| Overview: NWAIS is an eight-state, regional accrediting association of approximately 115 independent elementary and secondary schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. NWAIS’ mission is to promote the ongoing development of its member schools and advance independent school education by: supporting schools in achieving their missions; cultivating excellence in school leadership; furthering diversity, equity and inclusion; encouraging free and open inquiry; fostering collegial and collaborative relationships; and championing our public purpose. NWAIS and its member schools view accreditation as the single most powerful lever for school improvement. The Director of Accreditation plays a critical role in ensuring that it is. Responsibilities: The Director of Accreditation reports to and works with the Executive Director in maintaining and enhancing the quality and promotion of the Association’s accreditation services by: 1. Understanding and embracing all aspects of the NWAIS accreditation process and serving as primary contact for all questions related to the self study process, accreditation visit and any required follow-up. 2. Overseeing the web-based accreditation portal, including managing a web developer/programmer. 3. Providing support to schools throughout their accreditation cycle, particularly as they go through the self study process, host a visiting team, and compile their response report. 4. Identifying and recruiting all accreditation visiting team members. 5. Providing support to visiting team chairs from the early planning stages of a visit through to the presentation of the visiting team report to the NWAIS Accreditation Committee. 6. Coordinating the work of the Accreditation Committee and Standards and Practices Sub-Committee in the ongoing review of accreditation reports and recommended changes to the Association’s accreditation standards, policies, and procedures. 7. Creating and leading training opportunities for self study coordinators and visiting team chairs and members. 8. Overseeing the Association’s reports to the NWAIS Board in collaboration with the Executive Director, and the chairs of the Accreditation Committee and Standards and Practices Sub-Committee. 9. Pursuing professional development to improve performance, and to track trends in education and consider their possible impact on accreditation and/or the work of the association. 10. Updating the Association’s Accreditation Handbook and Self Study Manual as necessary. | 
