IRVING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

K-12 Science And Innovation Job Description

JOB TITLE: K-12 Science & Innovation Director

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction

PAY GRADE: 7 (230 Days)

DEPARTMENT: Curriculum and Instruction

DATE REVISED: June 2026

Primary Purpose

Leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of a coherent K–12 Science, Gifted and Talented, Advanced Academics, and Innovation system anchored in high-quality instructional materials and the district’s instructional framework. This role ensures that Science, Gifted and Talented, Advanced Academics, and Innovation instruction across all grade levels is rigorous, standards-aligned, and consistently executed, with strong lesson internalization and the use of common assessments and data practices to drive instructional response. The Director ensures the design, writing, and refinement of high-quality lessons and instructional resources that enable teachers to deeply internalize content and deliver instruction effectively.

Supervises Science, Gifted and Talented, Advanced Academics, and Innovation coordinators and specialists, and is responsible for aligning curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning into a unified system—eliminating fragmentation and ensuring that all students, including emergent bilinguals and students with disabilities, access grade-level content with appropriate scaffolds that maintain rigor. Ensures that assessment systems, instructional resources, and professional learning are aligned to support effective lesson delivery and instructional response, and that campuses are equipped with the tools and clarity needed to implement with fidelity.

Qualifications

Education:

• Masters degree is required.
• Major in Education, Science, or a content-related field preferred.
• Alternative certification candidates will be considered as long as work experience aligns with the supervised subjects.
  
  

Certificate/License

• Valid Texas Teaching Certification in Science or GT /Advanced Academics preferred.
• Able to get the 30 Gifted and Talented hours during the first 90 days on the job.
  
  

Major Responsibilities And Duties

• Collaborates across Curriculum & Instruction, School Leadership, and other departments to ensure HQIM, Science and GT/AA and Innovation priorities, and instructional support are aligned into a unified system.
• Leads the design and implementation of districtwide Science and GT/Innovation curriculum and common assessments for K–12, grounded in high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and evidence-based disciplinary practices.
• Supervises, coaches, and evaluates Science and GT/Innovation coordinators and specialists, ensuring a high-performance culture through clear expectations, strong performance management, and accountability for quality, timelines, and impact.
• Guides the design, writing, and refinement of HQIM-aligned lessons and instructional resources that drive deep teacher internalization and effective, rigorous lesson delivery across both content areas.
• Ensures scaffolds are intentionally designed and embedded within HQIM-aligned lessons to increase access for all students—including emergent bilinguals and students with disabilities—without reducing rigor.
• Ensures coordinators are aligned with HQIM implementation, curriculum design, and instructional priorities, and produce high-quality outputs that drive teacher and student outcomes in Science and GT/Innovation.
• Ensures instructional coherence across all grade levels through consistent use of HQIM, aligned lesson design, and the District’s Instructional Framework in both Science and GT/Innovation.
• Ensures all lessons and instructional resources are tightly aligned to HQIM, reflect best-in-class Science and GT/Innovation practices, and are built for strong Tier 1 instruction for all students.
• Designs and implements assessment systems, including common assessments and Demonstrations of Learning (DOLs), aligned to HQIM and grade-level standards in Science and GT/Innovation to measure mastery and inform instructional refinement.
• Analyzes instructional and program data to evaluate progress toward goals and identify areas for improvement in HQIM implementation, lesson quality, and student outcomes across both content areas.
• Monitors the overall impact of Science and GT/Innovation initiatives, ensuring alignment to district goals and measurable outcomes.
• Shares progress reports and ensures the development of aligned action steps to address identified needs in Science and GT/Innovation implementation.
• Supports the integration of disciplinary literacy, inquiry-based learning, and culturally responsive content to strengthen student engagement and achievement in Science and GT/Innovation.
• Supports the implementation of extended learning opportunities in collaboration with district personnel and community partners, aligned to Science and GT/Innovation priorities and HQIM.
• Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of the role, including regular campus visits, professional learning sessions, and occasional evenings or weekends to support district priorities and ensure high-quality implementation.
• Establishes and maintains systems to monitor curriculum quality, fidelity of HQIM implementation, strength of Tier 1 instruction, and impact on student achievement across K–12 in both Science and GT/Innovation.
• Ensures professional learning is tightly aligned to HQIM, the District’s Instructional Framework, and Science and GT/Innovation priorities, directly supporting effective lesson internalization and delivery.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in education, including a combination of classroom, campus, district, or related leadership roles required.
• At least 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience in Science or GT/Innovation, with a verifiable track record of driving strong student outcomes required.
• At least 2 years of instructional leadership experience at the campus or central office level required.
• Demonstrated, verifiable track record of driving measurable improvements in student achievement in school and/or district central office settings within the past 5 years required.
• Experience in curriculum design and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) at campus and/or district level preferred.
• Experience leading instructional work across multiple schools or teams, including managing through indirect authority, preferred.
• Experience leading or coordinating across multiple content areas, particularly Science and GT/Innovation, preferred.
  
  

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and mouse use; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.
  
  

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Contribute to preventing accidents and injuries by observing safety rules and District policy, practicing the principles and skills taught in safety training, wearing personal protective equipment as required, reporting injuries and incidents immediately to a supervisor, and being proactive in ongoing efforts to improve workplace safety.