The Project Director III - Comprehensive Health will lead the Physical Education, Comprehensive Health, Nutrition and Wellness, and Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) programs in the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services. This role provides forward-thinking leadership and comprehensive oversight to coordinate programs, services and technical assistance across content areas, ensure intentional program integration, promote effective curriculum alignment, and support student health education, wellness, and academic success. The Project Director III will ensure intentional alignment with both the California Health Education Framework and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model to enhance health education and learning outcomes. Critical to this position is providing guidance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in integrating equitable health education and wellness initiatives into the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), fostering inclusivity and cultural responsiveness to support diverse student populations. In alignment with both the California Health Education Framework and the WSCC model, this position oversees the implementation of a comprehensive, integrated framework that promotes equitable, research-based strategies by connecting wellness initiatives with educational goals. The Project Director lll will assist LEA administrators in navigating education priorities and compliance requirements, leveraging overlaps between wellness programs and accountability goals to enhance a culture of care. Additionally, the role involves building capacity within and across LACOE units to embed WSCC strategies, fostering partnerships among internal programs, schools, and community organizations, and using data-driven evaluation to refine and improve health and wellness outcomes continuously.  The Project Director III will make critical decisions that impact the goals, organization, and administration of educational programs across LEAs. This position will engage regularly with educational leaders, California Department of Education staff, and policymakers. Critically, the Project Director III collaborates with internal teams to assess unit needs and develop plans to strengthen and coordinate programs, including those focused on at promise learners and addressing the achievement gap. 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Leadership and Oversight: Provide strategic leadership and management for the Physical Education and Comprehensive Health, Nutrition and Wellness, and TUPE programs. Ensure these units function cohesively around the California Health Education Framework to achieve the division's objectives of promoting student well-being, preventing chronic diseases, in order to enhance academic success and increased student outcomes.
• Professional Development: Coordinate and evaluate professional development and technical assistance for LEAs in Comprehensive Health, aligned with current standards, Framework, and best practices.
• Equity in Health Education: Provide expert guidance to LEAs on integrating equitable health education and wellness initiatives into the LCAP. Support LEAs in developing and implementing strategies that address health disparities, promote inclusivity, and ensure all students have access to high-quality, culturally responsive health and wellness programs. Ensure alignment with state priorities and the California Health Education Framework to foster equitable outcomes for diverse student populations.
• California Health Education Framework Implementation: Lead the implementation of the comprehensive and integrated Health Education Framework that integrates content-specific skills and strategies to improve student outcomes and align health education and wellness initiatives with educational goals.
• Guidance on Education Priorities and Compliance: Support LEA administrators in understanding and navigating state, local, and federal education priorities as they relate to health education and wellness initiatives. Identify and communicate key areas of overlap between wellness programs and compliance requirements, demonstrating how these intersections can enhance a culture of care and well-being within schools. Provide strategic insight on integrating wellness initiatives in ways that support accountability goals, align with funding opportunities, and foster a supportive, health focused learning environment for all students.
• Capacity Building: Build capacity within the programs to effectively integrate and implement the Health Education Framework and WSCC strategies and practices, ensuring they are embedded within the curriculum to foster a holistic approach to student health and learning.
• Collaboration and Partnership Development: Foster collaboration among internal programs, LACOE Units, schools, community organizations, and families to support student success. Build strong partnerships to enhance program effectiveness and reach.
• Evaluation and Continuous Improvement: Use data-driven insights to evaluate the effectiveness of Health Education Framework and WSCC initiatives and refine strategies to enhance student health and educational outcomes continuously. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• California Education Code; California Administrative Code; policies, rules, and regulations of the office;
• State, local and federal education priorities, and key areas of overlap between wellness initiatives and compliance requirements that could strengthen the culture of care within our schools; 
• Federal and state laws; Education Code related to programs supervised: TUPE, Nutrition and Wellness, and Physical Education and Comprehensive Health;
• Knowledge and skills outlined in the California Health Education Framework;
• Current research, principles, practices, instructional strategies, and methods applicable to the education of at-promise learners;
• Implementation of research- and standards-based instructional systems;
• Adult learning theory and effective methods of professional development, group facilitation, and research-based instructional strategies and skills;
• Effective management and administrative skills regarding planning, budgeting, monitoring, and program implementation;
• Effective leadership practices, supervision, and staff coaching skills;
• WSCC Model; and 
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. 

Ability to:

• Effectively coordinate multiple programs around a common vision; 
• Effectively communicate and coordinate program-related work around key concepts outlined in the Health Framework; 
• Interpret and analyze current and proposed state and federal legislation related to the education of at-promise learners;
• Plan and develop comprehensive training programs in program design, leadership, curriculum, instruction, and assessment for administrators and teachers working with at-promise learners;
• Plan, coordinate, and lead a variety of meetings, workshops, and conferences via in-person, virtual and hybrid delivery;
• Effectively coordinate and evaluate the work of staff;
• Plan and implement activities, processes, and procedures designed to ensure the completion of established goals and objectives;
• Develop, monitor, and negotiate service contracts with outside professional and technical staff;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, clients and customers, and other key educational partners;
• Supervise, monitor, and maintain fiscal solvency of entrepreneurial and grant budgets;
• Supervise and maintain unit websites and learning platforms such as Canvas, Google Workspace for Education, or other; 
• Effectively and efficiently train, supervise, and evaluate personnel; and 
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

EXPERIENCE:

Five or more years of directly related school and district level administrative experience. At least three years of site administrative experience is required.  County or state-level experience desirable for this position.

EDUCATION:

A Master’s degree or higher in education from an institution of higher learning accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

About Los Angeles County Office of Education

Welcome to the Los Angeles County Office of Education! Thank you for your interest in joining the LACOE family. We are proud of the fact that we have talented staff, excellent growth opportunities, outstanding support and an invigorating mission. The primary function of LACOE is to service and support 79 K-12 school districts along with numerous other agencies, as we ensure educational excellence for the region’s two-million preschool and school-aged children. LACOE serves others by building capacity in our employees, being responsive to the needs of our customers and modeling integrity and respect in our actions and communications. We enhance our role through partnering with our communities, County and other educational institutions to provide outreach, support and specialized services. It is our mission to improve the lives of students and our educational community through our service, leadership and advocacy. We are seeking talented individuals who support our vision and strategic plan that encompasses “A Culture of Excellence in ALL We Do.”

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