health guidelines, and state pupil transportation statutes. Comprehensive knowledge of security and school safety proctols.


• Strategic Execution: Highly organized project manager capable of managing overlapping, complex timelines across multiple physical properties.


• Interpersonal Excellence: Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of cultivating collaborative relationships with teachers, administrative executives, parents, local government staff, and the public.

 

Education and/or Experience:

 

Minimum education of a high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. An associate's degree in a technical field, or equivalent, is required.  Requires a minimum of four to five years of school operations, corporate facilities administration or municipal management experience, (or equivalent). Must have demonstrated experience in supervision with strong leadership and budgetary and management skills. Experience with building construction and HVAC is preferred.

 

Excellent benefits include participation in the Virginia Retirement System, paid-time off, group life insurance, medical insurance, professional dues, and conference expenses.

 

For a complete job description, please contact Jonathan Venn, Chief Human Resources Officer.

 

Criminal background check is required.

                                                                                 

FLSA:                 Exempt

Grade:                2633 (12-month/260 days)

Hiring Range:      $130,000 to $160,000 DOE/DOQ

Start Date:          On or around mid to late July 2026 or negotiable

Reports To:         Division Superintendent

                                                                                 

The recruitment will remain open until filled.  Interested applicants should submit an online application and resume no later than June 23, 2026. Note, this is NOT a remote position.

 

Jonathan Venn, Chief Human Resources Officer

City of Staunton/Staunton City Schools

116 West Beverley St (Human Resources, 2^nd Floor City Hall)

Staunton, VA. 24401

540-332-3914

[email protected] 

 

Staunton City Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is fully committed to the principles and practices of equal employment.