Associate Director of Policy & Investigations in Washington, District of Columbia at KIPP DC
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Job Description
Associate Director of Policy & Investigations
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Policy & Investigations is an integral part of the legal team, assisting in Title IX and bullying-related issues, student discipline appeal hearings, and investigations into student conduct matters, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations while upholding a fair and equitable approach to student policy enforcement and a safe learning environment. The starting salary range for this role is $94,082-$103,984. This is a full-time, hybrid flexibility role based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of Mid-August 2026.
About KIPP DC
For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.
Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.
As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.
About the Role
The Associate Director of Policy & Investigations on the legal team is responsible for handling Title IX and bullying-related issues, managing student discipline appeal hearings, and leading investigations into student conduct matters. You’ll ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations while working closely with legal and student support teams to address concerns and uphold a fair, equitable, and legally sound approach to student discipline and policy enforcement. You’ll play a critical role in safeguarding the organization's commitment to a safe and supportive learning environment.
Location and Type of Work
This is an exempt position and will report to the Director of Student Policy. As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position’s work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 2 days per week.
Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.
Supporting the Director of Student Policy and School Leaders with student discipline policies and investigations (50%)
- Facilitate and participate in school-level discipline hearings and appeals
- Lead investigations and ensure that proper discipline documentation is in place
- Support sensitive student/parent issues and processes, including the student discipline process (as KIPP DC’s disciplinary officer), student issues relating to social services and MPD, and parent/guardian complaints
- Support trainings for School Leaders and staff regarding discipline law and KIPP DC best practices around student discipline and documentation
- Assist with school barring and welcome back processes
- Assist with bullying investigations and safety plans
- Support student investigations in coordination with school leadership.
- Assist the Director of Student Policy with external investigations related to school-based issues, including those conducted by MPD and OAG.
- Facilitate and participate in family meetings on sensitive topics as requested by School Leaders and Academic Leadership.
- Support coordination of and monitoring compliance with Title IX.
- Assist with Title IX grievance processes for students, faculty, and staff.
- Support prevention efforts to avoid Title IX violations through training and awareness campaigns.
- Investigate discrimination complaints brought by students regarding sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
- Assist the Director of Student Policy with designing and delivering professional development sessions for staff on topics such as student discipline laws, bullying prevention, trauma-informed investigation practices, and data documentation.
- Serve as a resource for school leaders and staff on complex student discipline and policy questions.
- Enter and manage data for legal and student discipline matters to ensure accuracy and completeness in tracking and reporting systems.
- Provide administrative and organizational support to the legal team, including maintaining case files and documentation.
- Assist with reviewing and organizing legal documents, reports, and policies.
- Conduct preliminary research to support ongoing investigations or legal matters.
Requirements & Preferences
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree
- A minimum of 5 years of experience working in education or with schools/school systems
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Exceptional organizational skills and a strong attention to detail
- Proficiency in data entry and database management
Preferred Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master’s degree in Policy or Education preferred
- Experience with investigating student complaints
- At least 3 years experience doing legal compliance
- Familiarity with Title IX preferred
- Strong ability to manage up and exercise judgment in difficult situations
- A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture
- Ability to constantly prioritize workflow and make hard trade-offs
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel to KIPP DC schools and the headquarters office as needed
Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:
- Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
- Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
- Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
- Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
- Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
- Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
- Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
- Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.
Benefits & Compensation
KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:
- The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $94,082-$103,984. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
- KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
- KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.
Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.
Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.